HERMANN — The start of the spring semester will bring a new way for Hermann High School students to get help with their homework.

A 53-minute “power lunch” period will be included into the daily schedule to give students a more-relaxed mid-day meal atmosphere and allow enough time for students to meet with instructors about problems they are having with their assignments.

HHS Principal Chip Stutzman said the local power lunch will be modeled after similar programs that he and other high school staffers observed at schools in Sullivan and Pacific.

Stutzman told the Gasconade County R-1 Board of Directors that those schools’ administrators and students gave the power lunch concept high marks. With the high school operating on a bloc schedule, which divides eight hours of classes into an every-other-day rotation of lengthier periods of four classes, there usually is time provided at the end of a period for students to do homework.

The principal said the program will provide “some downtime for them (through an extended lunch hour) or go see teachers.”

He noted that the sentiment in the high school is that it’s time for something different. “It was time for some kid of change,” the principal said, explaining that Bearcat Time — the traditional time set aside for students to catch up on work — “had run its course. It was getting pretty stagnant.”

Stutzman said the plans call for instructors to have regular office hours during the power lunch periods — much like college instructors hold office hours for students during the day.

The power lunch period is scheduled to kick off Monday, Jan. 8.

In other matters at this month’s R-1 Board session earlier this month, the directors recognized the Lady Bearcats volleyball squad that finished in second place in the final four tournament last month. Team members were individually recognized, along with Head Coach Hilary Hays and Assistant Coaches Jamie Epple and Tess Schannuth. Three members of the volleyball squad earned All-State honors — Brekyn Koeller, Sydney Schulte and Kennedie Witthaus.

The Lady Bearcats cross-country team also was highlighted during the board meeting. The girls squad finished in third place at the state meet. Team members of the girls’ and boys’ squads were recognized, along with Head Coach Josh Morris and Assistant Coaches Keely Uthlaut and Dan Bader. Receiving All-State honors were Amelia Uthlaut and Nolan Kopp.

November was another busy month for R-1’s food service. Opaa! Administrators reported that 5,047 breakfast meals were served, along with 7,746 lunches. There were 436 staff meals served during the month.