CMS Introduces Block Scheduling for the 2015-16 School Year

After many months of research, scheduling, and meetings Chadron Middle School is proud to announce the new block schedule that will go into effect at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year. The schedule features four (4) 84-minute blocks, a 5-minute advisory time during 1st block, a 40-minute lunch, 40-minute music classes, and extended passing times between blocks.  Students will have an 8-minute break in between 1st and 2nd block, during which a grab and go breakfast will be available that they can take to class. On 1:30 dismissal days, blocks will be 55-minutes long with a 40-minute lunch and 40-minute music classes.  Below are the regular and 1:30 dismissal schedules.

The middle school will utilize rotating block or A/B block schedule to meet the needs of our students. In this type of schedule, students rotate certain classes on alternating days throughout the school year. The new schedule will ensure that every student gets 84-minutes of math and reading daily, which nearly doubles the amount of instruction time in these classes.  In addition, every student, without exception, will get 40-minutes of music instruction daily and have an opportunity to take Art, Physical Education/Health (PEH), Family and Consumer Science/Health (FCS), and Computers. Art/Computers and FCSH/PEH will split an 84-minute block and will meet on alternating days for an entire semester. Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies will also meet every other day on the rotating block for the entire school year.  Below are examples of what a student's schedule might look like.

The middle school would like to thank all of the parents, staff, and stakeholders that provided feedback during the creation of the block schedule.  Continued feedback from all of our stakeholders is encouraged, especially as we implement the schedule next year and continue to find ways to meet the needs for all of the students Chadron Middle School.