[BIHS] Your input needed on major BHS schedule changes

[Berkeley International High School]

The BHS Redesign Committee has been working for the past two years on 
various options for school reform intended to address Berkeley High's 
persistent achievement gap. The committee has now released its formal 
proposals, which were presented earlier this week to the School 
Governance Council and the BUSD Board of Directors. Now it's your turn 
--- BHS is seeking community input, and has scheduled two open forums to 
hear from parents, guardians and other community members. We have posted 
a copy of the Design Committee's recommendations 
<http://berkeleyihs.org/news/08-09/redesign.shtml> on the BIHS website, 
and we strongly encourage you to read the proposals and then attend one 
of the community forums to ask any questions you may have and to offer 
your input on the plans. The forums will be held on Monday, Nov. 24, in 
the school library from 7 to 8 p.m., and on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at St. 
Joseph the Worker Church from 7 to 8 p.m. (There will also be two forums 
for student input; we'll pass along the schedule for those meetings once 
it's known.)

Among the committee's recommendations that would have a major impact on 
the operation of BIHS are:

    * An alternating block schedule, with four class periods each day.
      Science labs and other zero- and seventh-period classes would be
      scheduled within the regular school day.
    * Science and math would become part of the core BIHS program.
      Foreign languages, PE, arts and African American studies would
      continue to be separate departments.
    * Implementation of an advisory program for all students, meeting
      twice a week.
    * Late start days each week.
    * All of these changes would begin in Fall 2009.

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