# data[].attributes.body
Drop 4th lunch, Drop 2-7 optional schedule and return to a 3:10 dismissal. Having block days are beneficial to those classes who require labs, but they are too long on this current schedule.

# data[].attributes.headline
Let's make sure to survey what is supported by data, experience, and research, as well as to pinpoint what is crucial.  For instance, science and project-based classes NEED block periods.  How long is appropriate and necessary?

# data[].attributes.subject
Let's make sure to survey what is supported by data, experience, and research, as well as to pinpoint what is crucial.  For instance, science and project-based classes NEED block periods.  How long is appropriate and necessary?

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It shouldn't be a thing for students to miss more than once a week for any one activity!  I've regularly had kids miss three out of four for the same sport/activity.  Not acceptable.

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It shouldn't be a thing for students to miss more than once a week for any one activity!  I've regularly had kids miss three out of four for the same sport/activity.  Not acceptable.

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The 7-hour schedule has only further spread our education thin and increased the hectic pace.  It may offer more opportunity to dip one's toes into more puddles, but they are shallower than six puddles and may even offer more opportunity to fail.                                                                                         It nurtures exhaustion.                                              Kids who've passed their classes can still graduate early on a 6-hour schedule, if that's the goal.   We offer plenty of night/summer school opportunity and could still offer 0-hour.  We have a virtual school.  

# data[].attributes.subject
The 7-hour schedule has only further spread our education thin and increased the hectic pace.  It may offer more opportunity to dip one's toes into more puddles, but they are shallower than six puddles and may even offer more opportunity to fail.                                                                                         It nurtures exhaustion.                                              Kids who've passed their classes can still graduate early on a 6-hour schedule, if that's the goal.   We offer plenty of night/summer school opportunity and could still offer 0-hour.  We have a virtual school.  

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Students I've talked to like the idea of two block days with only three class periods apiece.  Me too.

# data[].attributes.subject
Students I've talked to like the idea of two block days with only three class periods apiece.  Me too.

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The early-release Friday is compelling, but if we're on a 7-hour schedule, it would be grueling to have three 7-hour days in a row before a block day.  Even with a 6-hour day, it's a lot!

# data[].attributes.subject
The early-release Friday is compelling, but if we're on a 7-hour schedule, it would be grueling to have three 7-hour days in a row before a block day.  Even with a 6-hour day, it's a lot!

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It is not good for kids to have no certified teachers to work with them.  The district currently has a hiring/retention crisis.  Teachers who are racing through 7 hours, burned out and exhausted is bad for kids.  A day extended to 3:22 versus 3:05 does not help students.  

# data[].attributes.subject
It is not good for kids to have no certified teachers to work with them.  The district currently has a hiring/retention crisis.  Teachers who are racing through 7 hours, burned out and exhausted is bad for kids.  A day extended to 3:22 versus 3:05 does not help students.  

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Keep mod block but with shorter blocks (90 min is too long), CLOSE LUNCH, address kids' need to be social by making the lunch period longer and making the passing time longer (they escape/skip class to satisfy their social needs, how about we address these needs?), etc.

# data[].attributes.subject
Keep mod block but with shorter blocks (90 min is too long), CLOSE LUNCH, address kids' need to be social by making the lunch period longer and making the passing time longer (they escape/skip class to satisfy their social needs, how about we address these needs?), etc.

# data[].attributes.body
My suggestions may not be popular but some of the suggestions above are more about our adult needs rather than the kids'. For ex. moving to 6 periods takes away the chance to enroll in electives and decreases the chances of graduation :( What kids need (regardless of how inconvenient it may be for adults) goes beyond scheduling, a few examples: they need home-rooms/ advisory to pre teach expected behaviors and other things like social media/ civic online reasoning as well as target mental wellness and circles (this is preventative!)- to make this work admin will need to hold us accountable that these topics are covered if a home-room place is actually created. Other examples, let's discard the idea that math classes should follow a sequence and create applied math classes for all grades, create a math intervention (tier 2) program, expand literacy workshop (reading tier 2) to teach reading accuracy to then increase its effectiveness when targeting reading comprehension, improve our IT abilities to be able to limit/ block students' use of phones/ devices for nonacademic purposes, increase the length of the lunch period and passing time. You may ask why- well, let's give kids a way to be social with our approval so they don't have to be tardy or skip class to address their social needs. Increase the number of school assemblies allowing groups/ teams and clubs to be in charge of the programs focusing on celebrating accomplishments to recreate a chesty family atmosphere. We keep saying that we don't have enough time to teach, lets's reassess what we teach -DECREASE homework/ tests/ quizzes, find ways to get students to collaborate on projects (orally why not?!). These kids will not remember information that is not relevant to their lives and current needs.

