I take 8 classes a day not 7 like everyone else

Are we not sending the wrong message to these kids? We are telling them, if you don't want to work hard, that's ok...you only need to take 6 classes. What happens when these students go to college? Are they going to take the bare minimum of the number of classes in college becasue the Oswego School Board says it's ok to do it in high School? Instead of taking academics away in favor of a "guided study hall", how about the school board vote to have after school help or provide some form of tutoring. I am sure that if a student was having trouble in class and asked a teacher for after school help, they would oblige. Just another example fo the School Board destroying this school district. How many more years do we have to put up with these board members?

Seriously. Parents were complaining??? Parents still have the option for their child to take the extra class, so what's the problem? There are many more students in the school than your select "perfect" children. Many students will benefit from the study hall time which may provide extra help in Math tutoring, computer lab availability, library availability, etc...... Get over it and get a life! Your “perfect” children will be just fine.

Students will be in a random study hall. They will NOT be in study hall with the teacher they need help from. Also, they will probably NOT be in a computer lab. Students will be on their own, "working" at a table with their friends. I'm sure very little will be accomplished. We were all in high school. We know what Study Hall really is.

As a former graduate of OHS, a former special education teacher, and a student with disabilities who had to learned to cope with my learning difficulties, I see this move by the school district as a positive one. I myself struggled with school and if it were not for the study skills I learned I would not have earned my Master's Degree, but would have dropped out of school. There are mass numbers of students who would benefit from a study skills class. The "game changer" and main difference between a study hall and an Instructional Support course would need to be a curriculum that teaches multiple ways to study and how each student learns best. I personally know someone who opted to not go to college until he was in his 30's because he was never taught how to study. Now he is in school to become a medical doctor! As a district, it falls on the board, teachers and parents to help provide the exposure to knowledge to prepare the coming generations for what life really holds in store for them. This option could be the saving grace for students who's parents do not take as active a role in their children's present and future (despite their reasoning). Is it not up to the district to provide the best and to provide options for our students in the event that parents/guardians do not do the same? For those who do not like this option, there is another way, so you are not being ignored. I just feel that we owe the best to students and that is what the board is trying to do.

The teachers needed will not readily be available, as those leading the study hall will be a specialist in one area (a teacher of one subject). Additionally, the computer availability will not be possible for every child. Those computer facilities will be used by classes which are being run at that time. This decision has been made without clearly thinking through the process of providing the needed tools to make any type of study hall successful. This is not a study skills class. Instructional support is how the board has now named study hall. There is no curriculum; this is not a study skills class.

Thank you to this board. What a flexible great idea. It is obvious these people that are complaining are never happy so they should run to represent the board themselves. I would have wanted my students to participate in this creative idea. Its not just for the students that have a class that is a struggle. Students that do not struggle could possibly assist fellow classmates by volunteering also. What a great idea to also assist in test scores. This idea assists the real world. Congratulations

This is NOT a course with a curriculum. This is plain, old-fashioned, sit in your seat, STUDY HALL. This is not a specialized course teaching the kids anything!

To address additional concerns I have seen today, if a student needs support in math, English, what have you, they can be sent to their math, English, what have you teacher for that added support during their Instructional skills time. Study hall is not what it use to be, and it does not have to be the way it was. Also, it puts more accountability on the students who choose to not use this time to their advantage. If we do not provide opportunities to the children to start making good choices for themselves, when will they? Their first year of college? Their second, if they do not fail out? At some point our kids need to become responsible for their actions. Some students do this in high school, but more often they do not. Also, not all children have to ability to come before or stay after school for help, as they may have to watch younger siblings because mom and dad, or just mom, or just dad have to work. They also may not be able to get a ride home if not for the buses, so how do these students get help if not during the day when they are already at school? I am not trying ignore your feelings, but we as a community need to see the bigger picture here and look at all the students serviced in the community, and not just your own. A famous woman once said, "it takes a village to raise a child".

