The beginning of the 2025-2026 school year saw the removal of zero band labs for underclassmen taking regents level Biology and Chemistry. 

At Townsend Harris, zero band labs periods begin at 7:05 AM and end at 7:55 AM, before the first band starts at 8:00 AM. 

This new policy has primarily affected the schedules of freshman students, who, in previous years, had one zero band class a week to fulfill Regents requirements for lab hours. Now, labs occur during bands one through nine of the school day, during a different band than a student’s normally scheduled Biology or Chemistry class. 

Since each class at THHS meets four times a week, the other three days where Biology and Chemistry students do not have labs are designated for two Physical Education classes and one “study hall” period. This is a notable change from past years, where all PE classes met four days a week, and underclassmen generally did not have study periods.

According to Assistant Principal of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Abid Choudhury, collaborative efforts between the administrative team and “people in charge of academic policy in the district” ensured that key requirements were still met. “We’re able to offer [at least] 90 minutes of PE per week, so since our bands are 50 minutes long, we’re able to accumulate that in two days,” said Mr. Choudhury. 

“The main goal was moving zero band. It’s not possible for all grades, unfortunately, but at least [it can be changed] for freshmen who are just coming into high school.”

Student responses to these changes were largely positive, expressing that it would help to alleviate stress for freshmen as they transition from middle school to high school. For years, zero band lab sessions have led to complaints from students who feel the 7:05 AM start time is too early.

“When I was a freshman, I went through so much pressure,” said sophomore Dihali Perera. “I [had to] wake up in the morning at 5 AM, and then get to school when it was still dark outside. And I was always late in the beginning because I didn’t know how to get to school.” 

One student said that it was far too tiring to wake up early for zero band, have to go through classes and exams throughout the school day, and still be expected to have extracurricular commitments after school. 

“Waking up [early] to do work is pretty exhausting. It sets a bad precedent for the rest of the day, in my opinion,” said sophomore Dean Saghafi, who had experienced zero band labs during his freshman year Biology course, but, due to these changes, no longer has zero band labs for his sophomore year Chemistry course.

“A lot of people would not be able to show up [to zero band], and they would miss their whole lab,” said senior Vaibhvi Patel. “I think having it during the day is just better. People are just more focused if they have a little bit more sleep, too.”

Additionally, the policy has also resulted in notable impacts within the classroom, with some science teachers noting a change in student engagement. 

“Thus far, students seem more engaged during lab activities and fewer students are missing labs,” said science teacher Sarah Loew.

Science teacher Olivia Comer shared similar observations. “I have noticed a difference in student energy when coming to lab this year,” she said. “I think that in the past, zero band once a week threw off a lot of students’ sleep schedules, so now with some more consistency, they may not be coming into lab in such a fog.”

Despite increased student engagement, Ms. Loew said that “Other than the change in timing, this adjustment has not prompted many changes to how we approach lab. We still conduct hands-on, weekly investigations that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and the new Biology: Life Science Regents.”

Some students, such as junior Oliver Sarocky, said that these changes will not prepare freshmen for the zero bands they will inevitably have in later years.

Students shared mixed opinions regarding the additional band designated for study hall each week as a result of this schedule change. While some expressed that it would allow them to be more productive in school, others doubt that many students use the band to actually study, treating it instead as just a free band.

“I take a long time to get home, so having the extra period for study hall is helpful to get my work done,” said freshman Samantha Banuramratan.

However, another freshman said that she and her friends would “do whatever [they] want” during study hall.

 Mr. Choudhury said the school administration still anticipates making improvements in the organization of the study band to make it more focused. “I’m not sure how we feel about the study band,” Mr. Choudhury said. “We have to see how freshmen are utilizing it. I think that perhaps it could be more organized and more structured.”