How will the Schools use the extra learning time?
In K-5, time is teachers’ most precious resource: they will use the time to emphasize hands-on learning, and focus on find the best methods especially in math, science and language arts, rather than the fastest methods. In 6-8, our student school day is woefully short, in the words of the Superintendent. Only because we classify those grades as “elementary school” do we satisfy state time and learning requirements, which are lower for elementary school. If compared to peer districts, we have the shortest day. The extra time would give us the ability to begin to come up to par with other middle grades, and to add longer learning blocks for all our core classes. Just as important, students who use the learning centers will no longer have to choose between receiving needed services to support their learning and taking 7th grade foreign language, a “choice” many have had to make because the schedule simply cannot accommodate both. As a result, only 85% of our students receive the full midd
