Why the change?
Students have a lot to learn and enjoy in elementary school. By changing the schedule, students and teachers will benefit the following ways:

What does it mean for my child?

Core Classes: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies
With more time for core classes, your child’s teacher can provide more opportunities for hands-on, individualized learning. The new schedule provides larger units of instructional time - and this allows teachers to manage the classroom more effectively and meet the needs of all students in these important curricular areas. It allows for increased collaboration among teachers for students who receive services to support their education, such as those provided by Special School District and Reading Intervention.

Physical Education:
Rockwood is committed to providing health and physical education for all students. In previous years, elementary students would receive weekly, on average, four days of physical education and one day of health in a classroom setting. With upcoming changes to the schedule, students will now receive four days of physical education with health education integrated within the four-day physical education schedule. Health will be taught through a spiraling curriculum and when appropriate integrated into the physical education setting.  The health curriculum committee worked over the summer in redesigning the curriculum for the most effective way to deliver this instruction.

It is important to note the district exceeds the state requirements for minutes in physical education classes – now and with the new elementary schedule for 2010-2011.

Strings:
Research shows that students enjoy and retain music education the younger they are exposed to this type of learning. Next year, strings classes will be required for 3rd-grade and 4th-grade students. After this initial phase-in, strings classes become optional for 4th- and 5th-grade students during the 2011-2012 school year. Students at this level may choose the electives of strings or technology.

Technology:
Rockwood incorporates technology into the classroom. Our curriculum focuses on integration so technology is an important component in the classroom learning. The district has increased its collaboration among teachers, library media specialists and instructional technology coaches to ensure students learn research skills and Internet safety inside the classroom as part of their core education. Additional technology classes are available for students, as an alternative to strings education.