First office hours schedule is held

By Kathryn Cross

News Editor

Jaclyn Kingsley

Staff Writer

Mira Costa implemented the first office hours schedule this Wednesday, adding two hours into the regular school schedule for departmental meetings, teachers’ office hours and student collaboration.

The new schedule will take place every Wednesday of a full school week, with the first office hour from 9:27 a.m. to 10:24 a.m. and the second office hour from 12:26 p.m. to 1:13 p.m.  According to Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale, a majority of students spent the office hours in classrooms, the auditorium, the library or the cafeteria. These designated workspaces were available for collaborating and doing homework or group work.

“I hoped that I would see a lot of students working and making good use of their time and that’s what I saw,” Dale said.  “I heard from many teachers that their rooms were packed with kids working together. I’m encouraged by everything that I’ve seen and heard.”  

To record students’ attendance during the first office hours schedule this past Wednesday, Costa teachers and administrators had sign in sheets at each classroom and designated work space. However, in the future, Dale said that there will be quick-response codes at each work space so that students can electronically check in. Dale stated that he also will work with teachers to plan meaningful activities, such as team teaching.
“We want to plan more activities to incentivize students to go to classrooms and take advantage of this time,” Dale said.  “Nonetheless, the first day of the office hours schedule exceeded my expectations. Students managed their time and some even bought themselves extra sleep by doing homework during office hours.”