Reducing the Scheduling Headache: Lanese Slagle Forsyth Middle School Arena Scheduling

WHAT IS ARENA SCHEDULING? A form of scheduling where students create their own schedules and teachers get a say in their class rosters. It can typically be done in one to two days.

HOW DOES IT BENEFIT STUDENTS? Students have ownership of their schedule. They complete credit checks and get to decide what classes to take that benefit their plans. Their schedule is practically complete before the end of the year!

HOW DOES IT BENEFIT TEACHERS? Teachers have ownership of their classes. They get to monitor class rosters and class size as they sign up students for classes. Teachers pretty much know their rosters before the end of the year!

Arena Scheduling Timeline Set your arena scheduling dates and times May take one day for your school, possibly two. Some schools do the arena scheduling after regular school hours assigning a day to seniors, juniors, soph, fresh accordingly About 4-6 weeks before the established Arena Scheduling day set up times to meet with all grades/classes 2+ months out make copies of transcripts and paperwork for arena scheduling Depending on how you are splitting students try and do this before you go into classes as well – helps give students incentive to turn things in

When you visit the classes Take: Transcripts for every student Arena Scheduling Forms Arena Scheduling checklists Have on your computer and the kids (or printed off for them): Credit check sheets Graduation requirements Classes offered list Your instructions ppt.

CREDIT CHECK SHEET

CREDIT LIST AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Arena Scheduling Worksheet

Transcript and Current Schedule Sign off on Back of Arena Scheduling Worksheet

ASW Teacher Responsibilities Day of Arena Scheduling

Course Numbers and Sections Most Student Information Systems will assign each of your courses a specific number and section These are entered using the following technique or something similar: Make sure you are in next years file set Go to the student’s schedule in SIS Begin entering the numbers and section codes into the blank box at the top of the students schedule As you enter classes the students schedule will begin to be created Check with your SIS provider to see if this is possible. From experience Lumens and Tyler both provide this feature.

DEPARTMENT GOOGLE DOC ROSTERS AND COURSE NUMBERS

Tips and Pointers Have teachers update course descriptions including additional costs and requirements of the course and share this with students when you visit them. Create a checklist for students and include it with your transcript/scheduling form sheet. It should include things like due dates, requirements, rules/instructions, etc. Put the students transcript, teacher signature page, and Scheduling form all on the same page for easy viewing Have forms due a few days prior to the arena scheduling day – make a copy of the form as students turn them in – colored paper helps to organize by class. The day of scheduling give students back their form to get signatures. They will turn it back in to you before they leave. Have a plan to notify students as courses fill up Get extra hands on deck for entering schedules

HANDOUTS CAN BE FOUND AT: