By Andonia Goergen
Executive News Editor
After years of exploring the possibility of changing the Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) daily bell schedule, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) further expanded the discussion as it approaches a resolution that could affect the 2021 fall semester.
The proposed new schedule would shift the current MBMS bell schedule from seven-period days to six-period days. This change arose from concerns about the current schedule not meeting personalized learning needs for students, according to MBMS Principal Rose Ahrens.
“We are committed to restructuring our school day to meet both the academic and social emotional needs of all of our students and teachers,” said Tanya Sanchez, MBMS science teacher and member of the MBMS Bell Schedule Committee.
Some of the proposed changes could include the addition of an intervention and enrichment period twice a week and an advisory period once a week. Teachers would also receive a collaboration period once a week, according to Ahrens.
“By providing students and teachers with increased quality time together, we create a learning environment more conducive to individualized attention and collaboration,” Sanchez said.
Although there is not a specific schedule being chosen at the moment, the district is discussing two different options for what the proposed schedule might be. One option involves students attending all of their classes every day for five days a week. The other option entails that students attend all of their classes for three days a week, while the other two days in the week they follow a block schedule.
“With a reimagined day, we ultimately achieve a more balanced school experience for both students and teachers,” Sanchez said.
Due to the fact that the new schedule might eliminate a seventh period class, many teachers from the MBMS Arts Department worry about students not being able to participate in these arts programs because there won’t be room in their schedules for an additional class.
“The Visual and Performing Arts team made comments to the public a couple of weeks ago and voiced our concerns that we do not want to see any change that would eliminate the arts in our schools or make it more difficult for students to access them,” MBMS Yearbook and Drama teacher David Levy said. “It’s our hope that the scheduling committee and district administration take note.”
The board continues to take suggestions from students, parents and staff in the district about the possible bell schedule change and will notify the community if any final decisions are made. In order for a final schedule to be approved, the Manhattan Beach Unified Teachers Association and MBUSD Board must vote on it before it is implemented.
“Regardless of any permission to move forward on this six period day, this is something that the state has mandated,” Laffoon said. “Right now in our current schedule, we don’t have an allocated time for it. We have worthwhile and appropriate school and board goals to meet, but we need to make sure they are more than words on a piece of paper.”
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