Please do not let the fact that the District is calling this "Instructional Support" disguise the truth. This is STUDY HALL.

This goes out to Theresa - Students will NOT be able to visit their other teachers during Study Hall. Their other teachers will be TEACHING!!!!!

It would seem that flipping the waiver would make more sense -- students who, for whatever reason, need to opt out of 7 could do so. It's not about "perfect" students as the rant above would lead one to believe. My guess is that most students manage 7 classes just fine, so why develop a procedure that leans toward the minority. My guess is you are not going to see that "guided study hall" filled with students who are "looking for AP guidance". Let's just be upfront about what it is, shall we?

There's no shame in getting extra help and if it is determined that a 6 class load with this option is best for a student - bravo! But let's not couch the change in fluff about AP students. That's just nonsense.

Give the board credit for creating new ways and ideas to better our children. Some people on this patch complain no matter what this board does.

This is nothing more than an attempt to placate the HS teachers. When they went away from block schedules they have more students a day and think they should be compensated for it (mind you they didn't take a cut when they went to block schedules). By forcing study hall on students teachers have a non instructional period.

????? Oswego school dist is going down the drain fast!!!

So I see what's going on here. They don't want to embarrass the students who might need the study period. They don't want those students to have to admit to their parents or someone else that they can't handle the seventh period. While flipping the waiver may make more sense, what they may be doing here is trying to protect the fragile emotions of teenagers. Save them the embarrassment. They are still kids, after all. They aren't taking the seventh class away. Your kid just has to fill out a form and have it signed. I don't understand what the big deal is, other than them being very loose with the the phrase "Instructional Study Hall." How they're going to approach the study hall and get those students the extra support they need seems like the bigger issue here.

I guess I am confused. The article states that students have 8 class periods and one of them is a lunch/study hall. So now the students with only 6 classes will have two study halls? One at lunch and another in place of a class option. I don't have a student in HS (yet) but I would think that the kids would be able to choose whether they take 6 or 7 without parental consent. Why the consent for the student who wants to do more? The comment by Allison Swanson irritates me because she is comparing our schools to a lower performing school district (West Aurora) instead of a better performing (Indian Prairie or Naperville). We should strive to be better now lower our standards.

Oswego School Board gives all children $10,000 dollars to take home...a large number of parents callin and yip on Patch with complaints about the excess weight in their child's backpack.

Trust me - teachers don't want this! It is taking away opportunities for them to take other electives, thereby reducing REAL classes they could be taking. This also has nothing to do with the emotional lives of teenagers.

I really believe this is a cost-cutting measure. They can reduce more expensive teachers and then hire teacher's aides or first-year teachers (who are inherently cheaper) to run lots and lots of study halls. If there are over 1000 kids in each high school, just think of how many Study Halls that is!

Instead of complaining about a study hall, ask the district to make it instructional. If your hear to complain with out contributing to making change your not helping anyone, including the kids. As a former teacher in OHS I can tell you that students go and see their content teachers even if other course are running, its a timing thing, at the beginning or end of a class, their teachers help. This is not about teachers needing time off from instruction, if you had even been a teacher you would know this is never the case. I have worked with many outstanding teachers in OHS and OEHS and they all do what they can to assist students who seek them out for help.

Mixed emotions on this one. I might agree that you should have to sign a waiver that you WANT a study hall, not have to sign a waiver that you don't.
It feels as though the kids are being urged to take this opportunity rather than to challenge themselves to take a more rigorous path of study.
I am going through this currently, and that is the impression my son is getting, that study hall is being encouraged. This should NOT be the case. How are we going to be competitive as a school district if we don't push for the highest level of academic opportunity..and that comes from a well rounded core of electives.
Study halls have always been available. I never had one, my son doesn't want one; He'd rather spend his time taking classes he is interested in and getting credit rather than having a study hall.
For some, this might be a good option and it's good that it's available to them.
I wish we put more emphasis on a challenging curriculum, to give our kids a more competitive advantage, but this is really a personal choice.
But, also the parents should be encouraging the extra class unless there is a circumstance such as some of the above posts where someone could use the extra time to study or get help.
I want my son to be prepared for what he plans to do in 4 years, and that includes as many academic options as possible.

guest, honestly a low blow, commenting about my grammar, as you do not know my personal history as a student.
That aside, congrats on being a teacher. As a community member it concerns me that you spend your energy attacking me and not on what can make this situation best for the students. I truly wish you the best, and hope for a peaceful resolution because this is meant to be about what is best for the students.

