On May 19, 2014, the Piedmont Unified School District sent out an email to High School families confirming the new five-day bell schedule for next year:
Both the PHS School Site Council and the PHS/MHS Bell Schedule Committee worked on gathering information, planning, and implementing the five-day bell schedule for next year, according to the email. A PHS/MHS staff vote between a modified seven-day bell schedule and the five-day bell schedule also took place, where 93% approved of the five-day bell schedule.
According to the committee, studies have shown that students are more likely to be tired later during the week, so putting staff development periods on Fridays gives students the opportunity to sleep in when they need it.
Because approximately 75% of students play sports, the council placed an earlier 2:50 release time on Tuesdays and Fridays, the school days when most sporting events occur, minimizing lost class time due to leaving early. The later 3:30 release time on Mondays was placed because sporting events were least likely to be scheduled during Mondays.
A further argument included that some PHS/MHS students struggle with organizational and executive functioning skills, and that a five-day bell schedule mirroring a Monday-Friday calendar week would better suit students.
According to the committee, under the five-day bell schedule, the number of tutorial periods would increase from 18 to 35, letting teachers be more accessible to students for academic support. The number of staff collaboration periods would also increase from 18 to 37, allowing for more coordination and learning among teachers.
The predictability of a five-day bell schedule also better enables students seeking employment, internships, or concurrent enrollment at local colleges/universities than a seven-day bell schedule
To provide students, parents/guardians, and the Piedmont community an opportunity to discuss the bell schedule pilot, PHS/MHS will be hosting an information night in the PHS student center on Thursday, May 29 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
