High School Redesign

What is High School Redesign? High School Redesign focuses on research and innovative 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. There are currently over 100 high schools in Alberta that are implementing high school redesign strategies.

Principles of High School Redesign Mastery learning Rigorous and relevant curriculum Personalization Flexible learning environments Educator roles and professional development Meaningful relationships Home and community involvement Assessment Welcoming, caring, respectful and safe

What is a Teacher Advisory Group? The TAG is a combination of Grade 10, 11 and 12 students who are connected to one teacher in the school. This teacher has the opportunity to get to know students on a more personal level, rather than a traditional teacher/student relationship. The TAG teacher is a person that students can go to for advice and support. TAG will meet at various times in the year during Flex Blocks.

What is a Flex Block? Flex Block is a 40 minute class that will be held once a week, on Tuesday mornings. You will have a variety of sessions, tutorials and activities to choose from each week. This is an opportunity for you to do your own scheduling based on your learning needs and interests. Everyone must make a choice for Flex Block each Tuesday. Teachers will take attendance just like in any other class. We believe that Flex Block is important for you. Otherwise we would not be doing it!

Flex Day Schedule Block 18:37 – 9:5275 minutes Break9:52 – 9:597 minutes Flex Block9:59 – 10:3940 minutes Break10:39 – 10:467 minutes Block 210:46 – 12:0175 minutes Lunch12:01 – 12:4342 minutes Block 312:43 – 1:5875 minutes Break1:58 – 2:057 minutes Block 42:05 – 3:2075 minutes

Why are we doing this? High School Redesign is not just about shifting a timetable. It’s about shifting mindsets. While the timetable shift opens the door for schools to create flexible learning environments, the mindset shift leads to changes in practice that ensure the flexible learning environments are used to support increased student engagement in learning and improve student achievement.

Take a look at this video Flexible Learning Environments

How do I register for my Flex Block? You will have until midnight on Monday evening to register for your Flex Block on Tuesday. This will be done through Power School on your cell phone, tablet or computer.

What can I register for in Flex Block? Some of the possibilities include: Tutorials in Social Studies Computer Labs will be open Tutorials in ELA essay writing Tutorials for help in Balancing Chemical Equations Art classes Drumming circles Relaxation techniques

Stress management Open session math help Post secondary information Accessing student loans The library will be open for quiet study Information on work experience and RAP Extra time to complete projects in CTS Try Com Tech if you have not been able to fit it in your schedule Various guest speakers will be offering presentations

Teacher assigned Flex Block Your teacher may want to work with you during a flex block. He/she might want to work with you on a missing assignment, help you catch up on work, assist you in your understanding of learning outcomes in that course, have you write a summative assessment that you have missed. Your teacher will let you know that they have assigned you into his/her Flex Block for that day.

What are we doing next Tuesday in Flex Block? You will learn how to register for sessions through PowerSchool. You will have the opportunity to review your marks and progress in your Semester 1 courses. You will have an opportunity to get to know the people in your TAG. You will preview and register for the January Flex Block sessions which will be on Thursdays for this month.

What questions do you have?