7 Period Day at DHS to Require $100,000 Book Inves

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Transitioning from a Block 4 schedule to a seven-period schedule next year at the Du Quoin High School will require an investment of about $100,000 in new textbooks, according to Superintendent Dr. Gary Kelly.

He said the district's business office is already working with the Du Quoin High School to identify possible needs and plan for the expense. He said textbook purchases will not be made until the new schedule is finished. Conferences will be held with teachers to identify needs and the most current materials.

He said best guess will be an investment of about $100,000 in new textbooks and materials. He said some of the money will come from annual line item textbook budgets. The balance of the money will be achieved by shifting funds in the district's annual $300,000 supplies budget to textbooks. Monies will be added in subsequent years as those book needs are identified.

The high school will go from the current Block 4 schedule (75 minute class periods) to seven periods (50 minute class periods) beginning in the year 2010-2011.

Dr Kelly: There are a couple of factors driving this 1. The emphasis on core curriculum of English, math, science and social studies all year long, and 2.) Keeping students fresh in these areas all year long because of testing schedules. For some students, the Block 4 schedule is more conducive to achieving student academic wants at the expense of meeting their academic needs.

"I think we can do both," he added.

He said seven periods doesn't mean that students can't take one course the first semester and another course the second semester. He said fourth and fifth hours could be broken up into 4A, 4B and 5A and 5B if necessary to meet specific lunch planning and academic scheduling needs.