Published: June 03, 2009 11:08 pm         

Alva schools consider flex schedules

Alva Public Schools may not have to face the task of abandoning a block schedule as Enid is doing, but the district is doing something similar to the Enid district.

Alva is considering a flexible Friday scheduling system for the high school and middle school. Alva currently has a seven-period scheduling system in place.

The idea was brought to Alva school board Monday, but was tabled as the board wanted to see more details worked out.

“We’ll do a revision,” said Alva Superintendent Don Rader.

He said the district is considering the flex Friday scheduling system in order to help the students who might need intervention and remediation.

Students who have failed to turn in work or received below average grades will be mandated to attend the Friday study sessions in order to receive tutoring and catch up on work not turned in.

“That would be ... a pretty small number (of students) so there would be a lot of one-on-one help,” Rader said.

He said the current idea is the middle school would have a flex Friday every other Friday, with a two-hour time period set aside for those who need remediation. Those students who do not require extra help will be able to participate in special activities during that time.

Alva High School students who do not need remediation would receive an extended lunch period.

“It’s also, obviously, a reward for attendance and behavior,” Rader said.

He said he hopes the schedule works as an incentive to increase attendance and keep grades up.

The board is expected to vote on the scheduling system either June 29 or July 6, Rader said.

Enid Public Schools will begin its first year of flexible Friday scheduling in the fall semester.