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Background Information about the Bell Schedule

A 16-member committee made up of students, parents, teachers, and school counselor and administrators was formed to clarify the values and priorities for teaching and learning at State High. The committee has recommended an A/B block schedule for the following reasons:

  • It is the most effective schedule at meeting the five values and priorities identified by the committee.
  • It addresses the challenge created by the logistics of the State High building project.

The committee compared the input provided by parents, faculty members and students in order to firmly identify and values and priorities that should be reflected in the State High bell schedule. This comparison revealed the following five values and priorities, presented here in no particular order:

  1. Lunch for all students - In the fall semester of the 2014-2015 school year approximately one third of all students do not have lunch on their class schedule. Students will have a thirty-minute lunch with the A/B block schedule. As with our current practice, students will not be required to eat in the cafeteria.
     
  2. Choice of/access to classes and academic programs - the committee felt it was vital to maintain and, when possible, increase the access to classes and programs by students.
     
  3. Collaboration within content area - common planning time for teachers.
     
  4. Enrichment/remediation for all students – the ability for students to meet with teachers for “extra study” opportunities.
     
  5. Reduction of student stress – the committee felt it was important to include this priority as recent student data indicated State High students report higher levels of anxiety and depression than other high school students in Pennsylvania. Students expressed challenges with the quantity of class/homework during a student focus group. A maximum of four classes in a student day will reduce the transitions between classes and the amount of work students are required to complete each night.

Learn about the committee's activities and approach to decision-making

The committee reviewed these five scheduling options using the criteria listed above, and determined that the 4-period + lunch option best met the criteria.

 

 

Read questions and answers about the bell schedule

These answers to questions asked during the bell schedule parent information meetings held on January 6, 7 and 8, in the high school South auditorium may answer some of your own questions.
 
 

If you have questions or comments  

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