This Friday is the first in a series of late starts. This is a new initiative to provide more quality time for our teachers to collaborate on professional development. There are a total of twelve Fridays, three per quarter, during which teachers arrive early and classes start 45 minutes late, allowing our Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) an hour and a quarter each time to accomplish their objectives.
The PLCs this year will focus on several in-depth studies to improve the instruction at Westlake. Elementary teachers have been working on analysis and use of data to drive curriculum improvement, and later in the year their agenda calls for a look at project-based learning. The secondary teachers are slated to spend most of their PLCs exploring the best practices in using technology in the classroom.
This Friday, August 26, is the first of the twelve late-start Fridays. Classes begin for everyone that day at 9:00 a.m. Here are some provisions we are making:
- Those parents who pay for before-school care may drop their children off at the normal time of 7:00 - 7:50 a.m. Mrs. Schlaman will provide her regular level of supervision for them.
- Those parents who cannot postpone drop off until the late-start time (due to work schedules) may drop off their children any time after 7:50 a.m. Elementary and secondary students will be supervised in two different areas for the next 55 minutes.
- Those parents who are able to wait should drop off their children around 8:45. Secondary students who drive should likewise plan to arrive at that time.
We have assigned some of our non-teaching staff to help with supervision. However, it would be a BIG help to us to have one or two parents volunteer to keep an eye on elementary students between 8:00 and 8:45. If you are willing to help, please contact our office by phone (847-548-6209) or email.
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