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Committee to focus first on enrichment schedule as step toward broader middle‑school changes
Summary
District scheduling committee recommended prioritizing the middle‑school enrichment (specials/electives) calendar and course timing, with an aim to return an enrichment‑specific recommendation by November for implementation in 2026–27; other areas (bell schedule, fifth‑core classes, Hawk time) will follow.
Unionville‑Chadds Ford staff on May 12 outlined a multi‑phase plan to revise Patton Middle School’s schedule and said the committee will prioritize the enrichment (specials/electives) calendar first to enable downstream changes in bell times, the so‑called fifth‑core classes and Hawk time.
Committee leaders said the review began with concerns about how music ensembles currently occupy Hawk time and limit flexibility, which prompted a broader examination of enrichment cadence (quarters, trimesters, semesters), period length, and how world language and gifted services fit into the schedule. The committee identified three scheduling priorities: fostering meaningful relationships (ensuring students can connect with adults), student agency and choice, and equitable allocation of instructional time across subjects.
The committee recommended a focused, short‑term effort to redesign the enrichment schedule and return a recommendation in November, explaining that changes to enrichment sequencing are necessary before considering larger bell‑schedule adjustments or redefining the fifth‑core courses. Committee members said the November timeline was chosen to allow schedule changes to be communicated prior to course selection in spring 2026 and to implement revisions in the 2026–27 school year.
Committee leads flagged that middle‑school scheduling is complex because changes to one element — enrichment cadence, Hawk time or period length — cascade across staffing, staffing assignments and course offerings. They said subsequent phases will address bell schedules, Hawk time use and the fifth‑core allocation once enrichment sequencing is resolved.
No formal board action was taken at the May 12 meeting; the schedule‑committee work will continue and the committee expects to present an enrichment plan in November.
