Springbank
Community
High School
Springbank Community High School Focus Time Implementation
Memo to Students
Springbank Community High School was one of the first schools in Alberta to participate in the High School Flexibility
Project, now part of High School Redesign. According to Alberta Education, “Redesigning high school focuses on
research and 'next practice' thinking-where schools have implemented strategies and approaches aimed at
transforming the high-school experience for students and teachers through changes to school structure, culture,
pedagogy or leadership.” For the past three years, SCHS has utilized an extended lunch hour as an opportunity for
students to receive one-on-one tutoring, extra help, and support from their teachers by making use of teachers’ tutorial
hours. While this was a step in the right direction, SCHS is moving forward with high school redesign, having reflected
on the successes of the current use of time and is making further changes to the school-day structure to enhance
effectiveness for the 2015/2016 school year.
Beginning in September 2015, SCHS will be implementing a 40 minute “Focus Time” block into the schedule. Students
will use PowerSchool and have the flexibility to sign up for a preferred tutorial or activity in advance of the start of the
week, and attend that class during Focus Block. This time will allow students even more access to one-on-one support
from their teachers, as well as time to work on homework, and complete assignments. In addition to the opportunity to
work on their class work and meet with teachers, students will also have opportunities to use Focus Time to learn
about scholarships, participate in wellness activities, receive career information, and participate in student led (and
teacher-sponsored) general interest activities.
In order to accommodate Focus Block, lunch will be now be 50 minutes, and classroom instructional time has been
reduced to maximize student attention. Focus Block will occur between periods 1 and 2 from Monday – Thursday.
Friday’s schedule will remain unchanged.
Time
Period 1
8:40-9:53
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
3
1
3
1
9:57-10:37
Advisory/Focus
Focus
Focus
Focus
2
Period 2
9:48-10:50
2
4
2
4
LUNCH
10:50-11:50
Period 2
10:4111:54
11:5412:44
Period 3
12:44-1:57
Period 4
2:01-3:14
LUNCH
3
3
1
3
1
4
2
4
2
4
Time
Period 1
8:40-9:42
Period 3
11:50-12:52
Period 4
12:58-2:00
…PAGE 2
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What if I want to go off campus for lunch?
A: Fridays are special and will remain 60 minute lunches. The rest of the week, 50 minutes is ample time to go off
campus for lunch.
Q: If I have all my homework done, what else can I do during Focus Block?
A: There are other areas that students can access to support things such as wellness, post-secondary exploration,
career information, scholarship information, quiet study time or general interest activities. Students, if so inclined and
with a teacher sponsor, may offer their own activities.
Q: What happens if I skip Focus Block?
A: PowerSchool will record the absences as any other class and an email will go home. The same guidelines for
absences as they apply to classes apply to Focus time. In the case of chronic absenteeism, administration will be
involved. There will be an ‘Admin’ focus room to deal with chronic issues.
Q: Can I always choose whatever Focus Block I want?
A: As long as you are making appropriate choices and experiencing success in your classes, the choice of which
Focus Blocks to attend will remain yours. Your Advisory teacher may meet with you to discuss how you have been
using your time. Additionally if a classroom teacher notices any issues, s/he may assign you to their Focus Block.
Q: Are there any “freedom” areas, where I can just hang out?
A: The student gathering area may be available to students who are in good standing in all of their classes. Some more
comfortable furnishings will be there to make the space more enticing.
Q: If I have a spare before or after Focus Block, do I still have to attend?
A: Yes. Students with spares are still expected to sign up for and attend Focus Block; it is not a second spare.
Q: What if the Focus Block I want to go to is full when I try to sign up?
A: Students are expected to sign up in advance for Focus times that are a priority for them. If you cannot access a
particular Focus Block, you should contact that particular teacher to make alternate arrangements.
Q: Will my teachers assign extra homework for me to complete in Focus Block?
A: No. The intent of the Focus block is not to provide more work for students. It is to provide students with access to
supported work time.
Q: Can I switch between more than one place in a single Focus Block?
A: No. Forty minutes is a good length of time to focus on one area. Students are expected to bring enough work to
remain in one space for the length of the focus block.
Q: What is the purpose of advisory? How will it help me?
A: The main purpose is to meet your needs regarding significant learning outside the classroom curriculum. Topics
include scholarships, financial literacy and budgeting, goal setting, post-secondary information, digital citizenship,
conflict resolution and healthy relationships.
Q: What is MyBlueprint?
A: MyBlueprint is an online educational planning program that helps you decide how to approach the remainder of
your high school career, and how to prepare for life after high school. With MyBlueprint, you will learn diploma
requirements, explore interest inventories, recognize learning styles, plan your remaining high school courses, explore
possible post-secondary options, create a digital portfolio, examine budgeting and financial considerations, and
research possible future occupations.
Q: Will Teacher Advisors understand my particular situation?
A: Yes. Advisory periods will help to build stronger relationships and connections between students and staff.
Teachers will learn about your interests and plans, and will therefore have a greater overall understanding of you, and
how to support you. Teacher advisors will be available to students who have questions about the topics covered in
advisory.
Q: Is advisory any different than it has been?
A: Advisory will now be attached to a regular class, and will change each semester. It will have a more purposeful and
structured curriculum, designed to address needs that students themselves have helped to identify. Advisory will occur
more frequently—every week, as opposed to every two weeks.
Q: What is the format of advisory?
A: Advisory groups will have weekly meetings. The meetings may vary with regard to length of time. Groups will be
grade specific.
Q: Is Advisory optional?
A: No. Advisory is an important component of your overall learning.
Q: Will I receive credits for attending and completing Advisory?
A: No. The Advisory course does not have any credits attached to it. However, attending Advisory will help you
prepare to achieve your goals in credit-based courses.
Q: Why will I likely have a different Teacher Advisor each semester?
A: Advisory is now a component of a regular class. This means that Advisory teachers will develop rapport with you
more easily, because they will get to know you better, and more quickly. This will make the Advisory curriculum
delivery more effective. In addition, you will develop relationships with more teachers, which will give you more options
about who to approach with questions relating to your education and future plans.
Q: Can I request a particular Teacher Advisor?
A: No. Your advisor will be your block 1 teacher.
Q: Is there a different Advisory curriculum for each grade level?
A: Yes. Curriculum will be grade level dependent, based on feedback students provided at the beginning of this year
and you will progress through the entire Advisory curriculum throughout your years at Springbank Community High
School.