New Bell Schedule for the 2024-25 School Year

For the past several years, Arrowhead has been exploring schedule change options that optimize student opportunities and provide systemic academic support for all students. After two publicly held Board workshops and several committee meetings of discussion, the Arrowhead School Board approved a new schedule for 2024-25 at the November 8, 2023 School Board meeting.

Our current 10-period day, created in the 1970s, has evolved over the years to include 40 minute, 60 minute, A/B Block (every other day) and everyday block classes. The schedule no longer fits the learning needs of all students to increase growth and achievement for all. The Board and Administration, based on extensive reviews of high-performing area districts, believe we can serve students better in a A/B block schedule with a resource period.

Parent and student survey responses (2022)  provided valuable information, and also identified some key misconceptions and misunderstandings about the A/B Block model.  The information below should clarify what the new schedule will look like.

Resource Period

• Resource period will provide students access to teachers for support, enrichment, and connection on a daily basis. For students who do not need to see a teacher on any given day, the resource period can serve as a study hall.  The resource period will be required attendance, unless stated by administration that certain grade levels are excused.

• When a student is absent, the daily resource period will support students who missed class.  Missing one day in a block schedule also means students do not miss any class time for half of their classes, as opposed to missing EVERY class under the current model.  Further, the Canvas Learning Management System assists students with knowing what was taught in addition to providing access to resources/materials.

A/B Block Structure

• A/B block  provides students with the opportunity to take up to four classes a day on A days and up to four classes a day on B days (8 classes each semester).

• We believe it is in our students’ best interests to take a study hall each semester, however students may still enroll in 8 classes per semester. 

• Students who wish to participate in FSO (Flexible Schedule Option) may still do so.  The schedule for FSO will likely be every other day. 

• Students will have academic core classes (English, Math, Social Studies, Science) all year. 

• ALL AP courses will continue to have instructional minutes that exceed the College Board recommended minutes for instruction.

• Some elective classes/required classes that are currently one semester will remain so while year long classes will remain year long.

Learning in the Block

• 85 minute classes will be divided into “chunks” of time, improving upon already well-designed lessons by our teachers. Block lessons provide ample time for review of previous lessons, guided practice, deeper “dives” into content, group work, active “hands on” learning, independent support and intervention. 

• The block of time supports building strong literacy skills, which is a focus of our continuous improvement plan.  

• Teachers will not be lecturing for 85 minutes. The A/B block supports deeper learning as opposed to mere coverage of topics.

• The data from throughout the state of Wisconsin, as we have analyzed school achievement and schedules, shows several of the school districts that outperform AHS currently have a form of block schedule with a resource period.

• The A/B block schedule does NOT mean less opportunities for students. We can maintain course options and many students will be able to take more classes because there will be less course conflicts in scheduling. Students can continue to take 7, 7.5 or 8 classes a semester.

For more detailed information regarding the schedule, please review the FAQ.

Additionally, we will hold an informational meeting about the schedule on December 13, 2023 from 5-6:30 in the South Campus Library. 

As partners in education, we have the same goals for our students – we want them to achieve at the highest levels possible and be ready for the next stages of their lives. We want students to learn in a supportive environment and embrace all the opportunities high school offers.  We can accomplish this shared vision in the new block schedule. The Arrowhead Administration and School Board appreciate your support in making this exciting change. 

Please look for additional  details and opportunities to learn more in the coming months.

Sincerely, 

AHS Administration

2024 SENIOR PARTY HELP

Before you get to proudly watch your senior cross the stage to receive an AHS diploma, your senior will be enjoying a final party with peers the night before.  With that, WHY NOT HELP GET THE PARTY STARTED!  We are asking you to let us know if you would be interested in taking the lead on this years Senior Party OR if you'd be willing to help.

Please complete the questions in this Google Form so we can be in touch moving forward.  THANK YOU in advance for your help! 

Activities Office Contact Information

We're excited to welcome our student-athletes back for the 23-24 school year!  

Activities Director:  Ryan Mangan               262-369-3612 Ext 4203     mangan@arrowheadschools.org

AD Assistant:           Patrick Cottrell 8:00am-4:30pm   262-369-3612 Ext 4202     cottrell@arrowheadschools.org

Activities Asst.         Jill Bradley            7:00am-10:45am    262-369-3612 Ext 4213     bradley@arrowheadschools.org

Activities Asst.         Tina Groff            10:45am-4:00pm    262-369-3612 Ext 4213      

groff@arrowheadschools.org

Fax:  262-367-1870

School Year Hours: 7:00am-4:30pm

Linked HERE is information on all of our AHS Fall Sports and click HERE for information on all of our Clubs and HERE for our Fine Arts Programs! 

VAPING 

In our last issue, we provided the following article for parents.  Since that time, we also hosted a presentation on vaping at Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 9th.  We would like to provide those slides for you.  Please use this presentation to have a conversation with your child(ren) about vaping BUT be cautious in sharing it in it's entirely as you don't want to help your child(ren) find hiding spots (slide 24) or get other ideas on how to keep this behavior a secret.  

Arrowhead High School

Non-Arrowhead High School Sponsored Event or Activity

Absence Exception Request

Linked here you will find the application forms to be completed by you and your child relating to a request to exempt absences when participating in non-Arrowhead High School sponsored events or activities. Due to the fact that many of these events/activities take place outside of Hartland as well as outside of Wisconsin, we have found that students who participate in these tend to miss a larger number of days than students who are participating in an event/activity sponsored by AHS.  

Parents may excuse their students who miss school for a non-Arrowhead Sponsored Event as long as they are within the 10 days of absence alloted by the State of Wisconsin. Once the 10 days are met, students are marked as unexcused. An exemption in the missed day(s) can be granted if the student qualifies based on the application form linked above and team decision. An exemption means the absence does not count towards those 10 days.  

Please click on the link above and review the information provided.