Before 8:30

Many times you will see on a midterm report, or a progress report narrative, that on time arrivals are vital for your student's social and academic development. I'm sure some folks wonder, what can possibly happen before school starts, because 8:30 is our start time. Can I be frank? A LOT!

A lot happens in a classroom before 8:30. The first students arrive promptly at 8:10. They are greeted by their teacher, and then morning work begins. In the fourth grade classroom (and others) what is to happen next is clear. A list of to do items are on the board. Students prepare the room for the day, they gather what they need from their backpack, mailbox and cubbies, and they work on MUG and POD (problem of the day). This week for example, students are finishing up their writing pieces and in class math assignments.

Socially, this is the time for students to catch up with their friends. There are very few times during the day when students can chat freely with one another--arrival, snack, park, lunch, and after school. That equals out to about one hour of our seven hour day. Not enough for some students. Plus, many students have exciting stories to share right when they arrive at school. If they run late, they don't get to share their words for two hours. That's too much time for some children, and they choose to share at inappropriate times.

We use every minute of the day for important work, and we begin before 8:30.