Hi All,
In an effort to help reduce spending for next school year, we are piloting an Early Release Day on Thursday, May 20, 2010 (this month). School will be starting at the same time, but releasing at 11:20. This means that all students who normally get picked up at 1:50, will instead need to be gathered at 11:20.

Each year, we pay approximately $20,000 for substitutes to release teachers from their classrooms monthly for a half day during the school day for the purpose of planning and collaboration with their grade level team. While this practice is a research based best practice and is a highly valued part of Miraloma's Balanced Score Card, it comes at a monetary cost that we simply cannot afford for next year. It is common practice for middle and high schools within SFUSD to have the students released early from school on a regular basis, and just as common throughout the state to have early release at the elementary level. While teacher planning with substitute release is a practice that we cannot financially afford, it is also a practice that we cannot afford to give up. Thus, the reason to pilot an early release day this month, with the hopes of instating it on a monthly basis next school year.

There are too many details and benefits to really be listed in this posting, but more information is to come at the next SSC meeting, in Morning Circle, and in the weekly newsletter. To help to make this day successful, we ask that you make the necessary scheduling adjustments on your end to pick students up at 11:20, if they are normally picked up immediately after school releases. The after school programs will be beginning earlier and ending at the same time. One great idea from a parent was that parents can plan together to arrange for students to have play dates with each other, allowing for one parent to take a group of students to a local park or playground until 1:50, or a predetermined time. Of course, if this shifting in schedule absolutely does not work for you for one reason or another, please feel free to contact me so that we may work to accommodate you or your child.

We realize that this will be a shift in scheduling and will take some tweaking and adjusting to comb out the wrinkles. This is the purpose for doing the pilot in May, so if we determine to proceed with Early Release next year, we will be one step closer to ensuring a smooth transition for the students. Please feel free to contact me via the email listed below with any questions and/or comments.

Thank you,

Ron Machado
machador@sfusd.edu