Submitted by Rene Carroll for the Washougal School District
Washougal kindergarten through fifth grade classroom schedules for the 2018-19 school year will feature approximately 70 hours of additional instructional time for elementary students. This change is made possible by hiring additional specialist teachers to provide opportunities for teacher preparation and planning time (270 minutes) throughout the week, rather than having a two-hour block of teacher preparation time each Wednesday afternoon. The 40-minute period of time set aside (early release) for teacher Professional Learning Communities will remain in place and consistent for all K-12 schools.
“This 70-hour increase in instructional time provides the equivalent to approximately three extra school weeks, which is nearly 7 percent more classroom time, with teachers for our students,” said Dr. Mike Stromme, WSD Superintendent. “The change will also allow students to have a consistent daily routine, and more consistent schedules for families. This planned change to add specialist time to the elementary school schedule will be equitably implemented across all four elementary schools.”
A committee of teachers and principals met five times this winter to provide ideas and implementation input into the development of increased teacher specialist time.
In addition to regular instructional time, students’ weekly schedule in the 2018-19 school year will include:
- 90 minutes of Physical Education (30+ additional minutes of specialist time)
- 60 minutes of Library/Media Tech (30+ additional minutes of specialist time)
- 60 minutes of Visual Arts (new specialist time)
- 60 minutes of Music (existing specialist time)
“While students are being taught by specialists, their classroom teachers will use this 270 minutes for weekly planning and instructional preparation time,” Stromme said. “Teachers will continue to have 40 minutes of dedicated time on Wednesday afternoons to meet as Professional Learning Communities.”