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If we want to respect students' social-emotional well-being, let's return to a 6-period day.  7 periods drives up our enormous issues with mental health and behaviors.

# data[].attributes.subject
If we want to respect students' social-emotional well-being, let's return to a 6-period day.  7 periods drives up our enormous issues with mental health and behaviors.

# data[].attributes.body
I want to see my students as many days per week as possible. I would absolutely prefer 7 periods 5 days per week. However, I am happy with a 4 days per week compromise with the modified block schedule.

With full block schedule, if a kid misses a day or two during the week because of activities, it may be a whole week before I actually have them in class, which doesn't work.

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Please do not burden our students with the flex mod schedule that Free State is under.  Most of the time, they do not know where students are.  Overlapping classes are a nightmare.  Even more parents will enroll in the surrounding schools to escape a flex mod schedule.

# data[].attributes.subject
Please do not burden our students with the flex mod schedule that Free State is under.  Most of the time, they do not know where students are.  Overlapping classes are a nightmare.  Even more parents will enroll in the surrounding schools to escape a flex mod schedule.

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Students cannot handle 7 periods.   It is driving up the failure rate and attendance problems.  Go back to 6 period days.

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Students cannot handle 7 periods.   It is driving up the failure rate and attendance problems.  Go back to 6 period days.

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Teachers in this building need 2 plan periods.  This building has more behaviors than most, and we need to be able to adequately plan for extraordinary student needs.

# data[].attributes.subject
Teachers in this building need 2 plan periods.  This building has more behaviors than most, and we need to be able to adequately plan for extraordinary student needs.

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I love the idea shared about early dismissal on Fridays.  An early release Friday would mean fewer classes missed by athletics and activities.

# data[].attributes.subject
I love the idea shared about early dismissal on Fridays.  An early release Friday would mean fewer classes missed by athletics and activities.

# data[].attributes.headline
We need a 6-period day.  7 is too many.  The district was more successful with a 6-period day. This might help with the hiring/retention crisis in the district.

# data[].attributes.subject
We need a 6-period day.  7 is too many.  The district was more successful with a 6-period day. This might help with the hiring/retention crisis in the district.

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*Six 60-minute periods per day, three times a week, with Seminar/Advisory time at the END of the day (because we lose late afternoon students to sports /activities 2-3x  a week which is untenable. )                                                            *Semi-block (W-R or R-F) like we have, but 90-minute periods for the block days. (What does data say? More than 90 is way too long?)                   *No 4 class period block days!!!                                              *Three 30-minute lunch periods.          *Seminar/Advisory period can be shorter to accommodate rest of schedule.                                                  *3:05/3:10 dismissal on long days.  *Please, one early-release weekly.                                               *5th hour this year is a disaster.                                                                    *7 courses are too many for kids and many teachers.                                                                  *Avoid like the plague the schedule that  Free State has been running!                                                     

# data[].attributes.subject
*Six 60-minute periods per day, three times a week, with Seminar/Advisory time at the END of the day (because we lose late afternoon students to sports /activities 2-3x  a week which is untenable. )                                                            *Semi-block (W-R or R-F) like we have, but 90-minute periods for the block days. (What does data say? More than 90 is way too long?)                   *No 4 class period block days!!!                                              *Three 30-minute lunch periods.          *Seminar/Advisory period can be shorter to accommodate rest of schedule.                                                  *3:05/3:10 dismissal on long days.  *Please, one early-release weekly.                                               *5th hour this year is a disaster.                                                                    *7 courses are too many for kids and many teachers.                                                                  *Avoid like the plague the schedule that  Free State has been running!                                                     

# data[].attributes.body
The pandemic taught me the value of slowing down, but now we're right back up to that break-neck pace. It would be amazing to have six longish classes, a longer lunch. A slower pace, more time to build relationships and get things done. If this were possible, I imagine so many students and staff would feel more relaxed, less stressed, more productive.

