During the 2008-2009 school year, the 12 MNPS high schools implementing Smaller Learning Communities will have SLC late arrival days. The 12 high schools affected are: Antioch, Cane Ridge, Glencliff, Hillsboro, Hillwood, Hunters Lane, Maplewood, McGavock, Overton, Pearl-Cohn, Stratford and Whites Creek. Students enrolled in these 12 high schools will report to school 2 ½ hours late, with the school day beginning at 9:40 a.m. Buses will still run for all students; they will simply run the routes 2 ½ hours later than normal school days. Therefore, if a student normally catches the bus at 6:30 a.m., he or she should expect to catch it on an SLC late arrival day at 9 a.m.

The district has built in eight SLC late arrival days for the 2008-2009 school year. They are Sept. 15, Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Nov. 10, Dec. 1, Feb. 2, Feb. 23, and April 13. On these late arrival days, faculty and staff will report to school at regular time and use the 2 ½ hours prior to students’ arrival for professional development and in-depth team meetings. These extra hours are crucial to the success of Smaller Learning Communities as they will allow all school staffs time to plan, prepare, and coordinate lessons as well as develop the most effective instructional skills. 

New Choice Plan Presented to Board
More than a year ago, MNPS administrators met with parents and reviewed existing magnet school application and school transfer policies. The district received a great deal of constructive feedback from parents about the clarity and fairness of our current policies. In the fall of 2007, a committee was formed to begin searching for ways to improve all aspects of student assignment. The main purpose of the project was to create more choices for parents regarding which school their child(ren) attends, an easier process for parents to make the desired transfers, and a stricter school calendar for better enrollment projections and better preparation for the next school year.
 
The committee presented their final proposal to the Metro School Board Tuesday, Sept. 9. This proposal calls for leaving the current magnet lottery process intact and expanding the open enrollment process to allow families to request placement in any school with available seats. This will also dramatically increase the number of schools families may select for their child. In addition, the enhanced open enrollment process will result in the elimination of the current special transfer process, except for hardship applications. To review the presentation made at the Sept. 9 school board meeting, click here. To view the entire proposal drafted by the Choice Committee, click here.

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