I am glad to read so many fruitful perceptions that stem from an intrinsic obligation to do what is best for the community we have chosen to serve.  Although I have experiences as a student & teacher at Manual Arts High School, as well as one year of 4x4 schedule at South East High School during its inaugural year, I will set aside my experiences in order to not assume that my perceptions may speak to whether the 4x4 works or not.

What I do wish to share is a hope that whatever we choose to do, we choose to do the right way.  Back in time when Manual Arts chose to move into the AB block schedule in the early 90"s, it was done so with the plan to revisit the schedule after 4 years.  Unfortunately, no data system was set in place that would assist us in deciding the objectives that can define a bell schedule as successful or nor.  The same occurred when we moved into the 4x4 schedule.  This is why we are currently scrambling to put things together that will define whether a bell schedule works or not.

I do want to clarify that when I say "Data" I am not only speaking of performance based information.  I believe that perception data, such as the views of staff, parents and students is just as important in deciding whether or not something works.   Hence, we need to define the following:

1.  What are the deliverables that a successful bell schedule brings?

2.  How do we measure the selected deliverables?

3.  Who do we make responsible for monitoring the deliverables?

4.  How much time do we give a bell schedule before we begin to analyze and scrutinize the deliverables?

5.  What timeline do we develop that will be followed if the bell schedule is deemed as not successful?

As always, I have faith that the Manual Arts family will choose to do what is best for the community we have chosen to serve.  I hope that this time we move forward learning from our past mistakes.  Whether we keep the current schedule or nor will not matter if we do not address how we are getting there, and once there, how we delineate a process that will guide us towards continuous improvement.