Superintendent David Larson, Ed.D.

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On Jan. 23, 2023, the Board of Education approved a memorandum of agreement with the Glenbard Education Association (GEA) that includes our new school day model. I appreciate the collaborative, thoughtful work of our School Day Study Committee to develop a model that will meet students’ needs.

I appreciate the feedback about the school day schedule that we received from families and staff. A common theme was to slow down the process of implementing a new school day schedule. In response, we will phase in implementation of the new model over the next two school years.

Implementation Phases

The schedule for the 2023-24 school year includes:

• An eight-period day every day
• Glenbard Hour on Mondays and Fridays and
• Shifting early dismissal for Professional Learning Community teacher collaboration time to Tuesday afternoons.

The schedule for the 2024-25 school year includes:

• Eight periods per day on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays with Glenbard Hour on Mondays and Fridays; and a block schedule with 90-minute periods on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• A potential later start time and dismissal time, anticipated to be no more than 30 minutes later. Changes to the school day start time and dismissal time are dependent upon busing logistics.

Glenbard Hour
The number one need identified by students, parents/guardians and staff in the November 2021 survey about the school day was building time in the schedule for student supports and learning extensions throughout the school day. The Glenbard Hour addresses those needs.

During Glenbard Hour on Mondays and Fridays, every teacher and every student will be available. Students can go to their teacher for the support they need during the school day but outside of regular class time. Students can plan on gaining support during the school day – they wouldn’t have to come in early, stay late or give up their lunch period.

All students will have access to support and enrichment. Most Glenbard Hour sessions will be devoted to student agency:  students getting help from their teachers; extending students’ learning; students collaborating with peers; making up tests and labs; receiving extra support and learning from college/postsecondary presentations.

The Glenbard Hour also will feature advisory sessions on topics such as course selection, safety drills, surveys, standardized testing, assemblies, award ceremonies, postsecondary planning and more. All of these topics currently impinge on academic classes.

The Glenbard Hour will benefit all students, whether they need help with classwork or are doing well and want to tap into extended learning opportunities. This time is part of the school day, so students don’t need to come in early, stay after school or give up time during lunch to connect with teachers, school counselors, student services staff and others at school.

Professional Development
Before we implement the new school day model, we will provide our knowledgeable, talented teachers with professional development to prepare for the transition to the new schedule.

Cost Savings
The memorandum of agreement also includes financial elements, which will result in a savings for the length of the GEA contract, which now expires June 30, 2026. A one-time stipend provides compensation for additional work necessary for teachers to prepare for the school day change. Recurring contractual adjustments were made to hourly rates for work done outside the school day and changes to the health care plan design and premiums will help both the district and employees save money over the life of the contract. Overall, an estimated annual (recurring) savings to the district of more than $100,000 will be achieved.

We developed the new schedule through a methodical process. The schedule meets students’ academic and physiological needs, and I am confident it will lead to positive outcomes for students.