The challenging curriculum will come, thanks to the new Common Core Standards (not sure if we are prepared in Oswego). Children who need extra time and support will and should get it. Most all of the parents at this meeting were of AT (Accademically Talented) students. This district is for ALL students. As a parent of an AT (Average Talented) student I am greatful to have my child given extra time. I will work with my child to encourage them to have extra time with the teacher. In Junior High, we had a study hall and the teacher was able to assit with different subjects or my child was given time with their subjects teacher. It helped start the homework, and for a hard working parent, we needed that so that our time at home was spent helping correct homework and reinforcing homework. I do not normally agree with the school board and am NOT a fan of the new Sup.(BTW Des Mois, IA is looking for a new sup, hint hint), but I thank them for giving ALL students the support they need. Let's not just look out for the academically talented just becuase their parents are more vocal at meetings.

I can't believe that parents are complaining about having options for their children's education. If you don't lke the study hall option then have your kid opt for taking the additional class.

Insofar as some students choosing the study hall option in order to make their day easier- so be it. The teachers can't be expected to be 100% responsible for their students achievement. If parents would rather have their kid in a study hall then they'll have to deal with the implications of that.

Parents received an email from OEHS last week stating all students will be "encouraged to Pick6, meaning 6 credits, plus a study hall." Additionally, it was either announced to, or rumored by, the students that if they had already picked 7 they were going to be called back & asked to change their schedule to 6 classes plus a mandatory study hall. The school calls it study hall so I can only assume it's more of the nonsense that currently happens in the 1/2 period study hall students have now.

Dr. Wendt stated last night that unfortunately there were 955 F grades by H.S. students this past semester. We have over 2000 students at each H.S. & each is currently taking 7 classes. If we take those F grades (955) & divided it by # of total classes taught (4,000 students * 7 classes each = 28,000), that is only a 3% failure rate. I believe all children at all learning levels deserve a proper education. But I do not understand changing the entire registration system based on 3% of the population. Do we need to address that problem? Of course. But shall we drown our counselors in waiver paperwork instead of assessing whether students will now have the proper classes and enough credits for college? What if the waivers are rejected & not everyone will be allowed to take that 7th class?

Better communication of Pick6 needs to be rolled. There's a meeting with counselors from both H.S. slated for tomorrow night at OEHS. Hope they further explain Pick6 & clear confusion.

I applaud the district for branching out and trying new approaches to instruction. I'm sure the board has considered what will be required of their teachers and support staff during these study hall periods. Those parents who are concerned about this turning into a goof-off period, you know your child. Get involved. Speak with administrators and staff. Talk to your child. If you feel your child could use the extra time, ALLOW them to fit this into their schedule. I spoke with my son and he didn't feel he needed it so I ALLOWED him to choose extra enriching classes. Bravo, 308.

After reading many of the comments you would think that the students were being required to drop classes and sit in a room staring at a wall and doing nothing. If your child wants to continue taking 7 classes they can, no one is taking that option away from them. If your child wants to start their Freshman year by taking 6 classes and a study hall to ease their transition from Junior HIgh to High School they now have that option. I think this will prove to be a beneficial option for many of the students. If you have a high achieving student who wants to take 7 classes and work towards taking AP Classes then go ahead and sign them up for the 7 classes. When you go off to college most students do not start off with a credit load of 18 hours. You take a lower course load to help ensure your success. I had a study hall in high school and it did not hold me back from success in college. I graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with both a Bachelors and a Masters Degree. I did very well in school (HS & College), had high grades, and now have a successful career.

