Same mostly positive after initial trial run of "flex" schedule

From Nov. 19 to Nov. 30, Samo students and administration got their first taste of how a flex schedule would work at Samo. The trial run lasted two weeks, after which students and faculty alike were given the opportunity to voice their opinions. This was done in the hopes of conducting another improved trial run in the spring of 2019, and ultimately implementing the schedule for the upcoming school year. Overall, the run received a generally positive response from both students and staff. The new schedule featured a flex period: a one hour period during the day that was designed to be a time where students could get work done and confer with their teachers. All students were required to sign up for a classroom, and students that were unable to sign up were placed into a classroom with availability. The flex period was entirely meant for the benefit of the students, so they were highly encouraged to use the time wisely. The schedule was implemented partly due to a recent Western Association of School and Colleges (WASC) accreditation that suggested the school schedule be adjusted to provide support for struggling students during the school day and not at lunch or after school. With so many students participating in clubs during lunch and after-school extracurriculars, many are completely unable to take advantage of teachers’ office hours.“We have to do something because WASC has said to us, ‘You need to make sure you're providing an equitable education for all students, because not every student can afford tutoring,’” Samo Principal Dr. Shelton said. Sarah Lipetz, Science Department Chair, played a crucial role in formating the schedule to make it work for the Samo community and meet California’s instructional minutes requirement. In her opinion, the flex time period, which was the main feature of the block schedule, served its purpose. “My students used their flex time really well. Even students that were invited into my room that weren’t originally on my roster were productive, academic and quiet,” Lipetz said.  Many students felt the same way themselves. Micah Payton (’20)  reflected on the flex time as a helpful addition to the school day.“The big benefit to flex time is it allows you to study. It’s beneficial for everyone, not just those who really need it.” Micah Payton After the trial run, Samo site leadership  encouraged faculty, students and parents to participate in a survey.  Of the Twelve-hundred forty-four students who replied to the survey, 87.5% reported finding the time useful and  85% reported that they would be productive during Flex-time.  In a poll conducted Wednesday, Dec.12, 80% of 128 teachers indicated they supported the schedule change. A second pilot is currently planned for February and will reflect the feedback from students and teachers:  the flex-time days will occur on Tuesday and Wednesday and the flex-time period will occur right before lunch.  And though many students reported having difficulty signing up for the flex-time class they wanted, Samo site leadership concedes that will not change in the second pilot because the school will invest in software for facilitating sign-ups if teachers officially vote to change the schedule.   Sometime after the second pilot, Samo faculty will officially vote on the flex-time schedule.  According to the Santa Monica-Malibu/California Teachers’ Association contract with the district, two-thirds of teachers must vote for any change to the schedule.“I hope people appreciate that there’s a lot of factors that go into making this schedule . . . we’re trying to do as much as we can to make everyone happy,” Lipetz said.