We are excited to announce some changes for the coming school year that we feel will be beneficial to all of our students and families!
Homework Help
We will provide a dedicated time in the school day for students to jumpstart their homework. In keeping with the Thomas Edison Charter School philosophy, homework is important because it helps communicate with home, builds great habits, and strengthens learning; homework expectations will not be removed; however, it is expected that homework time will be greatly reduced. To allow us to incorporate the homework time in the school day, morning greeting will begin at 8:09 each day instead of the current 8:19 time. We added this time to the beginning of the day instead of the end of the day to accommodate the CVTD bus schedule that several of our students utilize. The school day will conclude at our regular time. Please check our daily schedule for specific elementary and middle school details.
Proficiency Support - Elementary
The school day will be organized in a way that will provide time for struggling students to work with teachers and aides in much smaller groups to address specific skill deficiencies. The majority of students will not need this added support, or will only need it for short durations. Proficient students will have the opportunity to participate in the enrichment activities. Teachers will continue to tutor students before and after school. For students who are not proficient in reading and math, tutoring will be by invitation and their attendance will be expected.
Proficiency Support-Middle School
Middle school students will continue to have a seven-class schedule. Students that are struggling in classes due to lack of proficiency or low grades will be pulled out of their elective class and given academic support in the areas of need. Students will be placed back into their elective as they show proficiency in low areas or grades rise sufficiently.
Friday Schedule Consistency
Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, school will consistently dismiss early every Friday at 1:25. There will be no “Dismiss at Noon” days. The ends of grading periods and days before long holidays will also dismiss at this new time. This change will benefit student schedules during the school day and family schedules after the school day; it will facilitate after school pick up and provide consistency for families.
We realize this is a significant impact on each of our families and anticipate great success as we make these changes. As always, we appreciate your input. Many of these changes are directly associated with feedback from you, our supportive parents. We feel the changes will help us better serve students of all ability levels and will benefit all families in a variety of ways. We look forward to maintaining the rigorous classroom environment and the parental involvement that are trademarks of Thomas Edison Charter Schools. We are encouraged that these adjustments will support the affirmation that TECS is ‘where the pathway to college success begins’!
Please feel free to contact the school with any questions regarding these changes.
Sincerely,
Melani Kirk