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Belgrade schools to expand teacher training, PLCs to support 95‑minute block schedule
Summary
District instructional leader Shannon outlined a plan of monthly professional‑learning communities, curriculum redesign, student engagement strategies, pacing/time‑management coaching and substitute‑folder standards to make the 95‑minute block schedule more effective.
Shannon (S4) told trustees the district will dedicate monthly professional‑learning community (PLC) time to adapting curriculum, engagement strategies, pacing and assessment for a 95‑minute block schedule. The work is intended to help teachers plan transitions, use varied activities and avoid lengthy lectures that lose student attention.
Shannon said the district identified four priorities: curriculum redesign to align to block periods, engagement strategies and pacing, assessment adaptations (including projects and presentations), and collaborative planning. She told trustees that newer teachers often lack block‑instruction training and that targeted professional development will include practical checklists and substitute‑ready lesson folders with seating charts and emergency procedures.
As one practical support, Shannon said the district purchased Edpuzzle premium to provide video lessons with embedded assessments that substitutes can use; she described a required check‑off for teachers to confirm their subfolders meet district content standards. Trustees and staff discussed how higher class sizes and longer blocks change grouping and management strategies but generally praised the emphasis on peer‑led teacher training and cross‑department collaboration.
Shannon said the goal is to make block instruction more engaging and consistent across grade levels so teachers and substitutes can maintain momentum during longer periods.
