Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School (SRTSS) Student Timetable Review Personalized Learning through Flexible Scheduling

Why Make Changes? Many things do work well… However, there are challenges & opportunities Diminishing course choices because of lower enrollment Scheduling conflicts for “singletons” Curriculum changes – exciting opportunities for “non-traditional” delivery Student Engagement– maintaining a breadth of choices and opportunities to keep students fully engaged in school

What We’re Exploring A model that Supports self-directed learning Provides ongoing opportunity for personalized learning Provides a structure that supports the secondary curriculum changes Puts the fun back in learning Providing a time for Student Centered Activities Adding a FLEX Block with the focus for students to Play, pursue a Passion or have Purpose (Focus on their immediate needs). Reduce the amount of time in a class to meet the needs of the students (From 80 Minutes to 65 Minutes)

New BC Curriculum Learning Focused (traditionally, curriculum has been content focused) Concept-based Competency Driven Communication (connecting, acquiring/interpreting/presenting, collaborating, explaining/recounting) Creative Thinking (Novelty & Value, Generating Ideas, Developing Ideas) Personal & Social (Personal & Cultural Identity, Personal Awareness & Responsibility, Social Responsibility Essential Learning Literacy and Numeracy Foundations

Teaching & Learning What We Currently Do What we currently do Teacher plans & delivers instruction & assesses learning Direct Instructional Time Independent and group work Discussion Review & Assessment None of this changes Teaching & Learning

Structures of the New Timetable The day’s start and end times remain the same. Students begin their day at 8:25 and end at 2:40 A 60 Minute FLEX Block will be added so for personalized learning and choice This reduces formal classes to 65 minutes.

FLEX Play Passion Purpose

PLAY Students can pursue activities that are purely for fun. Here are a few ideas but there could be many more: Athletic Tournaments / Competitions Nature Walks Robotics Maker Space Activities Board Game Design

PASSION Students can pursue areas of passion. For example: Writing Book Club Environmental Club Yoga SPCA Science Experiments AV Club Meditation Mindfulness

PURPOSE Students can decide to use the time to meet academic challenges / Stress. Below are some ideas: Academic Work Tutorials Girls / Boys Group Social Justice Homework Club Project Work Personal Time

What this Looks Like for a STUDENT… Flexible time to explore courses, ideas Get tutorial support from teachers More experiential learning Makes School and Learning fun again!!

What this Looks Like for a TEACHER Able to offer courses he/she is passionate about More focus on student relationships More focus on learning (vs. management & “covering content”) More collaboration opportunities Quicker “adjustability” of courses and materials

Timetable Draft Times need adjusting We May / Will start with 2 days per week for a FLEX Blk Moving to 5 days with a FLEX Blk