D102 Parents and Guardians,
In January of this year, our Board of Education received a formal presentation focused on revisions to the Bell Schedule at Park Junior High. This presentation addressed the addition of new classes, changes to instructional minutes as well as academic support changes for next school year. The District and staff teams responsible for the research, planning and ultimate recommendation to the Board were gratified that it was approved. Soon after that approval, the District began the staffing process associated with the approved changes, notably hiring additional science and social studies teachers at Park. These additions were a direct result of an increase in instructional minutes in social studies and science with associated decreases in instructional minutes in math and ELA - ensuring all four core classes have equal instructional minutes throughout the school year. Additionally, the new schedule adds an instructional support period at the end of each school day. This period is being named Flex Period because it is designed to meet the various academic needs of all Park students. D102 does not currently have a dedicated support period for all students. The new schedule also responds to growing parental requests for additional time spent directly on Executive Functioning skills. There is now additional dedicated time after each lunch period for this.
These were just three of the primary driving forces behind the creation and implementation of the new schedule. It is true that students will have a 28-minute reduction of instructional time in their ELA and math classes, but they will gain access to year-long science and social studies classes, daily teacher interaction focused on executive functioning skills, as well as a daily opportunity for additional academic support. I believe this new schedule significantly helps accomplish Goal 1 of our community-developed Strategic Plan - Ensuring Middle School and High School preparedness, as well as Goal 2, creating supportive environments for all students.
Because D102 has such an engaged and thoughtful community, it is only natural that there have been many questions about these changes. This is to be expected and celebrated in a high-functioning school district. I regret not collecting and answering these questions as early as January and February. But in an effort to address as many questions as possible, our BOE, my district team as well as staff members on the Park planning team have provided as many answers as we could in the following document. While the process of change is never easy, I hope that this Q&A about the new schedule will provide both answers and evidence that our planning teams have been working hard on the recommendation the Board received and approved in January.
Also knowing that sometimes a document is not the best way to communicate, I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to attend an in-person Q&A with me on Monday evening - June 2nd at 6pm. We can meet in the Park auditorium. I will not plan a formal presentation, but will leave the format open to whatever questions families have. I hope some of you can join me.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the outstanding staff, instruction, programs and opportunities students have here in D102,
Chris
