Dear Community

As you all know, this year we have instituted a new class schedule that includes time for staff development, better known as the Late Start Days. On pre-determined Wednesdays, classes begin at 9:30, after staff meets to discuss important school-wide and departmental issues related to our accreditation process and review scheduled for April 2010. I realize that many parents and students have been confused about which dates are late start and have struggled with the consequence of a shifting start time as it relates to getting to school.

I believe that with all new initiatives we need to assess how well they're running and make modifications as needed. A recommendation was made by a faculty member that I believe would help simplify the Late Start Days and when shared with staff they approved the proposed change. I would like to share that plan with you.

STARTING THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16^TH , after the second marking period, which ends on Friday, November 13th, EVERY WEDNESDAY, except for the following Student Activity Days, 12/16/09, 2/10/10 (Lovefest), 3/24/10, 4/28/10, 6/2/10 (Mayfest/Elections), WILL BECOME A LATE START DAY, WITH SCHOOL WILL STARTING AT 9:00 AM, NOT 9:30 AM. In effect this reduces the need to know dates, increases class time, and still provides staff with important meeting time to discuss our accreditation process and initiatives to improve instruction in all academic and artistic departments.

Please make note of this change and put it on your calendars. Attached is the new class bell schedule with the Wednesday start time.

Thank you for all your support, I hope this simplifies what is already a somewhat complicated bell schedule.

Carmelo Sgarlato, Principal