Neligh-Oakdale To Add 20 Minutes To School Day For AYP

Beginning at the start of the second semester, an additional 20 minutes will be added to the Neligh-Oakdale school day, Monday through Thursday.

What is AYP Time and what will AYP Time look like for my student(s)?
Monday – Thursday = 8:00-3:44 and Friday = 8:00-2:31
A 20 minute block of time will be used Monday-Thursday for students that have not met the benchmarks that were established by the Department of Education. Students in grades 7-12 will be placed in small groups and will report to a specific teacher every morning from 8:00 to 8:20. During this time teachers will be utilizing different techniques to improve their math and reading skills.

At the conclusion of AYP Time a regular 8 period day will follow for students in grades 7-12. School will dismiss for the day at 3:44 and buses will run accordingly. Fridays will remain the same as they are now with the exception of adding 1 minute to each class period and lunch period. On Fridays school will begin at 8:00 and dismiss at 2:31 and there will not be an AYP Time set aside. Preschool time changes for second semester will be altered slightly for the afternoon class, with arrival time being 12:10-12:25 and their dismissal time from 3:25-3:35.

Why do Neligh-Oakdale students need AYP Time?
To improve reading and math skills!
After reviewing our district data, the Continuous Improvement committee (almost 25% of certified staff), researched area schools and possible interventions. The committee discovered that many schools in our area have employed different strategies to address the needs of their students. It is our goal that our students test scores from NeSA, Maps, and the ACT will improve with the addition of 80 minutes of extra instruction per week and thus the theme “Achieve Your Potential”.

When will AYP Time begin?
Monday, January 6th, 2014
The Neligh Oakdale School District will be adding 20 minutes to the school day beginning with the second semester, January 6th, 2014.

Is this punishing the students who already excel in math and reading? Who benefits from AYP Time?
Absolutely not – AYP Time is not punishment! All students, grades K-12, will benefit from AYP Time!

Based upon many requests of the student advisory team [grades 7-12], those students that have already mastered reading/math skills will be given the opportunity of a study hall where they will be able to complete homework or read. Students who have met benchmark, but are on the failing list, will report to a different study hall where they will be provided a National Honor Society tutor and required to work on the specific area in which they are failing.  At the elementary level teachers will utilize the additional time for language arts skills and writing skills.