March 1, 2019

Dear Parents,

In an effort to keep up with research and best practice ISY is investigating the feasibility of moving the start of school to a later time. Recently the secondary parents, students, and teachers completed a survey gauging the support for this initiative. The results of the survey are outlined at the end of this message. Many parents, students, and staff are in support of an 8:30 AM start time. However, before taking on this initiative, there are a variety of factors that will need to be considered such as the impact on traffic, ASA’s, SEASAC activities and busing to name a few.

A shift in start time will not add more hours to the day, or be a magical solution to the lack of sleep many of our secondary students are experiencing.  However, it could potentially allow adolescence a little more time when it matters most. Over the next few weeks, ISY will be investigating the impacts of moving the start time of the school day. If the start of the school day is changed to 8:30 AM, this will be articulated to the community the first week of April.

Update from the Counselor: This week Mr. AG took time out of his busy schedule to visit eight universities in Hong Kong. As students explore their many university options, Hong Kong is an area to take into consideration. We look forward to Mr. AG sharing his experience and knowledge gained through these visits. 

Lisa Isom : ISY's New Director of Athletics and Extra-Curricular Programs will be on campus this week. 

Spring Exams for high school students: High School exams (Grades 9-11) will take place the week of April 24th. The spring exams  are summative assessments where students have an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned throughout the school year. The exams are at the end of April to allow teachers the opportunity to assess students’ long-term learning and provide feedback to the students. The timing of the exam allows teachers time to introduce a final unit before the end of the year which will be assessed and included in the quarter four report card. This allows for teaching and learning to occur until the final day of school. As high school students progress through the years, learning how to study for cumulative exams is important as, at the end of grade 12, all students take exams which assess two years of academic content.

April Exam Schedule

This Week in Secondary School  

• Grade 12 Mock Exams will begin on March 7, 2019 to March 14, 2019. Mock Exam Schedule
• AAPPL Testing (Grades 6-10): Students in their language classes will be taking a language proficiency test to help us better understand their growth. This information along with other data points will be used to help determine their language class for next school year. The Exams will take place over the next three weeks. 

Start Time Survey 2019 Summary

1.       I support having grades 6-12 school start at 8:30 am. This would likely mean that the school day would be from 8:30-3:15 PM. 

	Parent	Students	Staff
Agree	53%	58%	45%

2.       I support having grades 6-12 school start at 9:00 am. This would likely mean that the school day would be from 9:00-3:45 PM. 

	Parent	Students	Staff
Agree	33%	36%	28%

3.       If the school day started later, I would support the creation of an optional class period for electives that run before the start of the school day.

	Parent	Students	Staff
Agree	42%	49%	45%

4.       If the school day started earlier, I would support an increase in morning scheduled practices and meetings for clubs and sports.

	Parent	Students	Staff
Agree	49%	49%	68%