Comments for PTSA http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa Website of Eckstein's Parent Teacher Student Association Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:05:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Schedule Feedback by Eckstein dad http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/02/06/schedule-feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-508 Eckstein dad Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:05:59 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=156#comment-508 We have discussed the potential schedules posted on the school website, and our student prefers the "Social Studies/PE Semester Schedule" for her 7th and 8th grade years. We concur with her selection. It is important to her to have both music and foreign language electives available for a full year, so we are willing to forgo the issues with social studies. If it is possible, it would also be great if the school start time could be changed to between 8:30 - 9:30 am. Thanks for taking our opinion into account during your decision making process. We have discussed the potential schedules posted on the school website, and our student prefers the “Social Studies/PE Semester Schedule” for her 7th and 8th grade years. We concur with her selection. It is important to her to have both music and foreign language electives available for a full year, so we are willing to forgo the issues with social studies.

If it is possible, it would also be great if the school start time could be changed to between 8:30 – 9:30 am. Thanks for taking our opinion into account during your decision making process.

]]> Comment on Schedule Survey Results by Beatrix Bolstad http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/02/06/schedule-survey-results/comment-page-1/#comment-507 Beatrix Bolstad Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:01:33 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=132#comment-507 I'm very happy that students will get a full year of science next year, but the scheduling issues are huge, and the loss of some other subject is not something I'm pleased about. Too bad we can't just add another period to the day and plenty of science teachers! •••Our family feels the music program is a core part of Eckstein's identity and appeal. We would gladly drop PE for music. We also feel a world language and social studies are vital preparation for high school and college. Social studies (especially when coordinated with language arts as it has been so far (6th and 7th)) is crucial preparation for learning how to "write to learn". ••A/B+C option: We don't like this - it doesn't make sense to us to make teachers plan activity classes when they need to be using their time to plan lessons and provide meaningful feedback to students for their regular classes. That's where we want our daughter's teachers' energies to go! Also, what subject/time is lost by adding the activity to the schedule for 45 minutes per day? I don't think we want to be giving up any current classes or instructional time. ••SS/PE Semester: Social studies has been an integral part of learning expository and persuasive writing in our daughter's curriculum. The coordination/teaming with LA has been very strong. Not to mention the understanding of the content areas covered in social studies that she's gaining - she's learning to be a US and world citizen, and she loves it. There's no other subject at Eckstein that teaches that. So it would also not be our first choice to give up. Our daughter would much rather give up PE, and she shares the concern, as do we, that PE as currently taught is not a good use of time. Another concern is that some social studies teachers would have to switch to science - that's a short timeline for learning a new discipline and curriculum, so we wonder what the science instruction will be like... On the other hand, the music and foreign language are very important to us, and this schedule continues a full year for each. ••7 period day: The clear disadvantage is that it reduces each class period to being too short to accomplish anything meaningful, or to develop meaningful instructional relationships with the students. I’m very happy that students will get a full year of science next year, but the scheduling issues are huge, and the loss of some other subject is not something I’m pleased about. Too bad we can’t just add another period to the day and plenty of science teachers!
•••Our family feels the music program is a core part of Eckstein’s identity and appeal. We would gladly drop PE for music. We also feel a world language and social studies are vital preparation for high school and college. Social studies (especially when coordinated with language arts as it has been so far (6th and 7th)) is crucial preparation for learning how to “write to learn”.
••A/B+C option: We don’t like this – it doesn’t make sense to us to make teachers plan activity classes when they need to be using their time to plan lessons and provide meaningful feedback to students for their regular classes. That’s where we want our daughter’s teachers’ energies to go! Also, what subject/time is lost by adding the activity to the schedule for 45 minutes per day? I don’t think we want to be giving up any current classes or instructional time.
••SS/PE Semester: Social studies has been an integral part of learning expository and persuasive writing in our daughter’s curriculum. The coordination/teaming with LA has been very strong. Not to mention the understanding of the content areas covered in social studies that she’s gaining – she’s learning to be a US and world citizen, and she loves it. There’s no other subject at Eckstein that teaches that. So it would also not be our first choice to give up. Our daughter would much rather give up PE, and she shares the concern, as do we, that PE as currently taught is not a good use of time. Another concern is that some social studies teachers would have to switch to science – that’s a short timeline for learning a new discipline and curriculum, so we wonder what the science instruction will be like… On the other hand, the music and foreign language are very important to us, and this schedule continues a full year for each.
••7 period day: The clear disadvantage is that it reduces each class period to being too short to accomplish anything meaningful, or to develop meaningful instructional relationships with the students.

]]> Comment on Schedule Feedback by ahumphrey http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/02/06/schedule-feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-506 ahumphrey Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:22:53 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=156#comment-506 There's no technical reason not to have the alternating weeks. However, teachers were very concerned about only seeing students twice a week, hence the 'C'. - Alan There’s no technical reason not to have the alternating weeks. However, teachers were very concerned about only seeing students twice a week, hence the ‘C’.

- Alan

]]> Comment on Schedule Feedback by Eckstein dad http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/02/06/schedule-feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-505 Eckstein dad Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:53:26 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=156#comment-505 Is there a technical reason why a straight A/B schedule (A/B/A/B/A week alternating with a B/A/B/A/B) can't be done? The A/B+C schedule really puts me off with a Wednesday schedule that meets for each class on an abbreviated schedule. Also, the "Activity" period for the A/B+C schedule could be perceived as a "throwaway" period. For example, the shortened periods for current late arrival/early dismissal days aren't very efficiently used. Is there a technical reason why a straight A/B schedule (A/B/A/B/A week alternating with a B/A/B/A/B) can’t be done? The A/B+C schedule really puts me off with a Wednesday schedule that meets for each class on an abbreviated schedule.

