For several years, Mariposa County High School has started the school day at 9 a.m. on Fridays.
This late start is intended to give teachers time for professional development and department collaboration.
Also over the last few years, seniors have been dismissed for the school year earlier than the other grade levels with the option to remain in school until the end of the traditional year.
This process was designed to decrease attendance issues and conflicts for multiple senior activities happening the last couple weeks of school.
This time also allows school staff to provide targeted support for seniors at risk of not graduating.
Lydia Lower, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, spoke on these topics during the regularly scheduled school board meeting on Nov. 13.
“The goal of this presentation is two-fold,” Lower said.
“One, it is just to share the information of current practice and then to share information regarding the timeline in which we are bringing these items forward to the board.”
Currently, MCHS participates in late-start Fridays where classes begin at 9 a.m. on Fridays instead of the earlier time of 8 a.m. which is the start time Monday through Thursday.
“The time is currently used for clubs, tutoring and makeup work, meetings with school staff and couselors as well as professional development and staff meetings,” Lower said.
“This time is really there to support students and teachers in a variety of ways.”
There is also a separate practice of seniors having the option to end the school year earlier than the freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
“In the past seniors have had the option to end the school year earlier,” continued Lower.
“It has been anywhere from a few days to two weeks and this has been dependent on when the end of the school year activities take place.”
The purpose of the senior end of year release option has been to decrease attendance issues.
“We all know that our seniors can sometimes have a more difficult time focusing on showing up to where they need to be at the end of the school year,” said Lower.
“It really provides an incentive to be on track to graduate.”
Students who are not on track to graduate do not have this option.
This option also gives time and space for senior activities.
“We know there are a lot of special events that seniors participate in at the end of their senior year,” explained Lower.
“It also allows teachers to give focus and attention to seniors who may be in danger of failing.”
Currently the district is in the process of gaining educational partner input on what these current practices.
The district has sent out a survey to parents, teachers and staff.
“We have over 300 responses,” Lower said.
“The team is in the process of going through that data.”
Lower explained Mary Matchett, Special Projects Coordinator for Educational Services, will be holding a listening session through Zoom.
“If there is anyone who prefers to speak about their thoughts on these items she’ll be listening,” said Lower.
“We’re going to be coming to speak with all of you at these public board meetings.”
The timeline is to provide this overview (happened at the Nov. 13 meeting), continue gathering input with a public hearing at the meeting in February with all final revisions being presented during the meeting in April.
“In May we will be seeking approval for continuing these practices in the 2026-2027 school year,” Lower said.
“I should clarify there is no plan on changing what we’re doing this year.”
Board chair Wayne Forsythe inquired about gathering more information at a later time about the cost of a late start and “what the liability is with dropping kids off and what’s the liability with kids out of school early as seniors,” he said.
“I’d like to visit with you later about that.”
Responses (0)