Dist. 103 may add late arrival days for staff collaboration

The possibility of having four late arrival days next school year at Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103 schools to provide staff collaboration time will be discussed at the school board meeting Tuesday, June 16.

Students would start school 90 minutes later at Daniel Wright, Laura Sprague and Half Day schools.

"We haven't put it out to seek parent opinions on it yet, because we wanted to first get the approval from the board," said Katie Reynolds, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

The board was told of the idea at a meeting June 2 and will discuss it again at its regular meeting but won't formally vote on it, she said.

"There really isn't any time currently provided where all the staff have time to come together and talk about the best way to implement something or provide feedback on that implementation," said Reynolds.

The collaboration would involve teachers, as well as teaching assistants, librarians, and other staff.

Beth Hanna, the 2014-2015 PTO president, said she likes the idea, though it may upset parents facing child care issues.

"I could imagine quite a bit of community pushback," Hanna said.

She said, though, that it's important for teachers to support each other and she believes the staff that are the most engaged tend to increase the level of the ones who may be less engaged.

"I think it's a fantastic idea," she said. "I think more collaboration between our teachers and staff only benefits our children."

Reynolds said school officials haven't decided whether the before- and after-school program would still be available on these days or be available to additional students who face child care issues. The four days would be coordinated with the early release days at Stevenson High School, she said.

"Our attempt was to keep families on the same schedule," said Reynolds.

At the June 2 meeting, board member Sherri Thomas questioned how much would be accomplished during those 90 minutes and was concerned about the late arrival possibly having a negative impact on the students' schedules.

"We wouldn't want to take away instructional time if it wasn't going to provide a gain in the long run," Reynolds said.

The board meets at 7 p.m. at the Daniel Wright Junior High School Library, 1370 N. Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire.