Foster High School's new principal, Forrest Griek, has decided to restructure the schedule for the high school's homecoming week, an act that has ignited a "Facebook riot" among the school's students and alumni.

The new schedule will eliminate two school-time assemblies during the week at the Tukwila school, traditionally used as time for class competitions, and move them to after school hours. Principal Griek says sports will be delayed so athletes can attend the events.

The elimination of these two assemblies will save two hours of class instruction time.

"Two additional hours of instructional time is the beginning of changing to an environment that is visible to all of us-students and staff-that prioritizes student learning," says Griek. "This first year of limiting class time for assemblies, yet creating an alternative time for students to assemble is the beginning of a paradigm shift. It will allow students and staff an opportunity to be more creative in honoring homecoming traditions during a different period of time."

Many students and alumni disagree with these changes.

At the Sept. 13 Tukwila School Board meeting this difference in opinion was made evident by the standing-room-only crowd.

Some who oppose the changes claim it will pull the school apart because it will exclude some students from the homecoming activities. A point was made that some students work after school and cannot attend after school activities.

Griek says sports will be delayed, however one student current student, Kiernon, says he doubts coaches will be okay with that, not to mention the fact the football team needs to practice for the homecoming game.

One current FHS student, Nicole, said before Homecoming week she was more of a shy personality. "Homecoming week made me feel like I belong," she said. "It gave me the courage to become a cheerleader."

A recent FHS alum, Ethiopia, was adamant about her opinion against the changes. She too said she got involved in school because of homecoming; that she hadn't been very involved in middle school. "If you ask someone, 'what's one thing you remember most about high school?' they will say 'homecoming'."

Board president Mark Wahlstrom, said state and federal education officials have been telling the board that Foster is one of the lowest scoring high schools in the state.

"What if students had to have good grades to participate in homecoming?" suggested current FHS student, Kiernon, as an alternative to moving the assemblies to before or after school.

The official schedule is currently in the works, according to Griek and student representative, Ermina. "We have great kids and educators at Foster. Students and staff have already started planning homecoming activities during the entire week that honor our FHS traditions," says Griek. "They will continue to do so between now and homecoming week.

"There is a kick-off homecoming assembly on Monday Oct. 3rd with activities leading up to the extended assembly and game on Friday, Oct. 7th and the dance on Saturday Oct. 8th."