Early Dismissal Days Next School Year
Moderator: Jim O'Bryan
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Jeff Dreger
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:26 am
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Christine Gordillo
- Posts: 195
- Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:28 pm
Re: Early Dismissal Days Next School Year
I apologize to Mr. Call for the broken link to the calendar. I figured out that he is clicking on a link to the new calendar in the District News story regarding the early release days that is posted on the web site's front page. I had failed to update that link with the new calendar. So, yes, it was missing but only by oversight not by intention. The link is now correct.
Christine Gordillo
Communications& PR Specialist
Lakewood City Schools
Christine Gordillo
Communications& PR Specialist
Lakewood City Schools
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Bill Call
- Posts: 3319
- Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:10 pm
Re: Early Dismissal Days Next School Year
Christine Gordillo wrote:I apologize to Mr. Call for the broken link to the calendar. I figured out that he is clicking on a link to the new calendar in the District News story regarding the early release days that is posted on the web site's front page. I had failed to update that link with the new calendar. So, yes, it was missing but only by oversight not by intention. The link is now correct.
Christine Gordillo
Communications& PR Specialist
Lakewood City Schools
Thank you.
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Roy Pitchford
- Posts: 686
- Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:38 pm
Re: Early Dismissal Days Next School Year
To those asking what subject will be removed from the school day, I would like to put forth a theory based on my own experience. Forgive me if someone already mentioned this, I didn't have time to read everything...
During the 94-95 LHS school year, my freshman year, homeroom was limited to 2 days per week. During those 2 days, not only were we let out at a different time (3:05 instead of 2:45??) but several of the class periods were shortened.
I am not aware of what the current class length is, but perhaps on those alternating Thursdays, every class will simply be 5-10 minutes shorter. How many class periods are there now? (It was 8 when I was there, with homeroom and the optional 9th period for those kids who wanted) If its, say, 9 periods now, then 6 minutes per class would easily cover the 50 minutes.
During the 94-95 LHS school year, my freshman year, homeroom was limited to 2 days per week. During those 2 days, not only were we let out at a different time (3:05 instead of 2:45??) but several of the class periods were shortened.
I am not aware of what the current class length is, but perhaps on those alternating Thursdays, every class will simply be 5-10 minutes shorter. How many class periods are there now? (It was 8 when I was there, with homeroom and the optional 9th period for those kids who wanted) If its, say, 9 periods now, then 6 minutes per class would easily cover the 50 minutes.
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Thealexa Becker
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:04 am
Re: Early Dismissal Days Next School Year
I graduated in 2009 and when I was in school they did exactly what you described Roy, they just shortened a few of the periods at the end of the day.
The issue is that it can be confusing and sometimes important classes get shorted for some students but not for others.
For instance, if there are two sections of AP European History, one in 3rd period and one in 7th period and 7th period is always shortened, but 3rd never is, then the kids in 3rd period are at an advantage because they get more time in that class.
I guess it's more of a nuisance than anything else. I remember I always enjoyed it when class periods got shortened...
The issue is that it can be confusing and sometimes important classes get shorted for some students but not for others.
For instance, if there are two sections of AP European History, one in 3rd period and one in 7th period and 7th period is always shortened, but 3rd never is, then the kids in 3rd period are at an advantage because they get more time in that class.
I guess it's more of a nuisance than anything else. I remember I always enjoyed it when class periods got shortened...
I'm reading about myself sitting in a laundromat, reading about myself sitting in a laundromat, reading about myself...my head hurts.
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Kristine Pagsuyoin
- Posts: 339
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:28 am
Re: Early Dismissal Days Next School Year
Recently, Superintendent Jeff Patterson made room in his busy schedule to meet with me to discuss concerns about early dismissal days and other issues regarding Lakewood Schools. In addition to the recent Community Meetings he conducted, Mr. Patterson has made himself available to parents who have concerns or want to be involved in the educational process. I know that I speak for many parents when I say that is good for our schools and community to have leaders who make the time for all citizens who call Lakewood home.
Professional development for Lakewood teachers and staff is essential, and I support the schedule that the district and put forth for next year. There will be a great benefit to our students, and district, when teachers are able to apply newly learned skills and methods almost immediately in the classroom.
Lakewood Schools has a very diverse socioeconomic population with a huge percentage of the students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. My concerns with early dismissal days were focused on how the new schedule may affect working parents and kids who may be home alone longer than necessary. There are many unsung heroes in Lakewood that work very hard to make our community a great place for kids and families to thrive. I've met most of them through my work with the Lakewood Family Collaborative. They have done much since the announcement of early dismissal days to communicate with the schools, child care providers, and to help families understand how they can successfully transition to the new schedule.
I want to thank Mr. Patterson for his time and update everyone by posting the following letter on the Lakewood Schools website regarding steps that are being taken to help families with the new schedule for next year.
EARLY DISMISSAL ISSUES ADDRESSED BY SUPERINTENDENT
Recently, the district notified families that next school year the calendar will include 15 early release days for students in order to provide staff with ongoing professional development throughout the year. Students will be released 50 minutes earlier than their usual dismissal time on these days.
