Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 1, 1990 TAG: 9006010103
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
The change, under study for several months, takes effect this fall.
Momentum for the seven-period day resulted from a survey of Radford High and Dalton Intermediate students, parents and faculty that showed strong support for an additional class period, especially at the high school.
The board has not made a decision on specific courses to offer during the extended class time.
The optional period for middle and high schoolers will start at 7:35 a.m. The school day would begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.
Bus schedules for the fall also will change to accommodate the early period. Elementary school stuents will start their class day 10 minutes later, at 8:55 a.m., and let out at 3:15 p.m.
In a letter to Superintendent Michael Wright, McHarg Elementary Principal Betty Henry said teachers at her school were concerned that, because of parents' schedules, children would continue to be dropped off as early as 7:45.
"These children will be sitting and waiting for school to begin for well over an hour. . . ,"she wrote. "For small children, this is a long time before a day of work begins."
School Board member Carter Effler suggested students not enrolled in a zero-period class be offered a "homework helper" program before regular classes.
In other action, the board unanimously approved a tuition-free remedial summer school for elementary students who scored poorly in the Iowa Test of Basic Skills or who did not pass the sixth-grade Literacy Passport test.
Sessions at McHarg and Belle Heth schools begin July 9, 9-11 a.m. Classes will cover math, reading and writing.
Chairman John McPhail suggested the possibility of requiring summer class attendance. "That might be a requirement to move into the next grade level that they do come back [during the summer]," he said.
by CNB