High schools moving to new schedule in 2011-12
Change in school day expected to save up to $700,000
Jan. 21, 2010
Students attending Bloomington’s Jefferson or Kennedy high school can expect a change in the current four-period day schedule beginning with the 2011-12 school year, when the schools move to a six-period day with a “modified block” option.
The schedule change, which will impact current 7th-10th grade students, is part of a long-range financial planning recommendation to address current and future budget shortfall projections. The savings of moving to a new schedule could be up to $700,000.
A planning team of teachers and district staff developed the new high school schedule model to include:
- 3 days/week of six periods;
- 2 days/week of three modified “block” periods, which retains elements of the current schedule; and
- An “Early Bird” option for students to take a seventh class outside of the school day (before school, and the student must provide own transportation).
The new schedule will increase time in core subject areas, resolve the issue of music consuming 25 percent of a student’s schedule, and provides time for student enhancements, such as homeroom, tutorials, and engagement in student activities, said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nancy Allen-Mastro.
The planning team is working on converting the current program of study to align with the six-period schedule, which will include a slight revision in credits and graduation requirements, and steps to bridge current freshmen and sophomore students’ four-year plans with the conversion of credits.
Bloomington Public Schools joins a growing list of recent school districts – White Bear Lake and Chaska/Chanhassen – that have moved away from the more expensive four-period or “block” schedule, said Allen-Mastro.
Each school will host a series of informational meetings for parents and students this year and again next school year. More info can be found on each school’s web site. |
