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The following is a HIT from the message posted on 11/1/94. My school district is exploring intensive (or block) scheduling. The possibilities are being examined first for the 9-12 high school. (Approx. 550 students/40 teachers) We are in need of samples, ideas, documents, etc. on intensive scheduling. We are also considering other forms of innovative scheduling. If you have anything to share, please send short responses to me directly via e-mail. FAX and mailing address are provided for other materials. We would also be interested in any school that changed from traditional scheduling and then changed back, why it didn't work, reasons, etc. I would also like to know how it fits into the library media program. Here are the responses: 1.I might add that my nieces are in a high school which is using block scheduling and they like it very much. They have fewer assignments per day to deal with and a longer period of time to concentrate on one topic. Our high school currently has a double block period in which two teachers are doing some creative activities. I can supply more details if you're interested. Kay Maynard Canton High School Canton, IL cant@darkstar.rsa.lib.il.us 2. You could contact the Pattonville School District in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Glore is the high school principal and would be glad to speak with you. They have used an 8-block day for 2 years, I think. Hope this helps. Mary Jameson Troy R-III High School Troy, MO 63379 mjameson@services.dese.state.mo.us 3. Our high school switched from a traditional schedule to 80-minute block scheduling of 8 periods, 4 0f which meet on alternate days. The impact on library usage was dramatic--expect a large increase of use by teachers with classes. The longer periods makes it possible for library staff to "check in" with every student to be sure he/she has found appropriate resources for their research. Debbie Locke, Westbrook H.S., Westbrook, Maine 4. We are in our second year of block scheduling. It means different things to different schools. For us, it means a four period day with teachers teaching three of the four periods. So every teacher has a 90-minute planning period. Courses run for one semester. They get an entirely new schedule the second semester. It gives students a chance to earn 8 credits instead of 7 under the old system. Everyone has adjusted toit and there is no talk of going back to the old schedule. There are less hallway class changes so there are less referrals and less chance to be late to class. It was rough on the teachers the first year to adjust their planning. Some said it was like being a first year teacher all over. They were told to have 3-4 activities in a 90-minute period. 90 minute lectures do not work. As far as the library is concerned, I think they bring the kids to the library more. It provides an opportunity to vary instruction. I try to stress that they shouldn't stay 90-minutes. They should come for 45 less in order to breakup activities in the classroom. Sandy Doggett, Linganore High School, Frederick, Maryland 5. Our high school is in the 3rd year of a block schedule. There are still mixed reactions. Contact Meri Olmstead, Library Media Specialist at 503-963-1971 for more information. 6. I received 24 pages of citations from ERIC - on scheduling- this week through their ASKERIC service. Mary Stallings, Poquoson High School, Poquoson, Virginia mstallin@pen.k12.va.us 7. Our school has gone to a two period day with a half hour for tutorials (Copernican timetable). Kids take two classes at a time for a period of 9-10 1/2 weeks. We adopted this timetable after being on a five-period day. After the term is up, students write final exams then move onto another two subjects. There are four terms during the year. We're just completing the first term of our first year. So far most of the teachers and kids like it. Can let you know more about our impressions if you're interested. Evelyn Wood Agassiz Secondary School Agassiz, B.C. Canada 8. The high school where my son goes has a block schedule. They have 90 minue classes and alternating purple and white days. Everyone seems to like it including the library media specialists who have a full 90 minutes for a class to do more meaningful work than the short crowd-em in and shove them out schedule. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + David V. Loertscher "Library Media Specialists + + President-Elect, AASL Make a Difference." + + <DavidL@csn.org> + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thank You to everyone that helped out in this matter. Ask ERIC was aslo a BIG help. Peter PETER GENCO LIBRARIAN/GERMAN TEACHER FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 7460 MCCRAY ROAD FAIRVIEW, PA 16415, USA PHONE: (814) 474 1369 FAX: (814) 474 1115 email: fairview@iu05trc.trinet.k12.pa.us