MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Middle School will be adding a “flex period” to its bell schedule next school year, a shift that reflects both a response to student needs and changing attitudes surrounding education.
According to Darin Prince, principal at the middle school, this 37-minute daily class period will be a time for students to learn social and emotional curriculum that was previously taught during English and math class periods. It will also be a time where students can get extra help with school work or participate in a social and emotional learning activity — such as a mentorship program or grief support group.
While the staff at the middle school is already providing many of these resources to students, the flex period will make it easier for teachers to focus on mainstream instruction during regular class time. It will also reduce the times students are pulled out of class for things like tutoring.
Prince said that staff will likely develop more groups and workshops for flex time based on observations of student needs.
“If we see a need in the building … we can hold a group on it,” said Prince. “It’s a work in progress, but we’re just trying to meet the needs of all our students.”
Emphasis on social and emotional learning and individualized education are some of the key components of ‘Each Child, Our Future,’ the 5-year strategic plan recently released by the Ohio Department of Education. Another is well-rounded learning, which the school will encourage by eliminating block scheduling. Math and language arts courses will be cut from 88 minutes a day to 59; while social studies and science will gain time, going from 42 to 59 minutes.
Debolt said she is looking forward to the change. She believes students will be less prone to restlessness and more focused and productive, even with less time in her classroom.
“A 60-minute block, honesty, it’s better for sixth graders,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a lot easier to focus on reading and writing instead of focusing on ‘What can we do for 90 minutes to keep their interest?’”
Also starting next year, the middle school classes will begin at 7:40 a.m. and end at 2:36 p.m. in order to better align with the high school schedule.
