Post by title1parent on Sept 14, 2010 5:15:51 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/2705918,2_1_AU14_OSSCHOOLS_S1-100914.article
Students, parents demand block scheduling stay
September 14, 2010
By ROWENA VERGARA and STEVE LORD
OSWEGO -- Before the administration formally presented the Oswego School Board with its 10-year plan for the district, residents spent an hour mostly opposing the proposed changes to block scheduling and a third high school.
More than two dozen people, half of whom were students, pleaded with the board not to change block scheduling, and to hold off on opening a third high school in a cash-strapped school district. Block scheduling enables students to have fewer but longer classes in a given school day.
Students like Nate Vojtik, an Oswego High School sophomore, explained that students enter OHS with a four-year plan focused on a career preference. He worries that an eight-period schedule, with some block courses, could interfere with his academic dreams, something he never doubted until talk of changing block scheduling.
Vojtik is also concerned he will be limited in the number of electives, honors courses and Advanced Placement classes he will be able to take.
"I want to be able to look at my transcript and be proud of what I've done. I may not appear as important to my college, or not as important to myself, without block scheduling," he said to rousing applause from the audience.
Two OHS juniors, Bria Eubanks and Linsey Stoachus, asked the board how they plan to raise funding to run eight periods a day per student, and how honors students will not be negatively affected by the loss of a complete block schedule. The juniors have also circulated a petition which 370 students have signed in opposition to changing block scheduling, Stoachus said.
Peppered in between criticisms of block scheduling changes, residents like Ted Clauser Jr., started with the basics: Where will the district get the money, particularly for a third high school and full-day kindergarten district-wide?
While district officials have said taxpayers will not pay any more to fund full-day kindergarten because general state aid would increase, residents pointed out state funding is anything but dependable.
"How can a state not charge the Oswego School District, when it's having a hard time paying its own bills?" Clauser said.
Dr. Carla Johnson, executive director of education and learning, said that 10 years ago when block scheduling began, and even until today, block is still a valid learning system. But the district, she said, must also follow its mission of being responsive to students.
Prairie State Achievement Exam scores are down at both high schools. Oswego East did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress two years in a row and is on warning status.
The proposed eight-period day could contain one block course of 105 minutes, including programs like Project Lead the Way. Students can also opt for an early bird class”that would begin at 6:30 a.m., according to Johnson.
The community is encouraged to take survey about the proposed third high school, which will be available after today at www.oswego308.org.
Students, parents demand block scheduling stay
September 14, 2010
By ROWENA VERGARA and STEVE LORD
OSWEGO -- Before the administration formally presented the Oswego School Board with its 10-year plan for the district, residents spent an hour mostly opposing the proposed changes to block scheduling and a third high school.
More than two dozen people, half of whom were students, pleaded with the board not to change block scheduling, and to hold off on opening a third high school in a cash-strapped school district. Block scheduling enables students to have fewer but longer classes in a given school day.
Students like Nate Vojtik, an Oswego High School sophomore, explained that students enter OHS with a four-year plan focused on a career preference. He worries that an eight-period schedule, with some block courses, could interfere with his academic dreams, something he never doubted until talk of changing block scheduling.
Vojtik is also concerned he will be limited in the number of electives, honors courses and Advanced Placement classes he will be able to take.
"I want to be able to look at my transcript and be proud of what I've done. I may not appear as important to my college, or not as important to myself, without block scheduling," he said to rousing applause from the audience.
Two OHS juniors, Bria Eubanks and Linsey Stoachus, asked the board how they plan to raise funding to run eight periods a day per student, and how honors students will not be negatively affected by the loss of a complete block schedule. The juniors have also circulated a petition which 370 students have signed in opposition to changing block scheduling, Stoachus said.
Peppered in between criticisms of block scheduling changes, residents like Ted Clauser Jr., started with the basics: Where will the district get the money, particularly for a third high school and full-day kindergarten district-wide?
While district officials have said taxpayers will not pay any more to fund full-day kindergarten because general state aid would increase, residents pointed out state funding is anything but dependable.
"How can a state not charge the Oswego School District, when it's having a hard time paying its own bills?" Clauser said.
Dr. Carla Johnson, executive director of education and learning, said that 10 years ago when block scheduling began, and even until today, block is still a valid learning system. But the district, she said, must also follow its mission of being responsive to students.
Prairie State Achievement Exam scores are down at both high schools. Oswego East did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress two years in a row and is on warning status.
The proposed eight-period day could contain one block course of 105 minutes, including programs like Project Lead the Way. Students can also opt for an early bird class”that would begin at 6:30 a.m., according to Johnson.
The community is encouraged to take survey about the proposed third high school, which will be available after today at www.oswego308.org.