SGC Considers Schedule

A new bell schedule has been designed and approved for implementation at Berkeley High School for the 2010-2011 school year. Put together over the past several weeks by BHS teacher team leaders and Principal Jim Slemp, the new schedule is part of a four–part action plan which includes provisions for the support and development of BHS Small Learning Communities (SLCs), distinct advisory programs for SLCs, and Equity Grants.

As the new schedule follows the preexisting guidelines set by the School Board, it did not require votes by either the School Governance Council (SGC) or the School Board for approval.

Like the 2009-2010 schedule, the new proposal will contain two semesters with six classes each semester. In the daily bell schedule, there will be four periods before lunch and two after, as well as a 15 minute 'Nutrition Break' in between second and third periods.

The school day on Tuesdays through Fridays will begin at 7:23 AM, while school on Mondays will still begin at 9:57 AM.
The new structure is designed to give SLCs room to implement a form of block scheduling if they choose to do so next school year.

"It will be up to [the SLCs]," said BHS Principal Jim Slemp on the possibility of block scheduling under the new plan. "Some will do more of it, and some will do less." The action plan also incorporates advisory, which will be developed within each SLC to meet the specific outcomes for advisory specified by the School Board.

The new proposal was formed after the trimester schedule being considered for implementation next school year fell one vote short of the two thirds SGC majority necessary for its recommendation to the School Board.

The trimester proposal did not receive full support from the SGC in part due to concerns about the potential cutting of class time, its possible effects on current SLC academic programs, and uncertainty about the trimester system’s effect on the equity gap.

The new plan emphasizes autonomy for SLCs in how they incorporate the academic strategies and requirements in the plan, providing more flexibility in program development.

The formal introduction of the plan at last night’s SGC meeting has prompted discussion of many of its elements, which will continue at another SGC meeting Tuesday afternoon.