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Reorganizing the School Day: N. Thurston Weighs Options for Elementary Students

Posted on: Tuesday, 18 April 2006, 12:00 CDT

By Venice Buhain, The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

Apr. 18--LACEY -- Making room for more science and social studies in North Thurston elementary schools might require sacrifices by students in band and orchestra.

The district is considering two options to reorganize the elementary school day for fifth- and sixth-graders, but both mean that those in daily band and orchestra classes either will have shorter instrumental classes or will have to give up physical education, general music and art. Both options were presented Monday night at a work session.

The two options would boost class time for social studies and science by 20 to 30 minutes a day, which would allow for more advanced instruction in those subjects in middle and high schools, Superintendent Jim Koval said.

"Without some preparation in those areas, it compounds the job of teachers in the secondary classes," he said. The choice also would make the schools offer more uniform programs.

The board must decide soon if it wants to make a change in time for the 2006-07 school year, said Joe Belmonte, director of the district's Effective Schools program.

Both options would retain daily band and orchestra classes for the fifth and sixth grade, which has been a hallmark of the program, Belmonte said.

Band and orchestra students currently get 40 minutes every day, which teachers have told the board signficantly improves students' ability with their instruments.

"It's been a strong program for many years, and parents and the district have made it a priority," Belmonte said.

If the district opts for the second choice, the district has to figure out how to provide the 100 minutes of physical education a week required by the state, Koval told the board.

"Parents would be making decisions about that," he said. "There are ways to focus on wellness other than the classroom. Band and orchestra are signficantly important to a student and their family. They'll consider other ways."

"Parents may have to step up," Koval said. "We may be in a situation where we can't provide everything to everyone."

"There was no perfect option that would not impact someone, somehow," said North Thurston Education Association president Conni Van Hoose, who has been a part of the committee working on the elementary school day.

Elementary school specialists. including orchestra, music and physical education teachers, and librarians attended work sessions and committee meetings about the elementary school day.

Horizons Elementary School music teacher Chris Traber said she understands that the school district has to balance her classes with children's other educational needs.

"It's a huge challenge for the school board to make a decision," she said.

Options for fifth- and sixth-graders

North Thurston Public Schools are considering a reorganization of the school day for students in fifth and sixth grades.

First option: -- 20 additional minutes a day for instruction in core subjects for all students. -- All students get access to art, music and physical education. -- Instrumental students get less time in band and orchestra classes.

Second option: -- 30 additional minutes a day for instruction in the core subjects for all students. -- More time in band and orchestra classes. -- Instrumental students must find a way to make up physical education requirements and they forego art and general music.

What's next The North Thurston Public Schools district will again present options for reorganizing the elementary school day at a community meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the North Thurston High School Commons, 600 Sleater-Kinney Road, Lacey.

At that meeting, people also can learn about the Healthy Youth Task Force, school boundaries and grade level configurations.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

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Source: The Olympian, Olympia, Wash.

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