Board members will listen to report on block schedule
tonight
Gilroy – Two-hour classes, three times a day, may be tossed in favor of a more traditional schedule.
After spending months pouring over the pros and cons of Gilroy High School’s block schedule, the bell schedule committee has recommended a so-called hybrid block schedule wherein students attend six, hour-long classes Monday through Wednesday and three 100-minute classes on Thursdays and Fridays.
The Gilroy Unified School District board will review the report on the schedule and recommendation at a special board meeting tonight.
The committee, which is comprised of 22 teachers, parents, students, law enforcement representatives and district staff, has been meeting twice a month since September to discuss the effectiveness of GHS’ schedule. They’ve read numerous articles, conducted surveys, observed classrooms and studied the factors associated with different schedules, said Trustee Rhoda Bress, who served on the committee.
The high school first implemented its block schedule in 1992. Under the current schedule students attend 114-minute classes. The week is divided into blue and white days, with students attending odd-numbered periods or one, three and five on blue days and even-numbered periods two, four and six on white days.
After studying the issue, the group concluded that two hours is too long and that students need the daily repetition of some classes, such as math and foreign language. The committee also determined that the new schedule needs to have built-in collaboration time for teachers.
The board will meet for the district’s regular meeting Thursday, however no action will be taken on any items at the meeting, but the board will listen to a mid-year progress report on the Mexican American Community Services Agency El Portal Leadership Academy charter school.
District Assistant Superintendent Steve Brinkman will discuss the Governor’s first budget proposal for the 2006-2007 school year and bring the board up-to-date on the status of a proposal to build a new district transportation facility.
Meeting
– What : Special GUSD board meeting
– When: 6pm tonight
– Where: The high school library, 750 W. 10th St.
– What: Regular board meeting
– When: Thursday, 7:30pm
– Where: District offices, 7810 Arroyo Circle