Some parents expressed concern regarding these professional development sessions cutting into student instruction time. What was not specified in the letter home to parents explaining the new schedule is that the two days that in previous years were used for professional development (one in October and one in February) were added back into the schedule. These two additional days make up for the classroom time lost on the early dismissal days.
Research has shown that professional development is much more effective in shorter, more frequent sessions rather than longer, less frequent ones. Beginning in the fall, many of our teachers will be implementing the new, more rigorous Common Core State Standards that will be required for all schools starting with the 2014-2015 school year. This continuous and ongoing professional development will help ensure that the transition to these new standards is smooth, which ultimately benefits our students.
Concerns have also been voiced about parents’ schedules that may not be flexible enough to pick up their child at the earlier time. The district’s after-school child care partners have confirmed that they are able to adjust their operations to accommodate the early dismissal days so parents who utilize those services will be able to continue to do so without disruption. Also, the district is working on providing activities at the elementary buildings for those students who may not be able to be picked up 50 minutes early.
This new schedule will take patience and cooperation on everyone’s part. The district does not take lightly the inconvenience and issues the schedule may pose for some parents. However, we believe that a highly qualified and highly trained staff that is learning and implementing the best and latest classroom strategies will translate into higher student achievement and that is everyone’s goal.
Below is a reminder of the early release dates for the 2012-2013 school year. The dates fall on the second and fourth Thursday of most months:
September 13 & 27 February 7 & 21
October 11 & 25 March 7 & 21
December 13 April 11 & 25
January 10 & 24 May 9 & 23
Dismissal times on these days will be as follows:
High school - 2:10 p.m.
Middle school - 1:48 p.m.
Elementary - 2:15 p.m.
A reminder that on the early release days, all elementary students must be in school by 8:45 a.m. There will be no second bell at 9 a.m. on these days.
The district will remind families through the AlertNow notification system by phone and email the day prior to each early release date.
Jeff Patterson
Superintendent
Professional development for Lakewood teachers and staff is essential, and I support the schedule that the district and put forth for next year. There will be a great benefit to our students, and district, when teachers are able to apply newly learned skills and methods almost immediately in the classroom.
Lakewood Schools has a very diverse socioeconomic population with a huge percentage of the students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. My concerns with early dismissal days were focused on how the new schedule may affect working parents and kids who may be home alone longer than necessary. There are many unsung heroes in Lakewood that work very hard to make our community a great place for kids and families to thrive. I've met most of them through my work with the Lakewood Family Collaborative. They have done much since the announcement of early dismissal days to communicate with the schools, child care providers, and to help families understand how they can successfully transition to the new schedule.
I want to thank Mr. Patterson for his time and update everyone by posting the following letter on the Lakewood Schools website regarding steps that are being taken to help families with the new schedule for next year.
EARLY DISMISSAL ISSUES ADDRESSED BY SUPERINTENDENT
Recently, the district notified families that next school year the calendar will include 15 early release days for students in order to provide staff with ongoing professional development throughout the year. Students will be released 50 minutes earlier than their usual dismissal time on these days.
Some parents expressed concern regarding these professional development sessions cutting into student instruction time. What was not specified in the letter home to parents explaining the new schedule is that the two days that in previous years were used for professional development (one in October and one in February) were added back into the schedule. These two additional days make up for the classroom time lost on the early dismissal days.
Research has shown that professional development is much more effective in shorter, more frequent sessions rather than longer, less frequent ones. Beginning in the fall, many of our teachers will be implementing the new, more rigorous Common Core State Standards that will be required for all schools starting with the 2014-2015 school year. This continuous and ongoing professional development will help ensure that the transition to these new standards is smooth, which ultimately benefits our students.
Concerns have also been voiced about parents’ schedules that may not be flexible enough to pick up their child at the earlier time. The district’s after-school child care partners have confirmed that they are able to adjust their operations to accommodate the early dismissal days so parents who utilize those services will be able to continue to do so without disruption. Also, the district is working on providing activities at the elementary buildings for those students who may not be able to be picked up 50 minutes early.
This new schedule will take patience and cooperation on everyone’s part. The district does not take lightly the inconvenience and issues the schedule may pose for some parents. However, we believe that a highly qualified and highly trained staff that is learning and implementing the best and latest classroom strategies will translate into higher student achievement and that is everyone’s goal.
Below is a reminder of the early release dates for the 2012-2013 school year. The dates fall on the second and fourth Thursday of most months:
September 13 & 27 February 7 & 21
October 11 & 25 March 7 & 21
December 13 April 11 & 25
January 10 & 24 May 9 & 23
Dismissal times on these days will be as follows:
High school - 2:10 p.m.
Middle school - 1:48 p.m.
Elementary - 2:15 p.m.
A reminder that on the early release days, all elementary students must be in school by 8:45 a.m. There will be no second bell at 9 a.m. on these days.
The district will remind families through the AlertNow notification system by phone and email the day prior to each early release date.
Jeff Patterson
Superintendent