4J Educator
December 2022, Volume 2
New High School Schedule Selected
At the start of the school year, 4J convened a team of teachers, licensed specialists and district leaders to review new high school schedule options to better serve all students, families and staff.
Following several months of collaborative team work, involving input from parents, students, and all high school teachers and staff, coupled with a fiscal impact review, we are pleased to share that a new schedule, which most closely meets the goals and needs of our system, has been selected.
Beginning in fall 2023, 4J high schools will operate on a 2 semester x 4 class per A/B/C day schedule. This means that the school year will be divided into two semesters with eight classes per semester. Four classes will be held twice a week on alternating days (A/B), with a shorter, flexible schedule (C) on early release day. Now that the new schedule has been selected, we will work to finalize the details, such as which days will be A/B classes and which day will be the shorter flex day.
We understand that this new configuration may be confusing at first as we adjust to a new system. Please bear with us! No one schedule is the definitive solution to student success, but we are excited about the opportunities this new schedule brings to help us maximize impact, specifically for the student groups identified at the onset in our values.
This new schedule provides students with the greatest number of opportunities to obtain credits, balances class length with homework expectations, and provides flexibility to all students so that interventions do not have to come at the expense of electives or participation in affinity groups and enrichment courses. It further increases teacher preparation and planning time throughout the week and has a minimal impact on existing class sizes.
Reminder: Employee Survey Responses Due Friday
Your responses to the anonymous online feedback survey are due this Friday, December 16.
The aim of the survey, which will be repeated in the spring, is to collect your insights to help gauge the current culture and morale in 4J's school buildings, district office and other locations. District leaders are committed to more regularly checking in and hearing from you and also creating the best possible working environment both to ensure your work is meaningful and to support student success.
The survey is managed by Upbeat, a third-party vendor, and all information shared is completely secure and anonymous. If haven't received an email with the survey link, please contact your supervisor.
Tax Season: Get Your W-2 Forms Electronically
