Canyon Meadows 2007-2008

1. Canyon Meadows 2007-2008 …responding to the needs of students, parents, and teachers

2. Our Crunch Year for Space • For three years, we have know that this would be the year requiring innovative and creative solutions to school organization • Our school priority has not changed… optimal learning in a safe environment

3. The Facts • 481 students • 241 grades 1-3 and 155 grades 4-6 • 2 student entry and exit doors • One playground • One gymnasium • One music room • An enhanced curriculum

4. Student feedback • Its too crowded at the doors • I don’t get a turn on the play park • I don’t want my snack now, I want it later! • I’m painting a picture, why do I have to go outside now? • I want to play with my friends at recess

5. Teacher Feedback • We need an uninterrupted literacy block (2 hours) • My students have PE and recess in the morning and nothing in the afternoon • Its too crowded at the doors, by the time my students get out, recess is over • It takes too long to bring students back in to learning

6. Parent Feedback • It is unsafe and crowded at the doors • Why do 200 kids play on the play park at once and then no one is on it the rest of the day? • My child wants to play with their friends • My child needs his snack at 9:30, not 10:30

7. We hear you! What can we do? • Crowded doors: • Kinder students are dismissed at staggered times reducing congestion by 50 students • Room 5 and 11 exterior doors are used by 75 students, reducing congestion • Recesses are staggered and varied – everyone is not at the door at the same time

8. Total Utilization of School Spaces • We are able to schedule our school learning spaces over the whole school day • Gymnasium • Music Room

9. The play park, too crowded, too empty • Staggered and varied recess – utilization of the play park all day • Play park is not trying to accommodate too many children • Recess is not used up waiting for “turns”

10. Playing with our friends • Teacher’s schedule recess times with other classes so students can play together • Students have a common 25 minute lunch recess to play together • PE classes are combined, students play together in the gym • Recess is never “missed” because of assemblies, fire drills, schedule changes etc

11. Uninterrupted Literacy Block • Teachers monitor and decide on the needs of their students • Learning time remains the priority • Balance of work and play for all ages and grades

12. The Results • Last year, every Friday, teachers utilized a flexible schedule – favorable feedback from all groups • After 5 days of school, working out the kinks • Learning is maximized, not interrupted • No bells interrupting instructional hours