DISTRICT MAY BE BACKING DOWN ON CONTROVERSIAL CHS SCHEDULE CHANGE

The school district seems to be backing down on its plans to shorten the school day at Columbia High School and eliminate one of the nine periods of the day after numerous student and faculty complaints.

There was also an online petition that has so far received more than 400 signatures.

Superintendent John Ramos on Friday sent a letter indicating some flexibility in the changes that could allow students to keep the extra period.

It said, in part, the district may:

Where appropriate, support a 9-period student day to accommodate expanded student course selection where ever staffing, budgeting, and facilities allow.

Read the entire letter below:

Dear CHS Families:

The CHS administration and staff are working on building a 2016-2017 schedule, which includes exploring how to:

• Eliminate a 7:30 start time at the high school.
• Where appropriate, support a 9-period student day to accommodate expanded student course selection where ever staffing, budgeting, and facilities allow.

Among the possibilities being considered is a 9 period rotating drop schedule, in which one class may rotate out of the schedule each day. In general, schools with a dropped period/rotation schedule find a reduction in student and staff stressors as well as increased time for student academic supports and time for teachers to collaborate and work on professional development during the course of the school day. 

If any changes are made to the CHS bell schedule for the 2016-2017 school year, they will be in alignment with building goals, as well as those goals and priorities identified in our district’s Education Summit and strategic planning to date.  

As a reminder, the new Access and Equity Policy and the revised Academic Placement Policy ensure that students have choice in their academic placement.  For more information about these policies, please click here.  Students who would like to exercise that choice should discuss their preferred placement with their counselor.

Sincerely,
John. J. Ramos, Sr., Ed.D.
Superintendent