Proposed School Calendar Changes
At the January 11th Board of Education Meeting, recommended changes to the school calendar beginning with the 2010-2011 school were proposed. The proposal included a plan for weekly 9:30 a.m. Monday morning late-starts. The board of education will consider action on the calendar proposal at the regular school board meeting on February 8, 2010. Answers to some frequently asked questions about the proposal can be found below.
Why is Norfolk Public Schools considering having weekly 9:30 late-starts?
Over the past several months, the district has been studying ways to find time to work with all of our teaching staff on issues related to the improvement of education. The district currently operates our staff development calendar on a schedule that provides approximately one half-day of staff development each month. Though monthly meetings can be useful, much of the time is spent reconstructing previous discussions and rebuilding momentum. Additionally, there is little time for district-wide meetings such as grade level and departmental meetings. Though some meetings are held after school, many teachers are involved in after school and evening activities that prevent them from taking part. As a result, school improvement efforts are often disjointed and lack momentum. The district is currently engaged in several instructional issues including improvement of instructional strategies, curriculum alignment, assessment strategies, grading practices, integrating technology into the curriculum, and developing a 21st century curriculum. Our present inservice schedule provides little time to work together as a staff so the progress made on these issues is limited.
What will teachers do during these meetings and how will it help my children learn better?
Providing the best possible education for our students is the primary goal of Norfolk Public Schools. To that end, the district is currently engaged in several instructional improvement initiatives including improvement of instructional strategies, curriculum alignment, developing assessment strategies, grading practices, integrating technology into the curriculum, and developing a 21st century curriculum. Weekly meeting times will be used by teaching staff to study and implement the best possible teaching methods in the profession.
What process was used to develop the
proposal?
During the second semester of the 2008-2009 school year, a group of
teacher leaders and administrators on the district’s Curriculum
Coordinating Council developed a list of instructional priorities
for the district. Though many instructional matters made up
the list, finding additional time for teachers to learn and
collaborate together was the highest priority. Administrators
then began the task of studying what other districts were doing to
address the need for more time for teachers to work together.
Administrators, the Curriculum Coordinating Council, and the
district’s calendar committee then looked at some possible
solutions to the time problem. After much discussion, the
final proposal was developed.
What will I do with my young children when I have to be at work at 8:00 a.m. and school doesn’t start until 9:30?
The district certainly realizes that changing the starting time of the school day can create difficulties for those who have no place for their young children to go after 8:00. If students still need to be at school at regular time, schools will be prepared to provide a safe and supervised environment for them during meeting times. Elementary schools will continue to offer the breakfast program on late-start days and students would be able to take part before school.
Why can’t the district just have teacher meetings after regular school times?
Norfolk Public Schools has many, many staff involved in after school and evening activities. Though some meetings are held after school, the absence of these staff members makes school improvement efforts disjointed and somewhat unproductive.
Is Monday morning the only option?
The district is willing to consider other ideas such as choosing a
different day for late-starts. Other options are open for
discussion as well.
Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
If you have questions about this proposal, please contact Bob Hastings at (402) 644-2500 and he will be glad to talk with you. You are also welcome to contact your building’s principal if you have specific questions unique to your building. You can also send e-mails to questions@npsne.org with feedback or questions.
