Press release from Fort Wayne Community Schools:
FWCS’ 2010-11 schedule offers weekly professional development
Fort Wayne Community Schools’ students, staff and parents will be adjusting to a new schedule for the 2010-11 school year with longer days and time set aside every Wednesday for staff professional development.
(June 29, 2010) – Starting in the fall, elementary students will be in session from 8:55 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (previously, 8:50 a.m.-3:20 p.m.); middle school students will be in session from 7:30 a.m.-2:25 p.m. (previously, 7:55 a.m.-2:35 p.m.); and high school students will be in session from 7:30 a.m.-2:35 p.m. (previously, 8 a.m.-2:35 p.m.). Bunche Early Childhood Center and Towles Intermediate School will remain on their existing schedules: 8:10 a.m.-2:20 p.m. for Bunche and 8 a.m.-2:35 p.m. for Towles. Weisser Park Elementary School will continue to have its Ensemble Arts Program beginning at 7:45 a.m. Memorial Park Middle School will be in session from 7:25 a.m.-2:40 p.m. (previously, 7:40 a.m.-2:35 p.m.). Anthis Career Center will be in session from 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m.
Beginning Sept. 1 through June 1, all schools will have a 30-minute student delay every Wednesday to allow for staff professional development. This schedule meets or exceeds the state-required minimum number of minutes per day at each grade level, while providing a consistent schedule for parents and teachers to follow throughout the year.
“The scheduling changes we are making are part of our plan to transform the way we deliver education,” Superintendent Dr. Wendy Robinson said. “It is critical that we offer professional development for our staff, knowing that training is most valuable when it is embedded on the job and allows for collaboration among staff members. Despite funding cuts, FWCS is focusing resources in the classroom and professional development to further increase improvements in student achievement.”
Breakfast will continue to be served on Wednesdays and the YMCA before-school program will accommodate students for the additional 30 minutes. Any weather-related delays supersede the professional development delay.
The 2010-11 schedule also includes parent-teacher conferences for all levels (pre-k-12). Conferences will be held in the evening on Nov. 3 and 4 and March 30 and 31. As a result, there will be no school on Friday, Nov. 5, and Friday, April 1.
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