[BHS etree] PTSA: Your Input Is Needed On Academic Change Recommendations

[bhs at idiom.com]

Do not reply to etree, contact "Mark van Krieken" <markvk4 at comcast.net>

On Monday, November 24 and on Tuesday, December 2, BHS will be 
hosting two public forums to solicit your input 
on recommendations for addressing the achievement gap at Berkeley 
High.  The three main components of the plan are to 1) introduce a 
new 7th small school/program, 2) create advisory periods and 3) 
implement block scheduling at BHS.

The BHS Redesign Committee has been working for the past two years on 
various options for school reform intended to address Berkeley High's 
persistent achievement gap. The committee has now released its formal 
proposals, which were presented earlier this week to the School 
Governance Council and the BUSD Board of Directors. Now it's your 
turn.  BHS is seeking community input, and has scheduled two open 
forums to hear from parents, guardians and other community members. A 
copy of the Design Committee's recommendations will be posted 
sometime today on the PTSA website at 
<http://bhs.berkeleypta.org/index.htm#govern>http://bhs.berkeleypta.org/index.htm#govern 
and we strongly encourage you to read the proposals and then attend 
one of the community forums to ask any questions you may have and to 
offer your input on the plans.  The forums will be held on Monday, 
Nov. 24, in the school library from 7 to 8 p.m., and on Tuesday, Dec. 
2, at St. Joseph the Worker Church from 7 to 8 p.m. (There will also 
be two forums for student input; we'll pass along the schedule for 
those meetings once it's known.)

Among the committee's recommendations that would have a major impact 
on the operation of Berkeley High are:

The creation of a new 7th small school/program to start in the fall of 2010.
An alternating block schedule, with four class periods each day. 
Science labs and other zero- and seventh-period classes would be 
scheduled within the regular school day.
The daily schedule of classes would change from the current six 55 
minute periods to four 90 minute periods (four 80 minute periods on 
the two days per week that start with advisories).  Students taking 
six classes would still take 6 classes (out of the eight periods 
scheduled over every two days), with students being offered a variety 
of options for the other two periods (to be outlined at the public 
forums).
Implementation of an advisory program for all students, meeting twice a week.
Late start days each week.
Advisories and block scheduling would begin in the fall of 2009.
These are very important forums.  We hope to see you there!