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One idea is to have a seven-period day once a week (say, Mondays) and then do odd hours on Tuesdays/Thursdays and even hours on Wednesday/Fridays. That way we touch base with all classes once a week and then have the rest of the week to dig more deeply into material. (Someone in my department says that's sometimes called "Manic Mondays" or "Frantic Fridays.") 

# data[].attributes.subject
One idea is to have a seven-period day once a week (say, Mondays) and then do odd hours on Tuesdays/Thursdays and even hours on Wednesday/Fridays. That way we touch base with all classes once a week and then have the rest of the week to dig more deeply into material. (Someone in my department says that's sometimes called "Manic Mondays" or "Frantic Fridays.") 

# data[].attributes.body
Moving to a full block, 8 periods, even/odd days, would help us and students get into a rhythm. It would also allow for more project based learning and community contacts. It also brings the stress down on students since homework is staggered. It would allow seminar/homeroom to come back as well with some of the powerful community building. We do need to look at giving teachers two plans.

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I would like to see a 6 period day. With 4 academic classes, students can still take 2 electives every semester. By having 7 periods, we see the students less, causing us to rush instruction more. It feels like there is more importance to having and scheduling electives for students then the core academic classes essential for state standards.

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3 Lunch periods, back to 3:05 dismissal, prefer modified block W/T, Advisory

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3 Lunch periods, back to 3:05 dismissal, prefer modified block W/T, Advisory

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-Would prefer 3 lunch periods (regular 5th hour)
-Create advisory time for Xello, survey, and restorative justice.
-Block days on Wed/Thurs 85 mins
-Move dismissal back to 3:05

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Having an extremely long 5th period is way too much for staff and kids. The lunch schedule should be changed to have 3 lunches or overlapping lunches. It's turning in to babysitting every day.

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* 6-7 hour days Monday, Tuesday, Friday
* Block days Wednesday and Thursday
* Shorten block days to 80 minutes...too long for students!
* 3 lunch periods
* Move end time to 3:10 dismissal

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For the subject I teach, I prefer to see the students every day. I also would like to go back to the original end of day time (3:05 or 3:10).  I could handle the modified block if it were shortened to 85 min. 

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For the subject I teach, I prefer to see the students every day. I also would like to go back to the original end of day time (3:05 or 3:10).  I could handle the modified block if it were shortened to 85 min. 

# data[].attributes.body
I

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The current start time 8:00 and end time 3:22 was hard to adapt to when we need to alter times a few years ago. It has become extremely taxing on staff and students. I don't see the reason to be keeping it. Switch it back!!

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As a math teacher, I prefer having my students 5 days as week in order to avoid gaps in instruction as much as possible. During the extended block days, many students can still only handle 1 regular day's worth of instruction, so it turns into a glorified study hall where I spend more time trying to find activities to keep them busy. After an hour, the students check out mentally. Since I understand science classes need the longer times for certain labs, I can work with the current schedule of Wednesday and Thursday block. If we were to move the block to Thursday and Friday, we would end up having one group of kids having a three-day break from Math every week, which would be even worse.

# data[].attributes.body
*Move back to 3:10 dismissal
*3 lunches (regular length 5th period)
*Block days on Wed/Thurs

# data[].attributes.body
Shorten block periods to 80 minutes.  Return to a six-period schedule.  It doesn't seem like any of the purported "advantages" of the 7-period schedule have worked out.

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Let's shorten blocks and add a seminar. But definitely keep the blocks at twice a week. And get us out at 3:05.

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Let's shorten blocks and add a seminar. But definitely keep the blocks at twice a week. And get us out at 3:05.

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3 lunch periods, back to 3:05/3:10 dismissal, prefer 7 hour schedule day.

