RMS Explores ‘Flextime’ Option

Rochester Memorial School Principal Derek Medeiros knows what direction he wants to take in order to lead his school toward the same success other elementary schools in Tri-Town achieved, with the first step being the establishment of “flextime” into the daily routine.

School administrators are crediting flextime within Center School, Old Hammondtown, and Sippican School for the success in high MCAS scores and the schools’ designations as commendation schools.

Flextime entails breaking classes into smaller groups according to student learning levels, to work with different teachers within their grade on different subjects during the day. The only challenge to getting this off the ground, says Medeiros, will be how to fit it into the schedule.

“Because any struggle in every school is time,” Medeiros said during the December 4 Rochester School Committee meeting.

Medeiros said another approach to raising standardized test scores would be a consistent curriculum throughout the school for cohesion as students transition to each grade level.

“We do not have a consistently aligned rigorous … curriculum in line,” said Medeiros. Teachers of grades K through 2 have been “pulling from different areas,” while grades 3 and up have been following one curriculum. Medeiros said one consistent curriculum throughout every grade level would assist along with flextime.

“[Flextime] is an explanation of the pronounced skill (in other schools),” stated Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos.

Medeiros said RMS had flextime as part of the school day back in 2007 to 2009 before the new school building was built, and added that the effect of the absence of flextime is reflected in the school’s lower MCAS scores.

“Collaborative intervention is important,” said School Committee Chairman Sharon Hartley.

Medeiros did state that they should expect another possible dip in scores with the new PARCC exam this year, but any decrease in test scores will not count against the school during the pilot run of the assessment.

In other matters, the committee voted to approve the renegotiation of the lease for the private preschool now renting space at RMS.

Program Director Janet Gauvin asked the committee if she could change the terms of her lease and return to the initial rate of $1,000 per month for the next six months of the lease, which increased to $1,500 in November as per the lease and is set to increase again to $2,000 monthly in February.

Medeiros said the new program has taken longer than expected to procure a significant number of students. The goal is to register 25 students, and the program currently has 15.

“It’s hard to predict the enrollment data when you’re trying to start a program like this,” said Medeiros.

“It’s a good use of space,” said School Committee member Jennifer Kulak. “It’s early on in the business. We should extend it out there.”

Also during the meeting, Rochester School Committee members had their chance to try a little coding on code.org with the new Chromebooks the Old Rochester Regional School District purchased (three-year lease to own) this year. Some committee members doubted their own abilities to effectively complete the basic coding activities, but soon surprised themselves and lost themselves in the fun.

“Can’t get ‘em back,” said Superintendent White, unable to regain the attention of the committee members who were laughing and enjoying the Chromebooks. “And this is exactly what your kids will do.” White said he had his grandchildren experiment with the website and they also enjoyed it. “It’s better than babysitting,” joked White.

The committee is also excited about the recent improvements to the ORR School District and RMS websites with new Web Coordinator Erin Ptaszenski’s assistance over the past month.

The next meeting of the Rochester School Committee is scheduled for January 8 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

 

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