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CL teachers tell school board about scheduling problems
by Brennan Umthun/MVM news network
DONNELLSON - Last school year the Central Lee School Board, after careful consideration of budget and other factors, made decisions that ultimately affected the amount of time students have with teachers.
On Monday night, three sixth grade teachers presented the board with both the positives and challenges they are observing in and out of their classrooms.
“In the past, sixth grade was a transition year for these students,” said Jean Doty.
“Due to the schedule, students are now thrown into the junior high with the seventh and eighth grade students; going from one teacher in fifth grade to now having five or six classroom teachers a day.”
The teachers added that when the students make the move from fifth to sixth grade it's the biggest jump they've made thus far in their schooling.
“This is the age where they want to excel, plus be a part of the group,” Doty said. “They begin to develop personal interests and abilities at this time.”
The teachers said that at this age the students are more restless, as well.
“We give them active learning experiences,” said Kathy Van Winkle. “Sixth graders are very exuberant, very social. They like to talk a a lot.”
And with the new scheduling sixth grade students no longer eat lunch together.
Lunch-time was when they'd typically see their friends; get the news of the day and socialize.
“Instead they talk to each other in class now,” Doty said. “It seems to be their only time to socialize.”
The teachers explained that when they had block scheduling they had more time for extended lessons. They feel the new scheduling offers no flexibility for their class times.
“And there is limited time to work with students individually before school because they aren't allowed in the building before 8:15 a.m.,” said Doty.
“We also are missing the team time. There is a lack of communication because we rarely see other sixth grade teachers. This is a problem as we may be teaching the same class.”
Team time has been utilized at Central Lee in years past as a tool for teachers to talk amongst themselves, whether it be about what they are doing in each of their respective classes, or even about a student that may be going through internal grief.
Doty said she has noticed some kids getting into trouble routinely, in several classes.
“I haven't been able to talk to those students one on one much, or with the other teachers in team time to discuss the student.
“We as teachers are hoping we can correct some of these problems on our own. We are thinking outside of the box. We are looking for a balance; we don't want to create new problems while we are trying to fix current ones.”
In other district news, high school teachers Alicia Schiller and Tom Boeck received a $9,000 biotech grant to be split between the agricultural and science departments.
The board approved the resignations of Lane Weirather for middle school boys track and Amy Hamlin as a one-on-one elementary special needs associate.
The board also approved the hiring and contract of a new high school baseball coach Kent Benner.
On Monday night, three sixth grade teachers presented the board with both the positives and challenges they are observing in and out of their classrooms.
“In the past, sixth grade was a transition year for these students,” said Jean Doty.
“Due to the schedule, students are now thrown into the junior high with the seventh and eighth grade students; going from one teacher in fifth grade to now having five or six classroom teachers a day.”
The teachers added that when the students make the move from fifth to sixth grade it's the biggest jump they've made thus far in their schooling.
“This is the age where they want to excel, plus be a part of the group,” Doty said. “They begin to develop personal interests and abilities at this time.”
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“We give them active learning experiences,” said Kathy Van Winkle. “Sixth graders are very exuberant, very social. They like to talk a a lot.”
And with the new scheduling sixth grade students no longer eat lunch together.
Lunch-time was when they'd typically see their friends; get the news of the day and socialize.
“Instead they talk to each other in class now,” Doty said. “It seems to be their only time to socialize.”
The teachers explained that when they had block scheduling they had more time for extended lessons. They feel the new scheduling offers no flexibility for their class times.
“And there is limited time to work with students individually before school because they aren't allowed in the building before 8:15 a.m.,” said Doty.
“We also are missing the team time. There is a lack of communication because we rarely see other sixth grade teachers. This is a problem as we may be teaching the same class.”
Team time has been utilized at Central Lee in years past as a tool for teachers to talk amongst themselves, whether it be about what they are doing in each of their respective classes, or even about a student that may be going through internal grief.
Doty said she has noticed some kids getting into trouble routinely, in several classes.
“I haven't been able to talk to those students one on one much, or with the other teachers in team time to discuss the student.
“We as teachers are hoping we can correct some of these problems on our own. We are thinking outside of the box. We are looking for a balance; we don't want to create new problems while we are trying to fix current ones.”
In other district news, high school teachers Alicia Schiller and Tom Boeck received a $9,000 biotech grant to be split between the agricultural and science departments.
The board approved the resignations of Lane Weirather for middle school boys track and Amy Hamlin as a one-on-one elementary special needs associate.
The board also approved the hiring and contract of a new high school baseball coach Kent Benner.
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