holes in school schedules

Betsy Hammond
Portland parents continue to question new high school schedule with empty periods
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/05/portland_parents_continue_to_q.html
5/9/2011
Topic: Portland School Budget

Basically, this school district is requesting for students to have 6 to 7 classes a day, instead of 8, leaving a 90min block in the day with no teaching, classes, NOTHING. The article did not provide much detail as to how they will supervise, or not supervise students during that block of time.

Key Points: this schedule is offered in efforts to decrease the amount of teachers that need to be cut, and decrease an increase of class sizes. What?

Relevance: You know this might not be a bad idea, if it is handled appropriately. I appreciate the fact that the board is taking risks and coming up with ways to work with their budget, but also keep problems to a minimum for everyone. But if this block goes unsupervised or structured…I don’t even know. Maybe if they get volunteers to help with instructional type activities to help with this block, such as students could: learn Tae Kwon Do! Help out on a farm! Work at a job that works with the school! Clean up the school! Clean up the community! Exercise! This block of free time could be beneficial if handled appropriately.