I do not see a problem with providing students with the option of having time to complete their school work, and an opportunity for assistance from a teacher, during the regular school hours. If you do not want your child in a study hall then sign them up for a 7th class. I do not think it is too difficult to fill out a form and turn it in, that should only take a couple minutes of your time. Less time than it took you to go online and post your negative comments. This change is really only a change for those students who want to take 6 classes and have the chance to complete home work during a study hall. If your child wants to take 7 classes then this change does not have any impact on you at all.

This board is so busy re-shuffling deck chairs they don't notice the growth iceberg coming. They killed the third high school and felt it was a great idea to turn already crowded schools into bigger more crowded buildings. The cold hard fact is who cares about the fluff why not focus on the substantial issues of over-crowding and all the inherent problems that it causes. Keep fiddling Nero, did someone smell smoke?

"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
Every student, as an individual, will be able to choose the schedule of classes that is best for them with input from their parents. Having a small amount of control over their lives as they choose their day to day academic schedules plus think about future career paths may make the difference between success and failure.

So yet again we talk about test taking. What about teaching these kids how to THINK ? oh yeah, more tests. These kids will get out into the real world and look for the multiple choice jobs. Sad. Don't put too much faith into common core since it still involves full inclusion. Oh, and Katt - here's a couple more:
"An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don't." -- Anatole France

"I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think."
-- Socrates

You need to realize, as the board has, that not every student at OHS and OEHS is going to college right out of HS. You also need to realize that many students are not cutting it academically. I know the AP parents would prefer not acknowledge that, they tend to speak only for what they want forgetting the rest of the "average" students. High School is not all about electives. It's about finishing the strong foundation needed for college and life. By doing this the board is finally without coming out and directly saying so, that the schools are not meeting the standards they would like and this directed study hall is an attempt to help change that direction. Will it work? Maybe, maybe not. But if nothing it tried we will continue to graduate a handful of outstanding students and a truckload of not so outstanding students. Public school is to benefit all as best it can, if you are a super genius AP student taking multiple AP classes I submit to you that the curriculum has not challenged you and you would have been better served by a private school with a more rigorous course of study.

I am surprised at how many are viewing this from a different direction than I. The BOE has proposed an optional study hall for the seventh period yet this is what 100% of the student population will be assigned. To take a 7th class one must optain a waiver and have the waiver approved. The option is not study hall, the option is the 7th class. With the recent signing of the teacher contract one finds the teachers will have 6 teacher/student contact sessions consisting of 5 instructional sessions and 1 assistive session. Currently there are 8 instructional sessions in a school day. Once those 5 instructional sessions are filled with teaching staff and our district meets the teachers salary line item budget, all waivers will be denied. There will be no staff available to teach those 7th hour optional classes. This is a cost saving measure, bottom line. This is contrary to what was stated by our BOE members at the Jan 14 meeting that our budget must not become so lean to be a detriment to our students. The budget is now that lean. Our district is moving toward meeting bare minimum graduation requirements to meet state requirements and graduation. This is larger than whether one can take a class or not. Study hall has always been an option to a students schedule prior to this year. The difference is now it is being mandated while a 7th class is the option.

Direct quote from the announcements that have been airing at OEHS for the students to hear daily "Here is a memo from Student Services: All students are encouraged to take a Study Hall next year." So perhaps this waiver will not be such an easy thing to sign off on.

One of the parents that spoke last night raised a good point about this new PickSix and the new teacher contract. A quote from yesterday's Patch says "Teachers will now have student contact for six classes a day, with five graded periods and one non-graded period". Perhaps this is why students are being encouraged to take less classes. What if there are not enough teachers able to offer an adequare number of classes for students to be able to take 7 classes? Will the waivers become useless pieces of papers if students can be denied all the classes they hope to take? I hope that's not how this turns out.

