D99 Hybrid Block Schedule 

What are the benefits of the proposed hybrid block schedule and when will it go into effect?

The Hybrid Block Schedule combines the benefits of both the traditional 8 period (50 minute) schedule with a block schedule. The following are key benefits of a hybrid block schedule:

• With the time gained from late start Mondays, decreased number of passing periods on block days and instructional time lost on activities that can now be pushed into the Access Period, instructional time will increase. 
• Increased time, one day a week, for teachers to participate in professional development, meet with colleagues, plan lessons and reach out to families. 
• Increased instructional time one day a week in each class for deeper, extended learning activities.
• Increased time for students to access instructional, social and emotional supports on block days.
• The hybrid block schedule still allows students to take 7 classes - continuing to enable students to take elective classes. 

 

Why aren't we moving to a FULL Block Schedule instead of a "Hybrid?"

In our new Hybrid Block Schedule, students will see every one of their teachers four times a week. A full block schedule would only allow students to see every teacher two or three times a week. We believe the Hybrid Block will provide balance to students as well as more time to build relationships. 

 

Has this type of schedule been used successfully in other districts?

The hybrid block schedule is a model used in other districts throughout the country and in the Chicagoland area. Key schools with a hybrid block schedule are Highland Park, Homewood Flossmoor, and Maine Township. During the 2020-21 school year, District 99, as well as many other districts, utilized a hybrid block schedule.

 

Is there research to support a hybrid block schedule?

There is extensive research supporting the hybrid block schedule as a way to preserve instructional time, support students' academic, social, and emotional needs, and provide opportunities for innovative and extended learning activities. This website provides one example of how a hybrid (modified) block schedule can benefit students and the research behind it. 

 

What measures will be put in place to evaluate the effectiveness of the hybrid block schedule once it is implemented?

Multiple measures, including survey data, will be used to determine the effectiveness of the hybrid block schedule.

 

Why are we starting later instead of ending earlier?

The largest factor that impacts our start and end times is bus transportation. As we share buses with Districts 58 and 68 we then need to design schedules that work together with the other districts. This provides us with a limited number of “windows” where we can run buses. We have chosen a later window to start the day, as research indicates that later start times for high school students is beneficial for learning. 

 

Why are we making this change now?

District 99 has evaluated schedule structures many times over the past 20 years to help better meet student needs, provide flexibility in the day, offer additional supports, reduce stress, and better prepare students for a variety of settings after high school. Up until now, the layout of our facilities has prevented this kind of change. The addition of the Learning Commons at both schools allows us to make these changes now. 

Why were Wednesdays and Thursdays selected as block days?

Traditional 8 period scheduling on Monday and Tuesday ensures that each week starts with students attending every one of their classes. With Fridays being the traditional 8 period schedule, the week ends with students attending every class; therefore, the week begins and ends with students attending every class.

 

Why do block days end with periods 5 and 6 rather than periods 7 and 8?

The block days end with our most common lunch periods (5 and 6) rather than periods 7 and 8 to avoid students having long gaps of time without classes during the middle of the day. 

 

On a block day, what do students do during their “regular” (traditional 8 period schedule) lunch period?

On block days, students will be able to go to the Cafeteria, Learning Commons or Library. Our support services will be available at these times such as Counseling, College and Career Center, Academic or Math Resource, and other resources for students. 

 

With this new schedule, will some students be able to leave early, such as seniors with 8th period release on traditional 8 period schedule days, or students with period 5 or 6 lunch on a hybrid block schedule day?

11th and 12th grade students who are in good standing, on track to graduate, and who have registered for 6 or 6.5 classes may apply for late arrival or early release on days when they begin their day after the first period of the day, or if their last class of the day ends before the last period of the day. This application and arrangement requires parent permission and students are responsible for their own transportation. Students must arrive in time for the Access Period on block days, and will be required to attend some of the Resource Periods throughout the year - including the first 5 weeks of the school year. 

 

How will the hybrid block schedule impact students in special programs such as TCD, Cooperative Work Training (CWT), and Introduction to Teaching?

TCD Students, whether they attend in the morning or the afternoon, will be able to attend on block days. TCD serves 24 schools that send students at different times, so they are equipped to accommodate different schedules. CWT students may be released for multiple periods. CWT teachers will work with employers to accommodate the schedule. Introduction to Teaching is typically periods 2 and 3, so students will have slightly less time for field experience on an individual day.  

 

How long will lunch periods be every day? 

On block days, students will have approximately 45 minutes for lunch. On the traditional 8 period schedule, students will have a full lunch period (approximately 47 minutes), unless they are enrolled in a lunch time curricular intervention, class, or activity.

   

Will there still be resource periods opposite student lunch periods within the hybrid block schedule? How will opposite lunch (e.g., Band, Orchestra, Choir, Math S classes, SAS) activities and classes work on the block days? 

The majority of students will have a full period lunch every day. Although opposite lunch resource (half period) were eliminated at the start of the 2021-22 school year, some students may still participate in opposite lunch activities (Band, Choir, etc.), Keyboarding, or intervention classes (SAS, Math S, EL/Special Education resource). On block days, students will not eat lunch at the same time or during the same period as they do on the traditional 8 period schedule. Further exploration of these opposite lunch classes and block days is needed and will be done prior to implementing a new schedule.

