Spaulding High School and Barre Technical Center
campus
Scheduling Committee
Jan. 31, 2008, Room 124, 3:00 PM
Minutes
Present: S. Cravedi, G. Drew, C. Gasque, P.
Chamberlin, G. Conley, A. Zorn, M. Reardon, B. Phillips, J. Coleman, T.
McSweeney, J. Pandolfo, L. Turmel, L. Matava, BJ Griffith, L. Lemieux, B.
Waterhouse, L. Coleman, J. Desmarais
1. J. Coleman presented a 7 period
schedule: 7-45 minutes blocks, any two
of which could be combined into a 90 minute block. 45 minute would be more appropriate for lower
level students, 90 minutes for AP and others.
Early end (2:15) minimizes sports conflicts, provides study time or time
to meet with teachers.
Questions:
Ÿ
AP classes could
be one credit year-long.
Ÿ
Is there a
consensus as to which classes are best at 45 minutes and which at 90?
(JC: It should be a department head decision.)
Ÿ
45 minutes
wouldn't be enough for AP English
Ÿ
Is it possible to
schedule this without conflicts?
Pros:
Ÿ
Flexibility
Ÿ
Reduced sports
conflicts
Ÿ
It has been tried
in other schools
Ÿ
There is evidence
that it would increase test scores
Ÿ
Allows 2-credit
AP classes
Ÿ
Allows study time
Ÿ
Allows students
to take Music/Sports/Academics
Ÿ
Allows
acceleration in honors classes
Ÿ
More homework may
be assigned in year-long classes
Ÿ
Allows students
more time to mull things over
Cons:
Ÿ
Requires study
halls
Ÿ
Difficult to
schedule transient students
Ÿ
45 minutes is a
short time for instruction
Ÿ
Difficult to
schedule
Ÿ
Lack of electives
Ÿ
Increased number
of passing periods
Ÿ
Ignores research
about adolescent learners and early start time.
Ÿ
2:15 dismissal
will be unpopular with the public
2. C. Gasque presented an 11-period
schedule. Students would attend 6-50
minute classes: 106, 4-9, or 6-11
Periods run from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Teachers work in 2 shifts, early and late. All students are present in the middle
periods, larger fine arts classes would be held then. Periods could be doubled for semester
classes. Athletes would be scheduled in
the early periods.
Questions:
Ÿ
Do other schools
do this? Where are they?
Ÿ
Are lunches a
full 50 minutes?
Ÿ
When are
singleton classes offered? Only Periods
5, 6, 7?
Ÿ
Will there be a
TA, time for announcements, faculty meetings.
Ÿ
When would IEP
meetings be held? Are counselors there
all day?
Pros:
Ÿ
Early graduation
possible
Ÿ
Student friendly,
makes full use of the facility
Ÿ
Fewer classroom
use conflicts
Ÿ
Accommodates
students who want to do everything
Cons:
Ÿ
Issues with SPED,
counselor, nurse, library accessibility
Ÿ
limited blocks
for singletons
Ÿ
difficult to
schedule
Ÿ
difficult to
integrate transient students
Ÿ
conflicts with
family needs
Ÿ
transportation
issues
Ÿ
sports conflicts
Ÿ
is staff open to
different schedules?
Ÿ
increased # of
passing times
Ÿ
fewer
opportunities for acceleration
Ÿ
no common time
for EST staff meetings
Ÿ
complicates
attendance issues
3. A. Zorn presented a 5
period schedule. Schedule is similar to
the 4x4. Morning block is a full regular
block. Band and chorus meet 3rd
block. No singletons are offered 3rd
block. Schedule was presented to the
board in 2005 and well received.
Questions:
Ÿ
Does it fit with
the Tech schedule? (PC: blocks 2 and 4 would have to be split to accommodate
the tech schedule)
Ÿ
How many classes
are taught by faculty?
Ÿ
How many classes
are taken by students?
Ÿ
Who proctors
study time?
Ÿ
If students are
enrolled in 4 of 5 blocks, would they be full time students?
Pros:
Ÿ
Five blocks,
fewer conflicts
Ÿ
Everyone starts
at the same time--removes stigma from early music classes
Ÿ
Easy to schedule
for SHS
Ÿ
Music is in the
day and more accessible
Ÿ
Possible to
graduate in 2 1/2 years
Cons:
Ÿ
Shorter blocks
are not possible
Ÿ
7:25 is too early
for academic classes
Ÿ
Still has
2-credit AP classes
Ÿ
Difficult to
schedule BTC
Ÿ
More time lost to
sports
Ÿ
Study halls
Ÿ
More preps, less
prep time
Ÿ
Eliminates TA
Ÿ
No time for
Student/teacher help
4. B. Waterhouse presented a 5-Period
schedule: 61 minute and 94 minute blocks
would run concurrently. Students would
take either 3-61s or 2-94s in the morning.
Block 4 is a flexible arrangement of class, lunch, and study time. Similar choice in the afternoon: \61 or 94 minutes classes.
Questions:
Ÿ
How much class
time = one credit?
Ÿ
What is the
required teaching assignment? (Based on credits earned by students)
Ÿ
Does it meet
state graduation requirements?
Ÿ
Who decides what
classes would be in 61 or 94 minutes?
Pros:
Ÿ
Allows long and
short classes
Ÿ
Study time is
built in
Ÿ
Proposal is
"hopeful." The idea has been
popular with staff in the past.
Cons:
Ÿ
Doesn't align
with the tech schedule
Ÿ
More conflicts
with sports related absences
Ÿ
Optional early
start would be unpopular
Ÿ
Difficult to
schedule teachers
Ÿ
Difficult to
schedule students
Ÿ
No common meeting
time for teachers or students
Ÿ
Who proctors
study hall?
5. L. Lemieux presented "4x4 with a
Twist" Advantages to a 4x4
schedule: Currently 95% of students are
fully scheduled with their first choices.
4x4 is very adaptable for transfer students and students who fail
calsses, for scheduling rooms and teachers, and to avoid 3 preps or 3
consecutive blocks for teachers. Also,
scheduling conflicts usually occur after students make their initial requests.
4x4 with a Twist is the
current schedule in which morning block is required for all students and other
classes in addition to band and chorus would be offered. Block one is followed by a 10-minute TA.
Pros:
Ÿ
Easiest to
implement
Ÿ
More access for
SHS students to BTC programs
Ÿ
All students
arrive at 7:25--less stigma to band and chorus
Ÿ
More flexibility
to resolve AP conflicts
Cons:
Ÿ
Students must
choose band or chorus
Ÿ
More teacher
preparations, less prep time
Ÿ
Would cause an
exodus of teachers
Ÿ
Doesn't resolve
AP conflicts
Ÿ
Doesn't address
sports absences
Ÿ
Early start time
Ÿ
Would increase
tardiness problem
Adjourn 4:30 PM
Next meeting: Monday Feb 4, Room 124, 3:00