TARGET: Middle School Calendar/Scheduling

["Joan Enders,]

Greetings from Longview WA!
My school's site-based committe has asked me to inquire for responses from
middle schools regarding their yearly calendars, number of instructional
periods/blocks per day, and successes in widening elective courses and
curricula.

We are currently locked into a traditional 50-minute, 6 period day, with teachers
 specializing in one grade (6.7 or 8) only.  Many want to increase the possible
class offering by extending periods to 7 or 8, and even more are campaigning
for either shorter, but more frequent breaks during the school year.

I feel that as library media specialists we can overlook the effects on all
programs and make some pretty good recommendations.

Please address any responses to me directly at: jenders@vaxt.longv.wednet.edu.

I will post as a hit as soon as I receive a good varied response, or at the
end of one month.

Thanks and cheers!
Joan Enders
jenders@vaxt.longv.wednet.edu