 

Will there still be any early dismissal days (after Teacher Conferences, etc.) and how will the schedule look then? 

Even though a number of activities will be held during the Access Period, there will still be some altered schedule and/or early dismissal days. The hybrid block schedule does not replace the early dismissal following Teacher Conferences. These alternate schedules will be developed after the hybrid block schedule is finalized.

 

Will there be any late start days, like our current late start Mondays, within this new hybrid block schedule? 

Late start Mondays will no longer exist within the hybrid block schedule. By eliminating late start Mondays, start and end times will be the same every day. 

 

With school starting later, when will buses pick students up/drop students off?

We are working on modifying the morning bus runs so they will begin slightly later than in the past. For the most part the buses will pick up students in the afternoon at the same time they currently do. Students may use any extra time in the morning to work on classwork, meet with other students and/or teachers, access the library, etc. In addition, students will have more time in the morning to eat breakfast in the cafeteria. We also may offer more club and activity meetings in the mornings as well. 

Will students be assigned to a specific Access class, and what type of activities will occur during the Access Period? 

The Access Period is designed to be flexible, with approximately one day a week for specific tasks or activities and the other day for students to meet with their teachers for additional help. Examples of the types of activities that may occur during Access Period include, but are not limited to, Positively North/Mustang Way lessons, surveys, bubbling for standardized testing, CSSS and SEL lessons, discipline/dean presentations, and digital citizenship lessons. By completing those activities during the Access Period, instructional time will be saved and fewer altered bell schedules will be necessary. 

 

How will attendance be taken for students who go to one of their teachers for help during the Access Period? 

Sudents will be assigned to an Access class and attendance will be taken.

 

Will teachers be assigned to an Access Period? 

All teachers will receive an Access group assignment for those days when there are assigned activities (PBIS lessons, surveys, bubbling for standardized tests, CSSS programming, etc.). On student help days, teachers will be expected to be in a preassigned room to assist students, as needed.

What is the Resource Period?

On block days, the regular lunch period a student has on Mondays Tuesdays/Fridays is called “Resource;” that time will be utilized for select programming (approximately 40 minutes). After the programming is complete, students will have study time available in the commons spaces, which include the library and cafeteria. 

 

What type of activities will occur during the Resource Period?

Resource will typically occur in large group settings and will contain topics related to school expectations, safety, activities, athletics, high school planning and elective offerings, post secondary planning, and more.

 

Where do students report for the Resource Period?

We will communicate each block day to remind students where they are reporting to for the Resource Period. It will typically be the auditorium or commons; however, that could vary.

How does the hybrid block schedule provide greater flexibility?

The hybrid block schedule provides greater flexibility and increased opportunities for social and emotional learning. By extending the learning for a longer period of time on block days, students will be engaged in learning activities at a deeper level. One of the key advantages of the hybrid block schedule is that teachers still see their students four days a week. 

 

Will teachers be assigned to an Access Period? 

All teachers will receive an Access group assignment for those days when there are assigned activities (PBIS lessons, surveys, bubbling for standardized tests, etc.).  Student support days will differ depending on the model implemented. 

 

How will attendance be taken for students who go to one of their teachers for help during the Access Period?

The administration is working on procedures and practices related to Access Period attendance. 

 

On a block day, what do staff members do during their regular lunch period? 

On a block day, teachers will have a duty free lunch that is built into their schedule. Professional development may be offered and/or required during their regular lunch period.

 

What is the impact of the hybrid block schedule for teachers? 

The schedule on the two block days will have to be taken into consideration when scheduling part-time teachers. In order for teachers to receive a full year credit with TRS, they must teach every day.

 

How will teachers meet for professional development while the students are in the building? 

Late start Mondays for teachers professional development will no longer exist and teachers will be divided into groups for professional development. Teaches will engage in teacher professional development on the block days during their M - T - F lunch period (4, 5,or 6). 

 

What will teacher and support staff supervision (Commons) look like on block days? 

Support staff and teacher duties may include supervision of the Learning Commons. Teacher duties will not be different on block days. For example, a teacher that is assigned to an 8th period study hall will supervise the study hall when period 8 meets on the block day. This means that between the two block days, teachers will only have one duty period.

 

How do teacher office hours work on the block days vs. regular 8-period days? 

Since teacher office hours are outside of the school day, with the exception of the Access Period, there may not be a need for a change in office hours. Teacher office hours may vary by day of the week.

 

Why are we starting later instead of ending earlier?

The largest factor that impacts our start and end times is bus transportation. As we share buses with Districts 58 and 68 we then need to design schedules that work together with the other districts. This provides us with a limited number of “windows” where we can run buses. We have chosen a later window to start the day, as research indicates that later start times for high school students is beneficial for learning. 

 

What will the Transition 99 Schedule be for 2022-23?

T99 will continue to follow a traditional schedule:

• Late Start Mondays - 9:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Tuesday-Friday - 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.