OP_120816

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the orland park prairie | December 8, 2016 | 3
Consolidated High School D230 Board of Education
Officials boast great returns for students on new curriculum focusing on Period 2
Lee Edwards
Freelance Reporter
Consolidated High
School District 230’s associate
high school principals
reported Thursday, Dec. 1,
during a special meeting
of the Board of Education
the success of a systemwide
curriculum change
that provides structured
in-school opportunities for
students and teachers to
grow together.
Implemented by D230
during the 2011-2012
school year, Period 2 — a
mandatory 35-minute study
hall for all students — originally
was a pilot program
designed to give a select
number of freshmen opportunities
to have additional
academic assistance. By
the 2012-2013 school, Period
2 was fully integrated
in all district high schools
for all grades.
Now, Period 2 occurs
four days a week, offers
student choices, as well
as provides individualized
student assistance, small
group relearning, test, quiz
assignment make-up, independent
study, and enrichment
and leadership opportunities.
Period 2 is broken down
into two categories: advisory
and intervention/
enrichment. The advisory
component is based upon
the American School Counselor
Association model,
which places an emphasis
on four pillars: academics,
social-emotional learning,
transition and college/career.
The pillars are reinforced
by teachers throughout
students’ high school
careers through relationship
development, academic
wellness checks and SEL
curriculum.
Intervention/enrichment
provides students with
times to sign up with their
specific teachers for assistance,
as well as media center
quiet study, group work,
computer labs research/paper/canvas,
physical education
make-up and enrichment,
test prep, and more.
Students identified in need
of immediate academic assistance
meet with deans
and other staff.
Brian Klene, associate
principal at Sandburg; Abir
Othman, associate principal
at Andrew; and Ian MacLeod,
associate principal
at Stagg; all gave their remarks
in support of Period
2. The trio discussed how
Period 2 impacts standardized
test scores, incoming
teachers, parent response
and more.
Klene noted that, prior to
Period 2, not all students
had access to/or sought the
most beneficial methods to
their own success but now
are compelled to do so.
“The key point is we have
all the kids captured now
with some sort of assistance;
whereas, with the old
structure, it was optional,”
Klene said. He said parent
response to Period 2 has
been “positive” thus far.
“I think [parents] love the
fact that all of the kids have
been captured,” said Klene.
“Their sons and daughters
have access to their specific
teacher, and I think
that’s a really important
component of it. If they’re
struggling with something
the night before, they can
schedule to see that teacher
the next day.”
Othman recalled prior to
Period 2 classes, began at
8:30 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.
which did not accommodate
students in need of additional
academic support
but without the means to
come to school early. She
explained this year as the
state of Illinois transitions
to SAT prep from ACT
prep, Period 2 is in place to
help students prepare.
“We’re providing them
opportunities, structured,
with an adult in the room to
help guide them,” Othman
said. “It has actually transformed
our guidance in our
student services for all three
buildings. We have a lot of
college career opportunities
with the kids at this time.”
MacLeod said teachers
new to D230 “love” Period
2 and are partnered with established
teachers to become
acclimated to the schedule.
“In many cases, with the
advisories, we have two
teachers working with our
students, so we’re able to,
in most cases, partner new
teachers with those who
might be veterans,” MacLeod
said. “What we have
found in all of our buildings
is that teachers catch
on right away. They realize
that the advisory piece is
all about the relationships,
and it’s so nice to have that
same group in front of you.”
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