# data[].attributes.subject
3 lunch periods, back to 3:05/3:10 dismissal, prefer 7 hour schedule day.

# data[].attributes.body
I understand that a block schedule is necessary for some subject areas. If we must have block days, I would prefer to stay with our current modified block (MTF, block W/Th)

# data[].attributes.body
lots of good ideas identified here. I agree with returning to 3 lunch periods, continue the modified block as it now stands, and return to 3:05 dismissal. As someone stated, the majority should not have to adjust their lives for the few who get to sleep in each day.

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Go back to 3 lunch periods and normal 5th hour.  

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Go back to 3 lunch periods and normal 5th hour.  

# data[].attributes.body
Love the idea of getting back to being done at 3:10. I feel like block scheduling is huge for my class for many reasons, but it gives me a chance to dig deeper and accomplish more detailed work in a class period with students. With students having class online, block days are the days where we really dig and build those gaps between their middle school and high school education. This same thinking can be applied to my upperclassmen too, there is much that they missed out on that we are still playing catch up. Block days allow the time to make up some ground in learning.

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Can we overlap lunch periods in order to get back to 3 instead of 4?

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I really need some block days for classes to get labs done or to schedule local field trips. It helps break up the weekly schedule too.

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I really need some block days for classes to get labs done or to schedule local field trips. It helps break up the weekly schedule too.

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I really enjoy the modified block schedule. My issue is with the 8AM-3:22PM schedule. We used to get out at 3:00PM and I would have from 3:00-3:50PM to work with students after school before my "duty day" was finished. This time was super helpful to help students master content, make up labs, study for tests and give me time set up class for the next day. I find myself having to stay past the normal duty day to accomplish all these things with the current schedule. The extra 22 minutes everyday stinks:-(

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Yes from me and the majority of my students. According to the kids they are too long .. I am fine either way.

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I know there are a lot of mixed feelings about block days, but I think it comes down to who uses more work intensive labs and who doesn’t as much. For me, I absolutely need block days and could do without the “normal” days. If I could have all blocks, I’d take it. It takes art students a bit of time to set-up, get into the “grove” and create at a high level. Then clean-up takes time too. If we have to have critiques, discussions, brainstorming sessions, demos and/or lectures, then there is absolutely no time outside of the blocks. Block days are actually equivalent to 3-4 normal days of work. Yes, block days are harder on students who just don’t want to be in school, but they don’t want to be in any class block or otherwise. Personally I think if our goal is to prepare and train students for college and/or employment, then switching to a schedule more like a college schedule or more like a work day would be logical and appropriate. In a very short amount of time these students will need to be able to sit and focus for 3+ hours at a time (most college lab courses in the arts) or work in a job for 8+ hours at a time. Having some of their classes on a block, modified block, or even extended block schedule would begin to prepare them for what is to come. I love Big Mike’s idea….and it would provide a longer weekend for those not involved in sports.

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It doesn't matter to me. I teach in 45 minute lessons. So, on block days I can get approximately 2 lessons finished. I think it's harder for kids to stay engaged in a technical subject like accounting, however, so I always take a 5 minute break on block days. It's much more detrimental for a student to be absent on a block day than a regular day.

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I have mixed emotions about block scheduling.  While it does allow for a deeper lab experience (like Rose being able to use complex recipes), my curriculum is written assuming 55 minute periods.  Therefore, students get confused when we complete multiple activities/projects in a day.  It is also hard for students who are absent to make up that work & they fall behind (like Angelia said).  Therefore starting a downward spiral for their grade.  I have a lot of the absent students.... 42% of my students are identified as "attendance concern" or "truant" in PowerSchool.  Once my students grades start to fall, they shut down.  Even when I accept all late work without penalty, offer times before school, after school, & in the evening for one-on-one help, & allow them to use their workbooks as a resource on tests, they do not engage.  They flat out refuse to work. Honestly, my first thought when I read this was... "is this how they are going to push us to the Free State flex mode schedule?"  Then I did some reflecting on the schedules I've worked with at previous schools.  I think one of the best that I have seen implemented at the high school level was a 7-period day with a homeroom/seminar/free reading time scheduled right after lunch.  Students were able to use this time to make up work or meet with teachers on a regular basis for assistance.  From an FFA Advisor standpoint, it was time that I could hold monthly meetings & get students involved.  It also allowed me to have my officer team in the same space at the same time for planning chapter meetings & activities.  I did like the short period wednesday we had last year with hybrid learning.  It allowed me to check in with my students individually.

