Greenwich High School (GHS) Principal Ralph Mayo has proposed eliminating flex time and giving more in-class time to teachers of core subjects. Right now, almost every class period is 53 minutes. Lunch block is 55 minutes. The proposed schedule will change each class period to 55 minutes with school finished at 2:55 p.m. The current school day ends at 3:15 p.m.
Flex time explained: The flex period takes place at the end of the school day from 2:50 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. It was added in 2017 when the high school's start time was delayed by an hour. Flex time has since been a designated period for students to get extra help and meet with their school clubs. It also allows student athletes time to get to sports games without missing class.
Teachers Union likes it: The proposal has the support of much of the staff, Lillian Perone, president of the Greenwich Education Association, said at the Thursday Board of Education (BOE) meeting. The teachers union is in support of the change, saying it "increases our core instructional (time) by 29 hours." Note: By adding 2 minutes per class, per day?
Students not sure: But students who attended the meeting said they worried that the change would be a problem for some of the clubs. BOE Chair Karen Kowalski said more students will be needing late buses since without flex, club meetings would most likely take place before or after school. Mayo said club meetings can be held virtually. "But teachers aren't going anywhere," Mayo said. "The students are leaving at five of three, not the teachers."
Taxpayers? School day would start at 8:30 am and end at 2:55 pm (not 3:15 pm). Seems like the more we pay, the less we get.
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