Dear CSG Families,
I write to share information with you regarding important changes to Form schedules for all students to take effect at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. Periodic schedule reviews are typical and help us ensure that we are accommodating our students in the best ways possible. Our schedule was last updated in the 2010-2011 school year, and while the current format has worked well for students and faculty, several areas have been identified as opportunities for improvement. During our re-accreditation process with the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) in the fall of 2019, our schedule was highlighted as an area of opportunity.
In the spring of 2021 we began working with consultants from Independent School Management (ISM) to conduct an audit of our schedule. The process was thorough and included interviews with faculty groups, focus groups with parents and Middle- and Upper-School students, and a survey of students in grades 5-12. Faculty members also reviewed best practices in, and current research of, schedule development. ISM staff met with faculty to share survey results, recommendations, and several options for updated schedules.
Following the consultation with ISM, CSG assembled a Schedule Working Group composed of faculty and staff from all areas of the school. The group reviewed the options ISM shared and made recommendations to update schedules by division.
Recommendations for consideration based on the audit:
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For Middle- and Upper School
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Community time for Upper School students (for extracurriculars such as clubs, advisory program, and affinity groups)
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A daily homework block for Middle School students and increased time in Flex
What will remain the same as our previous schedule:
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Block periods for Middle- and Upper School
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A rotation calendar for Lower- Middle- and Upper School
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75-minutes classes in Upper School
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The ability to hold large-group music ensembles during the day for Middle- and Upper-School students
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Assembly program for Lower School community once every rotation
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Robust special area class rotation with content specialists in Lower School
What is changing:
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The Middle- and Upper School start time will be 8:30am (in keeping with what research supports: The American Academy of Pediatrics, for instance, recommends that middle and high schools start at 8:30am or later to allow students to get needed sleep.)
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A cascading schedule will be implemented for Middle- and Upper School students (in which classes will rotate their start times over an 8-day schedule. To accommodate the classes rotating through the daily blocks, we shifted to an 8-day cycle instead of a 6-day cycle.)
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Middle School classes will be five minutes shorter (from 75 to 70 minutes) to allow for a daily 30-minute homework block
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The addition of a daily 30-minute homework block at the end of the day for Middle School students (giving them the opportunity to exercise vital executive functioning skills such as completing their planners, gathering school materials, and organizing their work. The time also allows students to complete some of their after-school work prior to extracurricular activities.
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Lower School will return to two 15-minute recess times.
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PYC forms will move from a 6-day rotation to a M-F schedule. There will be no letter days.
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Slightly staggered start and dismissal times
Our revised schedule is the end result of countless hours of collaboration and discussion, and I would like to thank our Schedule Working Group for all their hard work. To learn more about specific changes for Upper- and Middle Schools not outlined in this email, you can visit the links below. If you have any questions about our new schedule, please reach out to your daughter’s Division Director.
In strength and grace,
Jennifer
