Thursday, March 10, 2016

SUPERINTENDENT HINTS AT LATER CHS START TIME IN LETTER

After months of complaints from some parents that Columbia High School's first classes, which can begin as early as 7:30 a.m., were too early, the district is considering changing the high school's schedule for next year.

In a letter to parents issued Wednesday related to the scheduling process, Superintendent John Ramos indicated the district is considering a later start time and fewer periods in the day.

His letter stated,in part:

The school district is presently working to reconcile various concerns that have been brought to our attention, including a desire on the part of a significant segment of the community to start the school day later.  

One of the solutions under consideration is for the district to shift from the current two-session day, with a total of 9 periods, to a one-session 8 period day.  One of the benefits of this potential change is that it would allow us to create academic supports, enhanced counseling, and other small group learning laboratories to support student needs.

See the entire letter below:

Dear CHS Families:

We have received some questions about the plans for next year’s schedule at the high school.  

By way of clarification, the high school selection process for the 2016-2017 school year, which is now underway, is based upon:

  1. Graduation requirements
  2. Electives

Just as in the past, students are selecting courses based on what they are required to take, and what they would like to take, consistent with their interests and passions.  CHS’s standard practice of scheduling students for 7 courses gives students 35 credits per year, for a total of 140 credits during their CHS career, to ensure they not only meet but surpass the state graduation requirement of 120 credits.  This basic approach has not changed.

The school district is presently working to reconcile various concerns that have been brought to our attention, including a desire on the part of a significant segment of the community to start the school day later.  

One of the solutions under consideration is for the district to shift from the current two-session day, with a total of 9 periods, to a one-session 8 period day.  One of the benefits of this potential change is that it would allow us to create academic supports, enhanced counseling, and other small group learning laboratories to support student needs.

As for the budget, and the proposed reduction of staff at the high school, this year, as in prior years, some course sections are under-enrolled. We continue to believe that students will be able to take a full complement of courses and not be adversely impacted through scheduling more efficiently.  For example, not all electives may run in every semester, but they would still be available for interested students to take during their CHS career.  Grade level class sessions and individual counselor meetings throughout the month of March, as well as any email and phone call questions, are all important points of contact for you and your student throughout the course selection process.

The incoming freshman class will be scheduled for 7 classes plus a lunch period.  While we strongly encourage upper classmen to take 7 classes and a lunch period as well, we are of course committed to ensure that upper classmen are able to meet their graduation requirements and to pursue their personal passions through electives.  

Sincerely,

John J. Ramos, Sr. Ed

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