Again, my fear is that all waivers may not be accepted and students may be forced into another study hall. Since the

Why not have all students be required to have their course selections signed by a parent/guardian whether it be 6 classes with a study period or 7 classes?

There is another factor to consider in the decision making process of the BOE and administration. A blanket change to 100% of the student population to assist 3% of the grades given was discussed, approved, and implemented without taxpayer knowledge or input. As I understand,there was no public discussion or dissemination of information of "pick six" to the families. With this policy change, the district and administration are absolved morally, ethically, and legally to providing a 7th or 8th hour class if funds do not allow.Therefore, because it is not district policy and funds are not available, a 7th or 8th hour class will be the first to be cut. Only 24 possible hours of instruction to meet the 22 hours needed for graduation will be provided. College admissions have a minimum requirement, this will be met with 22 hours, but one notices a qualifying statement on applying "these are the minimum hours required,we expect freshman applicants to exceed and excel beyond minimum requirements stated". With this change in policy, the district and administration are offering only 2 additional hours of instruction to demonstrate excellence and placing our student's college applications under deeper scrutiny. The policy of waivers has not been finalized. The waiver is not available. The legistics of the academic support session and how to provide that support are not available. The policy is in place with no procedures available to follow. Is that how this district works?

I don't get why this is even an issue for anyone to debate about. No one is being forced to do anything. We are being told our students have the option to do what is best for them. I do not care what your child chooses as you should not care what my mine chooses. It shouldn't effect anyone on a personal level if my child chooses a study hall or a class. What I don't get is those against a study hall, if my child chooses to do so, how does that effect you or your child in a negative way, and vice versa?! It doesnt! Maybe you people are just upset the way it was presented to us. Would you still be upset had they said 7 are required but needed permission to take a study hall? Who really cares, the outcome is the same, right?

I attended and graduated from Lane Tech in Chicago back in the 80's and I had 10 periods. Because I was in band which was period 9 & 10 it meant I had a double period study hall my freshman year in period 7 and 8 and for the second half I was the only one I it because if you had no class after you could go home. I seem to have survived, I never had homework except for a report or two because I had time. I would sign out from time to time and go to the band room and use the extra time as practice. There are many ways a study hall can be beneficial. If your student chooses to make paper airplanes perhaps you can teach him how to better use his time, it seems most of you are afraid that any time not spent directly under a certified teachers eye is a waste or cheating your kid. I think you all need to grow up.

Less rigor, less homework, less accountability....screams ENABLING to me. Not so World Class Dr. Wendt.

Wow, all this over an OPTIONAL study hall?? You CAN take seven classes - so what's the big deal?? Study hall is a great option - especially for freshman adjusting to high school and for any students with extra curricular activities or jobs after school. Those that need that time can use it to get a jump start on homework or do some studying for a upcoming test...or, dare I say, read a book! We are not setting kids up to fail in college - as most college students take 4-5 classes (and not all in the same day!) rather than 7 in high school.
Kids are NOT all the same & many will benefit from this. If you're afraid that your child will be wasting their time in a study hall, then SIGN the WAIVER.

Though this is a little off topic, I do have a couple of other observations that I worry are putting our kids at a disadvantage (more so than an optional study hall). These are both questions around Murphy and am wondering if they are happening throughout the District or in the other Junior Highs as well? 1. First issue is MAP scores. It has been communicated through Murphy’s newsletter, and confirmed by our students, that students with a 5 point or greater drop in their RIT score from fall to winter will retake the MAP tests. Isn’t it supposed to be a point in time assessment? How can we accurately assume that only those with low scores preformed as an anomaly? Wouldn’t it have to go the same way for those with high scores? My student shared some of the items that he had guessed on – on the Math test. If given an opportunity to retake, he would most likely look up these functions and then perform differently on the test. I think this then becomes flawed data. Not to mention, quite a bit of emphasis on one test.

