I have had the good fortune to have worked in elementary schools with both
types of schedules. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. I
started out with a fixed schedule and when I began working with a flex
schedule, initially I didn't know what I was going to do all day. The time
filled rapidly. Here is my take:
Fixed Advantages:
-getting to know all the kids
-getting to know all the teachers (at least a little bit)
-job security
-being able to implement your own lesson plans and activities, as well
having a routine that the students learn so they behave well when they come
in
Fixed Disadvantages:
-being considered a 'caretaker' by some of the teachers or principal and not
consulted for anything in the way of curriculum
-not having time to work with any groups of students/classes in depth
-not being able to collaborate to add to the curriculum
Flex Advantages:
-every day is different and challenging
-more time for collaboration and creation of in-depth lessons
-getting to know specific groups of students well
-being available for inclusion in leadership groups and special events
-having the opportunity to participate in a wider variety of subject area
lessons
Flex Disadvantages:
-some teachers never want to use the library and don't bring their classes,
regardless of your efforts to invite them in
-you are expected to be the 'gofer' for activities because you have a flex
schedule (I could put this in either place I suppose--it was fun to plan
events such as the volunteer thank you banquet, but time consuming)
-some teachers don't think you do anything because you do not have a set
schedule
-There are far too many among us (though likely NOT on LM_Net) who give us
all a bad name by doing very little on a flex schedule. I replaced one who
was said to read the paper most of the day and another whose computer was
full of downloaded games
On Sun, Jul 11, 2010 at 6:01 PM, Wendy Stoll <wenreads@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I, too, am an advocate, more or less, of fixed scheduling in elementary
> school.
> It's true that it's job security, but it's also ensuring the children learn
> to
> use and appreciate a school library at all. My caveat is, if there's not
> enough
> time to help out the teachers, or allow a little bit of open access, let
> alone
> do routine library work, it's not telling much about a library. Ideally,
> there
> would be time for both <sigh>.
>
> Wendy Stoll, Librarian
> Smyrna Elementary School
> Louisville, KY
> wenreads@yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: "Ermlick, Judy E" <jermlick1@PGHBOE.NET>
> To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Sent: Sat, July 10, 2010 3:27:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [LM_NET] "What's So Special About Specials" Comment
>
> I seldom say "me too"-- but I agree with Wendy-- seeing everyone is an
> advantage yes, but the reality is that I've watched middle school teachers
> fight for flex scheduling-- only to be cut the next year. Even at the
> elementary
> level, if the library has a librarian 3 days-- teachers are told to just
> find
> the time to send them and often it is only a small percentage of "library
> users"
> who get to go. Yes I've known alot of librarians who are dynamic and make
> it
> work-- but, I've watched some of the best be cut in a heart beat-- unless
> they
> are providing that almighty prep period, or doing lunch duty or something
> that
> admin needs to ,eet the needs of the organization of the building. But I
> can
> honestly say that every kid-- at one time we had seven special ed
> classrooms-
> now included-- but every kid hears the stories, learns about how to use A
> library, and had some tech skills. Yes I sometimes miss the individuality
> of
> some libtary work-- but when I see schools without libraries AT ALL, and
> students that are in high school before they even SEE a librarian, I too am
> very
> thankful for my 8 periods a day, 5 days a week life.
>
> Judy Ermlick
> John Minadeo School
> Pittsburgh Public Schools
> 6502 Lilac St.
> Pittsburgh, Pa. 15217
> jermlick1@pghboe.net
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: School Library Media & Network Communications on behalf of Wendy
> Rosenzweig
> Sent: Sat 7/10/2010 9:42 AM
> To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> Subject: "What's So Special About Specials" Comment
>
>
>
> I would like to respond to comments made about the elementary fixed
> scheduling.
> I feel very lucky to have the fixed schedule as I get to see all 450
> students
> every week for all seven years they are in my school. I am able to grow
> with
> them. I know what books they like and I am able to expand my library
> collection
> really knowing my customers! Yes, sometimes I am frustrated that I only
> have
> them for 40 minutes and then they leave but I know they will be back the
> next
> week! I also work very hard to establish good relationships with my
> teachers
> through projects, reading programs and contests. And the best part of all;
> as
> major cuts are being made in the NJ public school systems I don't have to
> worry
> about my job being cut because I am a prep for the teachers! A fixed
> schedule is
> not a curse at all, it's just something that works in many elementary
> schools.
>
> Wendy Rosenzweig
> Roosevelt School
> River Edge, NJ
> buzz1129@verizon.net
>
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--
Cheryl Youse, MLS
Media Specialist
Colquitt County High School
Moultrie, GA
cyouse@gmail.com
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