High Point introduces new system

SUSSEX BOROUGH — With the fresh transition into the 2016-17 school year, students at High Point Regional High School have a lot to look forward to.
The School Scheduling Task Force — made up of the Board of Education, school administration/faculty, and parents — has been researching for two years the best way to increase student engagement with the introduction of a rotating block schedule, a unit lunch and increased professional development time.
Lasting 54 minutes long, this specified “unit” lunch period replaces the three previously-implemented 42-minute lunch timeframes. Accordingly, unit lunch is set at a common time campus-wide for students to congregate, eat, conduct meetings and partake in enrichment club activities — side-by-side with staff.
“We are very excited about the transition to the new rotating drop block schedule,” Principal Jonathan Tallamy said. “We ran a one-day pilot as well as a four-day mock rotation in the last school year. The response has been positive. Like with anything, it will take time to adapt and grow together.”
Although students may not leave the school to have lunch, their territory has been extended beyond the lunchroom to places like the café annex, west gym, media center, main hallway and new indoor courtyard by the east gym.
Accordingly, the new schedule is being adopted in schools around the country to alleviate some of the scheduling conflicts that exist for high school students. Instructional periods at High Point are being increased in duration from 42 to 57 minutes (six classes per day).
Seamus Campbell assumed the position of director of curriculum and Instruction this past February. He is entering into his 23rd year at High Point.
“The use of block scheduling has increased in recent years as research continues to show the benefits of providing students with adequate time to create, think, collaborate, and explore subjects rather than to simply receive and retain information," he said. "When students are more engaged in their learning and when they feel a greater sense of ownership in the process, student achievement increases.”
Campbell continued that over the past few years, High Point has emphasized student-centered learning.
“This shift towards Project Based Learning (PBL) created a natural need for larger time blocks," he said. "This is a teacher-led initiative. We are excited to see how our world-class faculty uses the new schedule to increase rigor and enhance relationships with students.”