Nonnewaug High School Proposed Schedule to begin school-year

Background Information A scheduling committee was formed in 2011 to create a schedule in which “the organization of time supports research-based instruction, professional collaboration among teachers, and the learning needs of all students” as required by NEASC The task of the committee was to develop a schedule that met the following criteria: Included extended learning opportunities in all classes Ensured that every student had a lunch period Reduced the time of lunch periods Reduced the number of Study Halls as a result of labs Included a flex time during the school day where teachers could meet with students for extra help and make-up work Did not require an increase in staffing

Background Information The Report of the Visiting Committee from the NEASC visit from March 17 – 20, 2013 stated the following: “The schedule does not allow for extended learning opportunities for classes other than those that require labs…With an adequate allotment of time for collaboration and delivery of a research- based curriculum, coordinated instructional improvements will be able to be in place to ensure all students achieve the 21st century learning expectations” (p. 46)

The Process The process for developing the new schedule included all of the following: Research into various schedule options Site visits to schools with block and mixed block schedules Phone calls to schools in other states with similar schedules Survey of faculty preferences Faculty input at the department level on all iterations Research into current students’ schedules to determine impact of a seven-period day Discussion of impact on class-size, enrollment in electives, and available opportunities for students Feasibility discussions in regards to three lunch waves Discussions with Teachers’ Union President about preps and duties for teachers

The Proposed Schedule Three days of seven periods, two days of extended period blocks Three periods of lunch embedded Advisory and Flex time embedded NONNEWAUG HIGH SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE Monday,Thursday,FridayTuesdayWednesday 7 period dayBlock DayBlock Day w/ PLT/Advisory/flex Period 17:25 - 8:1550min.Period 17:25 - 8:5590min.Period 27:25 - 8:5590min. Period 28:19 - 9:0950min.Period 39: :3090min. Advisory/fl ex9:00 - 9:5050min. Period 39: :0350min.Period 510: :4090min.Period 49: :0090min. Period 410: :5750min. lunch 1 - lunch 10: :05 lunch 1 - lunch 9: :25 Period 511: :2754min. class 11: :40 class 10: :00 lunch 1 - lunch 11: :28 lunch 2 - class 10: :20 lunch 2 - class 9: :40 class 11: :27 lunch 11: :52 lunch 10: :12 lunch 2 - class 11: :28 class 11: :40 class 11: :00 lunch 11: :55 lunch 3 - class 10: :05 lunch 3 - class 9: :25 class 12: :27 lunch 12: :40 lunch 11: :00 lunch 3 - class 11: :55 Period 712:45 - 2:1590min.Period 612:05 - 1:3590min. lunch 12: :27 PLT*1:35 - 2:3560min. Period 612:31 - 1:2150min. Period 71:25 - 2:1550min. *Note: Professional Learning Time (PLT) will take place on Wednesdays. Students will be dismissed at 1:35.

Benefits of the New Schedule to Students Students start and end the week with every class in their schedule Two days of each week, students have only half of their class load to prepare for Every class will have an extended learning opportunity each week, facilitating more project-based learning An increase of 14 minutes of instructional time, per class, per week = approximately eight additional hours of instruction PER CLASS over the course of the year (56 hours total) Still provides the option for students to register for a study hall and meet the annual credit requirements: Freshmen - 6, Sophomores - 6, Juniors - 6, Seniors - 5 Time for extra help with students is embedded into the weekly schedule, students without transportation after school would be able to meet with teachers twice a month during the day

Benefits of the New Schedule to Students Every student has a guaranteed lunch embedded in the schedule Science classes will no longer have an additional lab period in the schedule, freeing-up a period for students to take other courses All FFA meetings will be embedded in the Advisory/Flex time so students will not miss class Advisors will continue to meet with their students weekly to build relationships, yet in different capacities (as advisors, study hall proctors, extra help providers) Any surveys that need to be administered or class meetings that need to be held will not take away from class time or require a unique schedule: the schedule will be more consistent for students to follow

Additional Benefits Region 14’s Curriculum Coordinator can provide on-site training to teachers on teaching in a block period so no outside consultant will be necessary In surveying faculty, the top common response for a stated need in the new schedule was incorporating Flex Time to meet with students and provide extra help during the school day Even with the inclusion of this valuable flex time, classes are gaining minutes of instruction

Advisory/Flex Time Advisory will be held twice per month for fifty minutes Flex time will be held once per month for fifty minutes for the whole school (in the advisory classrooms) FFA meetings will be held once per month during this time While the Agriscience students are in the FFA meeting, non- Agriscience students will have a fifty minute flex period Flex period will be a proctored study hall by the advisor for those students who do not need to see other teachers for extra help For students to leave their advisory they must have a pass from the teacher that they would like to see for extra help The time can also be used to make-up assessments, hold study groups with students in the same class in the room of the teacher whose class it is, or for enrichment in a subject area in which the student would like to advance