New Schedule & Math Changes for 2017-18
As a follow-up to Mrs. Schmidt’s message this week regarding the 2017-2018 middle school schedule, I want to address a few questions that have come up (see below). I strongly encourage you to contact me directly with questions about the 2017-2018 schedule and plan to attend one of the parent opportunities that we have scheduled. Please do not rely on social media and other sources for information as we are finding that incorrect information is being shared causing confusion.
How long has the district been working on a new middle school schedule?
This work has taken place over a three year period and included extensive research, ongoing teacher committee work, and collection of survey data. It has been a Board adopted goal for both of the last two years and highlighted in the State of the District report. In addition, it has been a regular agenda item on public Board of Education agendas, particularly during the current school year.
When does the new schedule take effect?
August, 2017
How do the changes affect Spanish?
Currently, Spanish is taught daily during the 7th- and 8th-grade years. Over the course of the two years, students complete Spanish 1–the same course taught at Stevenson.
Spanish will now be taught during the 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade years on an every-other-day basis. It is still Spanish 1–the same course taught at Stevenson.
District 96 will have 88 additional instructional days than Stevenson has to teach the same course.
District 96 and the Stevenson World Language department have worked on instructional shifts in Spanish that will prepare our students at even higher levels for Spanish in high school.
How does the new schedule impact band / orchestra, and exploratories or “electives”?
There will be one less course in the rotation. Art, music, and The Art and Science of Living (an updated FACS) will be offered every other day, but for a full trimester rather than 9 weeks.
The band and orchestra model will remain exactly as it is for 6th grade.
During 7th and 8th grade, students will be able to choose to participate in band and orchestra during the school day in lieu of the rotation.
During 7th and 8th grade, students who choose band and orchestra will have the additional option of accessing the rotation during the Flex period or during Trimester 3.
Students now have choice.
These are the facts that seem to need some clarification. PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY OR ATTEND AN UPCOMING PARENT NIGHT TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
Middle School Schedule -Opportunities to Learn More!
Twin Groves and Woodlawn will be hosting the following Parent Information Nights. Parents are able to attend either night, regardless of their home school.
April 5 at Woodlawn, 7:00-8:00 PM
April 13 at Twin Groves, 7:00-8:00 PM
There also will be a parent coffee in the Woodlawn Learning Center on April 18 from 8:00-9:00 AM.
Math Changes for 17-18
At Tuesday night's meeting, the D96 Board of Education approved the elimination of 6th-Grade Pathway 1 and 7th-Grade Pathway 1 for the 2017-2018 school year. With the change in the middle school schedule, the length of math classes will increase from 42 minutes per day to 60 minutes per day. There will also be a 40-minute Flex period that students can access to receive more help if they are struggling.
In order to make sure that our current 6th-Grade Pathway 1 students will be ready for 7th-grade Pathway 2, teachers will be introducing several concepts to current Pathway 1 students which will put them on equal footing with the current Pathway 2 students by the end of this school year.
There will not be a change next year for current 7th graders in Pathway 1. They will enter 8th-grade Pathway 1 math next year. There is too wide a gap in the skills taught in 7th-grade Pathway 1 and 7th-grade Pathway 2 to make up by the end of the year. Students need the foundational skills they receive in Pre-Algebra to cement their success in high school Algebra 1.
On Monday, while most of us were enjoying our day off because of Pulaski Day, our Science Olympians were preparing for the regional this weekend. Roughly 25 students were here working on their entries into the competition, hoping to make it to the upcoming state competition.
Illinois Science Assessment (ISA)
All Illinois schools will administer the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) to students enrolled in grades 5 and 8 only. The ISA will be given online. This assessment will be given on one day and most students will complete the assessment in about an hour. Woodlawn will be administering the Illinois Science Assessment to 8th grade students on March 16th.
Spring Fling
Our PTO sponsored Spring Fling is coming up this Friday, March 17th. Check out the PTO Blog for more information . The PTO will be selling raffle tickets for a couple of really cool items! These items will be raffled off next Friday at the Spring Fling:
1) Autograph Dwyane Wade Chicago Bulls jersey
2) Autograph Kyle Schwarber Chicago Cubs baseball
3) Limited edition Louisville Slugger World Series Commemorative Bat