Also, the “Activity” period for the A/B+C schedule could be perceived as a “throwaway” period. For example, the shortened periods for current late arrival/early dismissal days aren’t very efficiently used.

]]> Comment on Schedule Feedback by ahumphrey http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/02/06/schedule-feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-504 ahumphrey Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:04:24 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=156#comment-504 Hi Gail - Just wanted to let you know that PE Waivers are not a done deal yet. Whether or not they'll be allowed at the Middle School level is still being discussed at the district. If they are allowed the waiver form will be part of the registration paperwork we get for next year. - Alan Humphrey Building Leadership Team Parent Representative Hi Gail -

Just wanted to let you know that PE Waivers are not a done deal yet. Whether or not they’ll be allowed at the Middle School level is still being discussed at the district.

If they are allowed the waiver form will be part of the registration paperwork we get for next year.

- Alan Humphrey
Building Leadership Team
Parent Representative

]]> Comment on Schedule Feedback by Gail Dahl http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/02/06/schedule-feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-503 Gail Dahl Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:49:37 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=156#comment-503 I am interested in getting paperwork for PE waiver I am interested in getting paperwork for PE waiver

]]> Comment on Schedule Changes at Eckstein by Mary Machala http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/01/29/schedule-changes-at-eckstein/comment-page-1/#comment-502 Mary Machala Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:40:58 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=129#comment-502 I'm in favor of the 7 period day and really love the idea that Leslie Riley posted. I have same problem with my son - music/spanish/art - no art since no room in current schedule. I think shorter classes could work but would require both students and teachers. My 7th grade son favors the SS/PE schedule because its closest to what happens now. Can't really see how the AB/C schedule would work; too long a class can mean possible boredom? I’m in favor of the 7 period day and really love the idea that Leslie Riley posted. I have same problem with my son – music/spanish/art – no art since no room in current schedule. I think shorter classes could work but would require both students and teachers. My 7th grade son favors the SS/PE schedule because its closest to what happens now. Can’t really see how the AB/C schedule would work; too long a class can mean possible boredom?

]]> Comment on Schedule Changes at Eckstein by Eckstein Student http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/01/29/schedule-changes-at-eckstein/comment-page-1/#comment-500 Eckstein Student Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:43:32 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=129#comment-500 just leave it how it is...........dont make the school day longer.......EVERTONE would HATE it. trust me i no!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just leave it how it is………..dont make the school day longer…….EVERTONE would HATE it. trust me i no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> Comment on Sample Schedules by PTSA » Initial Teacher Schedule Feedback http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/01/29/sample-schedules/comment-page-1/#comment-499 PTSA » Initial Teacher Schedule Feedback Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:42:01 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=138#comment-499 [...] Sample Schedules [...] [...] Sample Schedules [...]

]]> Comment on Schedule Changes at Eckstein by Leslie Riley http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/2009/01/29/schedule-changes-at-eckstein/comment-page-1/#comment-498 Leslie Riley Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:59:05 +0000 http://ecksteineagles.org/ptsa/?p=129#comment-498 I am not able to attend the meeting with Kim so here is my two cents worth. In order to accomodate the new mandate for p.e. and science, can homeroom be nixed, and all periods shortened a bit,or the school day lengthened, in order to allow seven real periods? This would let students continue to have two electives. Homeroom announcements and attendance can be incorporated into the first period class, as it is in high school. It is important that kids still get at least two electives! Another option which worked great in my junior high was to have elective classes on alternating days, all year long. That way students got all the classes, just every other day for electives. Math, language arts, social studies, p.e., and science could be everyday. We had an A day - B day schedule that rotated weekly: one week it went A-B-A-B-A, the next week was B-A-B-A-B. If no homeroom, this would make room for four electives, two on A day, two on B day. Kids could get 1/2 year of band, language, visual art, and technology. I would much rather my child get a half year of each of these than have to choose one or the other. My son very much wanted to take Mr. Wysen's CAD class, but because he had band and Spanish, he couldn't do so. My daughter would love to take art, but has the same situation, so can't take it. Thank you. I am not able to attend the meeting with Kim so here is my two cents worth. In order to accomodate the new mandate for p.e. and science, can homeroom be nixed, and all periods shortened a bit,or the school day lengthened, in order to allow seven real periods? This would let students continue to have two electives. Homeroom announcements and attendance can be incorporated into the first period class, as it is in high school. It is important that kids still get at least two electives!
Another option which worked great in my junior high was to have elective classes on alternating days, all year long. That way students got all the classes, just every other day for electives. Math, language arts, social studies, p.e., and science could be everyday. We had an A day – B day schedule that rotated weekly: one week it went A-B-A-B-A, the next week was B-A-B-A-B. If no homeroom, this would make room for four electives, two on A day, two on B day. Kids could get 1/2 year of band, language, visual art, and technology. I would much rather my child get a half year of each of these than have to choose one or the other. My son very much wanted to take Mr. Wysen’s CAD class, but because he had band and Spanish, he couldn’t do so. My daughter would love to take art, but has the same situation, so can’t take it. Thank you.

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