Reducing the
Scheduling
Headache:
Arena Scheduling
Lanese Slagle
Forsyth Middle School
WHAT IS ARENA SCHEDULING?
A form of scheduling where students create
their own schedules and teachers get a say in
their class rosters. It can typically be done in
one to two days.
HOW DOES IT BENEFIT STUDENTS?
Students have ownership of their schedule. They
complete credit checks and get to decide what classes
to take that benefit their plans. Their schedule is
practically complete before the end of the year!
HOW DOES IT BENEFIT TEACHERS?
Teachers have ownership of their classes. They
get to monitor class rosters and class size as they
sign up students for classes. Teachers pretty much
know their rosters before the end of the year!
• Set your arena scheduling dates and times
• May take one day for your school, possibly two.
• Some schools do the arena scheduling after regular school hours
assigning a day to seniors, juniors, soph, fresh accordingly
• About 4-6 weeks before the established Arena Scheduling day
set up times to meet with all grades/classes
• 2+ months out make copies of transcripts and paperwork for
arena scheduling
• Depending on how you are splitting students try and do this
before you go into classes as well – helps give students
incentive to turn things in
Arena Scheduling
Timeline
• Take:
• Transcripts for every student
• Arena Scheduling Forms
• Arena Scheduling checklists
• Have on your computer and the kids (or printed off for
them):
•
•
•
•
Credit check sheets
Graduation requirements
Classes offered list
Your instructions ppt.
When you visit the
classes
CREDIT CHECK SHEET
CREDIT LIST AND GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS
Arena Scheduling
Worksheet
Transcript and Current
Schedule Sign off on Back of
Arena Scheduling Worksheet
ASW Teacher
Responsibilities Day
of Arena Scheduling
• Most Student Information Systems will assign each of your
courses a specific number and section
• These are entered using the following technique or something
similar:
• Make sure you are in next years file set
• Go to the student’s schedule in SIS
• Begin entering the numbers and section codes into the blank box
at the top of the students schedule
• As you enter classes the students schedule will begin to be created
• Check with your SIS provider to see if this is possible. From
experience Lumens and Tyler both provide this feature.
Course Numbers and
Sections
DEPARTMENT GOOGLE
DOC ROSTERS AND
COURSE NUMBERS
• Have teachers update course descriptions including additional
costs and requirements of the course and share this with
students when you visit them.
• Create a checklist for students and include it with your
transcript/scheduling form sheet. It should include things like
due dates, requirements, rules/instructions, etc.
• Put the students transcript, teacher signature page, and
Scheduling form all on the same page for easy viewing
• Have forms due a few days prior to the arena scheduling day –
make a copy of the form as students turn them in – colored
paper helps to organize by class.
• The day of scheduling give students back their form to get
signatures. They will turn it back in to you before they leave.
• Have a plan to notify students as courses fill up
• Get extra hands on deck for entering schedules
Tips and Pointers
HANDOUTS CAN BE FOUND
AT:
www.tinyurl.com/arenaschedulingmsca