Questions and Answers about Common Planning

Q. WHAT IS "COMMON PLANNING"? A. Can you imagine trying to change a tire while your car speeds down the road at 55 mph? Can you imagine trying to build a house without blueprints or having the various contractors to meet to discuss the plans? For decades, America's schools have been trying to operate without providing faculties the time they need to STOP, THINK, PLAN, and MAKE CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE. Grass Lake Community Schools is committed to providing such time for its professional staff. We believe that when 100% of the faculty is involved in school improvement and is given the time they need to do the job, we can do an even better job for kids! Our goal? To spend two hours every Wednesday morning designing the "blueprints for a better education"! Q. HOW DOES COMMON PLANNING WORK? A. Each Wednesday, staff would report to work at their regular time (7:40), but students would arrive two hours later than usual (at 9:45). During those two hours, staff would devote their time exclusively to working together on school improvement tasks. Q. WHAT KIND IF THINGS WILL THE STAFF BE DOING? A. Our top priority is fully coordinating the K-12 curriculum to ensure that each skill is taught for mastery at a specific grade level, duplication of efforts is eliminated, and no skill is missed along the way. We would begin immediately to work on math, writing, science, and computer curricula. We would also spend that time on: improving MEAP scores, meeting state mandates, our North Central Association accreditation plan, and developing cross-grade and cross-disciplinary teaching strategies (e.g., in English and Social Studies or math and science). Q. WHY CAN'T THESE THINGS BE DONE AFTER SCHOOL? A. We have tried for years to do these

kinds of things after school. Teachers spend many days after school in meetings, but never or rarely with the full staff present. Many staff members take classes after school, have extra-curricular responsibilities and/or family commitments. Genuine improvement takes time -- and the participation of the entire K-12 staff. Q. WHAT CLASSES WILL STUDENTS MISS ON WEDNESDAYS? A. None! No classes will be eliminated on Wednesdays; all classes will be shortened by a few minutes. Q. WHAT WILL I DO ABOUT CHILD CARE DURING THOSE TWO EXTRA HOURS PER WEEK? A. We realize that this plan will create an inconvenience for some parents on Wednesday mornings. A solution for some parents may be the before and after school child care program which will be available, for a fee, at George Long Elementary. The KIDS' CLUB will begin service for students in grades K-6 on Monday, August 30, 1993. Please call the superintendent's office for more information: 522-8491. Also, the district will help to connect students or adults who would like to offer baby-sitting/child care services on Wednesday mornings with those who need services. If you, or your junior or senior high son or daughter, are interested in offering child care or baby-sitting service for two hours each Wednesday morning, please call the superintendent's office or the high school (522-8491 or 522-8494). We will place your name and number on a referral list. If you are interested in hiring a junior or senior high school student, or an adult, to provide child care on Wednesday mornings, please call the superintendent's office or the high school for more information. Q. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WEDNESDAY MORNINGS? A. There are many benefits for students. The late arrival midway through the week gives students time to rest and get refreshed for the last half of the week. Many older