South Loop Elementary School

Principal's Corner: Full School Day Update

On Wednesday evening, February 8th, dozens of South Loop School parents attended an open forum sponsored by the LSC to address plans and issues related to next year's anticipated longer school day.

The goal of the CPS Full Day initiative is to provide schools with additional tools that they can use to prepare their students for college and career readiness. By adopting a 7.5 hour day, which includes 90 additional minutes of instructional time, and a 180-day school year, we will move from one of the shortest school days in the nation to being on par with the national average of instructional time in elementary and high school as well as length of the school year. The extra time will ensure that students get the time they need with teachers to focus on core subjects such as Math, Reading, and Science.

Each school has been given the responsibility to design a full day schedule, within a set of established guidelines, which will meet the unique needs of the student population. At South Loop School, we have established a Full Day leadership team consisting of administration, teachers, an LSC representative, and an extended day representative to begin mapping out options for a full day schedule which accommodates the size of our school, our programming, and the students' academic needs.

The forum provided me with an opportunity to get input from our parent community, and I want to thank those parents who were in attendance at the forum. Your concerns and input are essential in our final decision on how to implement the full day schedule, and we will take into consideration issues raised about start time, school-wide homework policy and recess during temperatures below 40 degrees.

If you were unable to attend the forum, or if you would like to voice your thoughts on the full day initiative, you can visit the CPS Ideas Forum.

Additionally, the Chicago Teachers Union, has prepared an open letter and petition for school staff, parents and community members which calls for full participation in decision-making and a better school day, not just a longer one.