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ELMSFORD, N.Y. – After a successful pilot program, the Elmsford Union Free School District will be dismissing children early from school on Mondays to allow for staff collaboration and planning.
When children return back to school after their summer vacations, their time in class Mondays will end approximately 25 minutes earlier than usual. The pilot program, which started at Alexander Hamilton High School in September 2011, was well-liked by the district's administration and staff.
"It was so successful at that level, in terms of our ability to allow staff members to get together and work collaboratively – and reduce the amount of instructional time lost by students in order to accomplish it – that we decided to extend it to the younger levels," said Superintendent of Schools Barbara Peters. "The absolute bottom line is finding ways to improve student achievement. That is the overall purpose."
In past years, teachers met during free school periods. However, officials felt this did not afford a long enough collaboration and did not include enough staff. Starting in September, the school's staff will convene Monday afternoons to discuss students' academic levels among teachers from different grade levels.
"It's nice that we can find some collaborative time for teachers to work together," Peters said. "But if they're not working toward the goal of improving their craft in the classroom and really looking at the needs of the children, and having an opportunity to talk about which students are struggling, then we might as well not be doing this."
With early dismissals, Peters continued, a large number of staff members can share information – including identifying children at risk or in need of more help.
"For the first time, we're going to have 100 percent of the faculty involved in discussions," she said. "Instead of only having three or four teachers together during a free period, now we will have everyone in the same place at the same time. That phrase, 'It takes a whole village to raise a child' – we're trying to bring that whole village together to help our children."
The new dismissal schedule might mean that parents need to rearrange their children's after-school plans. According to Peters, PTA president Liz Aprile mentioned that the early dismissal might affect some families' child care arrangements.
On Mondays beginning in September, students at Alexander Hamilton High School will be dismissed at 1:57 p.m. instead of the regular 2:24 p.m.; from Alice E. Grady Elementary School at 2:25 p.m. instead of 2:50 p.m.; and from Carl L. Dixson Primary School at 2:55 p.m. instead of 3:20 p.m.
Comments (5)
very good points,... tax paying residents, tax paying residents, need to attend the meetings and voice their disapproval with the district otherwise nothing will change. The administration is busy pushing a $20million dollar project rather than addressing the immediate needs of the district. The School Board elected body is oblivious to the problems and the paid administration isn't giving sound professional education options for the board to discuss and consider. $30million annual budget.... 950 students!
Is this any different from manufacturer's who reduce a product's size (contents) to mask what is really a price increase?
If you reduce the student/teacher contact time, perhaps you should reduce their pay as well.
Clearly with all the new devices and software to enhance communication among individuals and networks, this school's staff can only find time during the day to hang out in the teacher's lounge by cutting into the classroom hours.
As important a role as teacher's play, be it educator, guidance counselor or even day care provider, let's remember that the school year is but 10 months at most and that year includes many lengthy vacation periods.
And, pardon my grammar, but even Elmsford, at its worst; ain't no problematic NYC ghetto-based public school.
Hal Samis
they should close this school completely and start over again, the staff is overpaid and the school is run so poorly it's not even funny, I live in Elmsford. I would never send my son to this school. it's an abomination. I pay 10,000 a year in taxes to this dump, thats 100,000 over the next 10 years and it makes me sick
i would be curious to know how parents feel about this. it's not always easy to rearrange after school plans, especially for younger children?