BHS Announcements: Why it's Happening, and How it's Going
- McKinley Owczarski
- Feb 10
- 3 min read
At Blacksburg High School, a subtle but impactful change has recently reshaped how students and staff interact with the daily announcements. Previously delivered during the first block, announcements have now shifted to Bruin Block, a move aimed at preserving instructional time and ensuring students are better informed. But what led to this decision, and how is the new system being received by the BHS community?
Keith Palmer (Assistant Principal) explained, “It is important that we utilize as much instructional time as we possibly can. Announcements cut into that time, therefore announcements during Bruin Block help us to preserve time needed for instruction during regular classes.” He elaborated that even a three-minute announcement can lead to significant instructional loss over weeks. By moving announcements to a period dedicated to enrichment and remediation rather than direct instruction, the school ensures that valuable teaching time isn’t interrupted.
Maureen Powers (Assistant Principal) shared similar thoughts, pointing out the benefits for both students and staff. “Many students, especially seniors, have late arrivals, and their first class doesn’t start until later. Also, using the first block daily loses instructional time for that class. Since students will not miss out on new instruction, moving announcements to Bruin Block and ensuring that most of our students are present are the benefits."
Bruin Block is where most students are already present, so it offers a more inclusive platform for school-wide information.
Implementing the change, according to staff, was surprisingly smooth. “There were no challenges,” said Palmer.
Powers added that feedback has been positive so far, with teachers appreciating the preserved instructional time. However, there were some logistical hurdles to address.
Chris Stewart (Principal) shared, “Challenges included communicating with Ms. Noble to ensure she knew the plan. There are a lot of moving pieces at BHS.”
The issue of students missing announcements due to early dismissal remains; it's the same problem of students with late arrivals under the old system. To counter this, announcements are also posted on social media, ensuring accessibility for all.
Naveed Jantzen (11), one of the iconic student voices behind the daily announcements, offered a unique perspective on the change. Known for his unique delivery and signature hand gestures, Jantzen sees the shift as an opportunity. “In my three years of high school, morning announcements seemed to have been getting longer and longer, so I don’t mind them switching to Bruin Block—and it gives me more time to yap,” he joked. While he acknowledged that some students and teachers have mixed feelings about the change, he believes the initial resistance is typical. “Large crowds essentially by default respond to change negatively, so I would give it some time before we really see what people think about the new system,” he explained.
Jantzen’s path to getting this role in our announcements was a lucky one. “I was originally drafted to announcements from my officer position at SCA, but I’ve since learned to absolutely love it,” he said. His distinctive voice, funnily enough inspired by a Trump impression, has become an essential component of his delivery. “I just try to make everyone’s day and maybe get them to pay attention with my unconventional methods,” he added.
As for the permanence of this change, the general consensus among administrators is that it’s here to stay. “I think this will be a permanent change,” said Deborah Showalter (Assistant Principal).
“Adjustments happen if needed. If there is a need for an announcement and it’s not during Bruin Block, we will make it.” Powers mentioned.
Palmer also talked about the school’s flexibility, stating, “Change can always occur if there’s an idea or reason that behooves us to make a change.”
Ultimately, the success of this new announcement system depends on student engagement. Showalter emphasized the importance of listening carefully to the announcements to avoid missing important information. Stewart, too, encourages students to embrace the change and to make sure they pay attention.
“I hope they [students] take the time to listen and hear about all the wonderful things going on at BHS, and the opportunities they have."
Written by Asher Mercier
Photography by Sallie Frost