Back to school: Unadilla Valley

NEW BERLIN – More instructional and teacher planning time has been added to the school day at Unadilla Valley Central School, but administrators expect students will hardly notice the changes.

Middle and high schools students must report to classes, which begin Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 8:15 a.m., or to breakfast at 7:55 a.m. Both breakfast and lunch periods have been shortened and the school day will end a bit later, at 3:05 p.m.

Elementary students in 3rd-5th grades report to breakfast at 7:50 a.m. and 1st and 2nd graders report to their classroom at 7:55 a.m. Lunch for 1st and 2nd graders is from 8:10 to 8:30 a.m. Morning program for K-3 graders starts at 8:25 a.m. Pre-K breakfast period begins at 9 a.m. Elementary students are dismissed at 3 p.m.

Bus routes will follow the exact arrival time as in the past. Students and parents are reminded that front of the building parking is off limits between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m. and from 2:45 and 3:15 p.m. when buses are loading and unloading.

New contract negotiations with the teachers’ union last year resulted in a common planning time for teachers from 7:45 to 8:10 a.m. three days a week. The collaboration time, based on the research of Richard DeFour, is intended to improve student achievement on a regular basis.

“Constantly addressing curriculum and assessment is a long term goal. We created the curriculum guides to follow last year,” School Superintendent Robert Mackey said.

Mackey said the administration attempted to create more instructional time without impacting the day. “Students will hardly notice the changes,” he said.

The high school has experimented with alternative course offerings in an effort to ensure more students progress with their class and graduate on time. Two new programs, called the Portable Assisted Study Program and Castle Learning, will enable students to work at their on pace outside of the regular school day. Staff meet with students in a mentor/advisor type role to monitor progress.