Saturday, March 04, 2000
Fairfield Middle School's schedule change adds flexibility
'Core/encore' plan means bigger staff
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
FAIRFIELD - The ringing of bells every 50 minutes to signal the change of classes won't be heard at Fairfield Middle School in August.
The school is changing to what it has dubbed a “core/en core” schedule, developed by teachers after more than a year of study. To implement the schedule, five teachers will be added to the staff, Principal Liz Griffel said.
Students will be assigned to a team of five teachers for their core academic subjects: language arts, social studies, science and math. Those teachers will have a five-period block each day for instruction.
During two periods of the day, students will be “off team” for their “encore” classes, such as art, music, band, physical education and health. Each team will have no more than 120 to 130 students, compared with 150 now.
About 25 minutes at the end of the day will be set aside for an advisory period, during which teachers could review homework assignments and help students with individual problems; students could go to the library, attend school events such as pep assemblies and awards programs, or talk with counselors.
“This is not to be confused with block scheduling,” Mrs. Griffel said. “It's still a seven-period day, but there won't be bells, which will be less dis ruptive. Each team of teachers can schedule their block of time however they want.”
For example, if a teacher needed more time one day for a science project or because a guest speaker was coming, that teacher could work it out with colleagues on the team, Mrs. Griffel said. The flexibility would allow more project-type work covering several subject areas.
Benefits include a more familylike atmosphere, in which students and teachers know one another better, flexibility in scheduling and time for team teachers to plan together.
“We're really excited about it,” Mrs. Griffel said. “It might be more work for teachers but it's going to help students.”
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