Continued - 2. Second issue is 8th grade science fair. My only prior experience was at Bednarcik and there all 8th graders participated in a science fair, it involved a formal presentation as well as in depth analysis. We have just been notified that at Murphy only 8th grade honors students will be doing it this year – and have only just been assigned it. From my understanding, this is a typical 8th grade experience, both in and out of our district. Aren’t we putting the rest of the kids at a disadvantage? I am hoping I am missing something here but really interested in feedback and other observations.

Has anyone ever thought about homeschooling?
"Home-schooling in Illinois is considered to be a form of private education. Parents who choose to educate their children at home are under a legal obligation to meet the minimum requirements stated in Illinois’ Compulsory Attendance Law...Parents who choose to educate their children at home are obligated to teach their children “…the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools”...offer instruction in core courses in English...language arts; mathematics; biological and physical sciences; social sciences; fine arts; and physical development and health..."
"Parents who home school...are free to decide the manner, time and materials which best suit the learning needs of their children... determine what type of home-schooling curriculum is best...what materials to use, how much homework to assign, how homework is to be assessed, and what records of the student’s accomplishments should be kept. Testing is not required..."
"Parents who choose to educate their students in the home through high school may determine when their student has met the graduation requirements of their private home school and is therefore entitled to receive a high school diploma."
Resources are endless. Many excellent colleges offer great scholarships to home school students.
Links:
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/homeschool/default.htm
http://learninfreedom.org/colleges_4_hmsc.html

Announcement - I would like to encourage everyone to attend tonight's district meeting with OHS and OEHS Student Services Directors sponsored by several parent organizations. It will be held at OEHS Community Room from 7pm-9pm. For list of questions submitted to Student Services prior to the event, agenda for the evening, more information, and to register, go to http://studentservices.eventbrite.com/. Students and walk-ins are welcome. Please share this with other families. This will be a great opportunity to find out important information for your student. Jill Ko

Why didnt any of you that are complaining run for school board or try to get appointed? You had your shot to fix what you thought was broken

There's a problem that affects me and many, many others that has not been mentioned here. My son is a Freshman and plays football and baseball. He is excited to take the OHS weight lifting class next year as a sophomore. His older brother who graduated in 2007 actually took the class as a freshman and he's been super excited ever since. (he is even planning on wearing his older brother's old Excel T-Shirt)
His hopes were dashed recently when we found out that the new course catalog says that only juniors and seniors can take this class! My son was told he HAS to take a 10th grade Gym class that plays badminton and does dancing instead of being able to take the weight lifting class. Our family just doesn't understand why a student athlete who dedicates so much time to his sport cannot take the weightlifing class that has been offered to other 10th graders for many, many years. We feel he is wasting his time dancing and playing badminton when he could be lifting. Why do Parents NOT have the ability bypass this silly curriculum choice? I know this doesn't effect EVERYONE, but please if your 10th grader is going to be negatively impacted like mine will, call/email the school board and/or Dr. Wendt!

Sorry jack- Your athlete will bennifit from all forms of exercise. Dance can be a wonderful training tool for athletes of all sports to increase balance. I doubt you get much support from anyone advocating educational progamming to include weight lifting as a fundamental right. Please dont waste the schools time with that kind of silly request / demand. I would have loved to have a class called weight lifting when i was a kid too...however, not much educational value there.

@ayar, my son is average. He left thompson at the end.of 6th grade in special ed with a 0.75 gpa. Three months later started at OLGC with no special ed and at the end of the first quarter had a 2.73gpa. Quite a change. How do you fail a course all year. Get F's then suddenly pass it in summer school? D308 is good. Good at pushing you through the system until you either drop out or get the minimum credits to graduate. Why have they lowered the minimum number of credits at HS to 22. Its not 22 this year and it wasn't 6 yrs ago when my older ones went there. Check page 11 of the student course guide its on line. The more they dumb it downhe better things look...on paper.