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For my class, I really do not need block days, we get a lot accomplished during the regular day. Now if the district gave me the budget to get specimens for dissecting, then I would need block days to get things done.

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I personally like block days because my students can spend extended time on photographing.  I also think it gives students a chance to have fewer classes on those 2 days without having all 7 classes.  The problem of truancy and behavior problems, I feel, is linked to students who are failing or doing nothing in class already and it is hard for them to do nothing for a longer period of time.  They are bored because they don't like school or don't find the importance of school.  I think the greater issue is, if students have no chance of passing classes, what are effective methods of dealing with these students.  Maybe put steps in place for what happens next.  I know this is on a case by case basis but it does seem like a lot of students fall through the cracks.

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I need the block days for my students. They get much more done on a block day than they do in 2 regular class periods. As a project based class that time is very useful. While I realize that attendance on the shortened day might be an issue for some, I haven't really noticed any difference in my classes.  Side note about our Wednesday shortened day... With the budget issues the district is having now, I do think that I have a way for them to save money.  If they moved the shortened day to Friday, the amount of athletic subs alone should decrease dramatically.  There is the issue of course that since it is a half day more people might take the day off I suppose, but from a cost savings standpoint I think it is an interesting idea. While I realize that attendance on the shortened day might be an issue for some, I haven't really noticed any difference in my classes.

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I LOVE the block days.  We are cooking on those days and the longer time period allows us to accomplish more than basic recipes.  We would be very limited in the kinds of things we made if classes were shorter.

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I personally really like the modified block schedule. The Wednesday/Thursday extra time is instrumental for having enough time for film shoots (which we really cannot reasonably accomplish in 52 minutes on M-T-F). The non-block schedule of last year (e.g. 7 classes per day) was overwhelming for students and did not permit for extra time to go deep into course content and project refinement. Modified block schedules make sense to us CTE teachers but I can see why core subjects like math may feel frustrated. I think we can do a couple things about it -- let students use the extra time in block periods to finish up work in other classes (if they have it), and do not introduce new assignments on Fridays. And give students 10 minute breaks in the middle of the period. Those strategies have had success when I've introduced them. I would adamantly oppose going back to 7 periods every day.

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I think we should shorten block schedule classes and add a seminar and then give us some input into who is in our seminar and then we do all the Individual plans of study things in that seminar.

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I need block days for projects and to use as catch up for those who are behind. Block days allow us to make major progress on projects and it also allows me to give more one on one instruction and assist those who are not understanding material. I like the current schedule.

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Return to a six period day. Seven classes are too many for students and teachers to prepare for. Teachers are overwhelmed with our workload, more classes, and students has made this problem grow.

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Block length:

Shorten them to 80 minutes and build in 30-minute homeroom idea

# data[].attributes.body
3:10 dismissal, drop the 4th lunch, if that is the hang-up.

IF, the late arrival kids need the extra time- have them stay.

Why do 1500 people have to stay because a handful of kids don’t have 1st hour???

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The idea of moving blocks to Thursday / Friday with Friday being on a “Wednesday” schedule.  An early release on Friday would allow fewer classes to be missed by activities and athletics.  Also, fewer staff may take Fridays off if it’s a shorter day.

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We should get back to getting out of school at 3:10. Get rid of the 4th lunch or however we need to do it. It’s exhausting for students and teachers.

# data[].attributes.body
The idea of moving block to Thursday / Friday with Friday being on a “Wednesday” schedule.  An early release on Friday would allow fewer classes to be missed by activities and athletics.  Also, fewer staff may take Fridays off if it’s a shorter day.

# data[].attributes.body
establish a 30 minute *homeroom* between 1st & 3rd hours on Thursday block days; would give us a chance to administer surveys, Xello, and build relationships with a single cohort of students
This will also break up the 4 period block day.

# data[].attributes.body
It would be nice to have a built-in time outside of 5 th hour to complete surveys, circles, announcements, etc…