7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
7 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Constructing School Buildings

by mwashington
6 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
I need some suggestion on solving this problem. I am an administrator of a high school. I have a high school that is the biggest high school in the state. It has 3500 students. By state standards all the rooms are filled to capacity at 30 in each class. What can be done to solve this problem in a non-traditional way ,so we don't have to build another high school now or in the future.
#manuel washington #solving problem
  • Profile picture of the author thebetterbocaj
    What is your problem, that you ran out of rooms to put students into? You could have the district bus some students from your area to other schools. That is what schools around me do to make sure none are overcrowded.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4672219].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      FULLY utilize the space you have. A new large middle school a mile from my home has students that arrive from 7:30-8:00 am - and leave a little after 2 PM. The rest of the time the school is used only for after school activities and sports and meetings, etc and the classrooms sit empty.

      During the summer - the school sits empty. Why?

      Being "out" of school all summer is a tradition that began when farmers needed their kids to help out from planting through harvest season. How many kids work on farms these days? That would also ease the crowded school bus situation - here the buses run two trips so some kids must go to school super early while others barely make class on time.

      Why don't schools run two classes a day in each classroom? One class would meet from 7:30-12 noon - lunch would be 12-1 for all - second class would meet in the same room from 1 pm-5:30 PM (or 1:30-6:00). That would also ease the crowded school bus situation - here the buses run two trips so some kids must go to school super early while others barely make class on time.

      Extend the school year to make up for the additional classroom hours needed and kids would still have a decent summer vacation - and expensive school buildings would be fully utilized.

      You could educate 60 kids in the same amount of space now used for 30.
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      2024 Patriot's Award for Service to Veterans
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4672973].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    Kay is on the same idea as I had - it is non-traditional to be sure - but why can't a school be taught in shifts? plus any "study hall" time can be done off site - that is usually unsupervised anyway. A teacher can monitor that time online.
    If it boils down to "babysitting bodies" on site it can still be done by rotation.

    Students can be kept up to date on schedules/rooms and changes with SMS.

    If Social Media can be a great selling tool - it can be a great teaching tool.

    Think "Facebook" becomes "Textbook"...

    Students use social media anyway - what can be an easier way to keep them up to date?

    Also - many classes can easily be taught with Webinars - no space needed, they just need to log in, and attendance can be easily recorded. Surveys can gauge the general knowledge of subjects, and tell you who is paying attention and who is not -

    There are ways to authenticate attendance and student accountability.

    Homework can be assigned and hard copy can be handed in - or emailed to save paper.
    A teacher and an aid can monitor a webinar - you can have 30 students or 100, and you can record it for future use again or student playback if they need review.

    Plus - you're in Bentonville - this stuff would make great public relations for Walmart
    They can pitch in a few bucks or donate media equipment for a revolutionary new teaching program in their own home town? Or provide media assistance?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4673049].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    I like Kay's idea. The students should each have at LEAST about 16sf or so. When I was in school the class size hovered around 30, so I would NOT change that! The bussing idea STINKS!

    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4673058].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Birth control doesn't sound like a bad idea.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4673909].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    OK, HeySal's idea is even BETTER!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4674826].message }}

Trending Topics