Washington Township High School to Move to Re-Structure Day
Washington Township high school students will begin the 2020-21 school year with the TWP PRIDE (Preparing Responsible, Independent, Diverse, Exceptional Students) schedule, a scheduling change that aims to maximize instructional time, mitigate competing interests and more effectively engage students. Following several years of research and planning, the TWP PRIDE schedule will offer new opportunities for teaching and learning.
With this implementation, Washington Township will join a number of other area schools including the Black Horse Pike Regional School District, Cherry Hill East High School, Cherry Hill West High School, Kingsway High School, the Lenape Regional High School District and Mainland Regional High School, who have moved away from traditional class periods.
The TWP PRIDE schedule will move students from the normal eight or nine period day to six expanded periods per day on a four-day rotating schedule, helping to foster more active learning opportunities in all content areas. A daily, midday “Township Time” 56-minute common lunch period will be split into two 28-minute half periods. This will allow for intervention, enrichment and tutoring, as well as time for study, club meetings, activities and intramural programs.
Class time will increase from 45 to 57 minutes. Under the TWP PRIDE schedule, every day is different, with classes meeting three of the four days on a rotation.
“The TWP PRIDE schedule also is designed to help reduce academic stress, promote accountability and personal responsibility, as well as teach time management skills with the goal of preparing students of all abilities for success in college, careers and life,” WTHS principal Jonathan Strout said.
“TWP PRIDE scheduling is definitely a philosophical shift, but its advantages are numerous,” Superintendent of Schools Joe Bollendorf said. “Restructuring the school day helps us to give students more support during the day. It gives us more time for professional collaboration between teachers, and immediate and relevant remediation if a student is in need. It makes our students more accountable for their fundamental work habits and for ownership in their academic success. It also offers additional access to technology and library services and allows students with a lot of competing interests to free up time to become involved in clubs and organizations. We are grateful for the support and endorsement supplied by the Washington Township Education Association leadership and excited to see how TWP PRIDE scheduling changes the dynamic of school and empowers students to take advantage of new-found time.”
Under the new schedule, teachers will arrive at 7:10 a.m. and leave at 2:35 p.m. Students will arrive at 7:20 a.m. and leave at 2:19 p.m.
Students, parents, staff and community members are invited to attend one of two scheduled information sessions on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, and Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. in the school’s Investors Bank Performing Arts Center to learn more about the TWP PRIDE schedule. The sessions will include time for questions and answers. All are encouraged to attend.