Flex Hour

Purpose & Overview

At Margaret L. Hopkin Middle School, Flex Hour is a designated time built into the school schedule designed to support the academic growth, social-emotional well-being, and personal development of every 7th and 8th-grade student. Guided by our school’s mission to balance academic excellence with social, emotional, and physical well-being, Flex Hour serves two primary purposes:

1. Targeted Interventions: Providing structured, built-in support for students who require additional time, instruction, or practice in academic subjects, behavioral expectations, or attendance recovery—all without missing core instruction.

2. Enrichment & Extension: Offering engaging, student-selected academic and extracurricular opportunities for students who are on track, allowing them to explore new interests, develop skills, and deepen their learning.

Student Responsibilities & Expectations

During Flex Hour, all students are expected to embody our Thunderbird S.O.A.R. principles:

• Safety First: Move directly and safely to your assigned or selected Flex Hour location during designated transition times. Remain in your scheduled room or space for the entire period.

• Own Your Actions: Take charge of your learning. Check your academic status regularly. If a teacher assigns you to an intervention session for make-up work, re-teaching, or academic support, report to that classroom promptly and come prepared with necessary materials (including your charged school-issued Chromebook).

• Act with Respect: Treat all staff, peers, and guest facilitators with kindness and dignity. Maintain a productive environment, whether you are receiving intensive tutoring, participating in a club activity, or completing quiet study.

• Rise with Resilience: Use intervention time as a growth opportunity. Engage actively with teachers, paraprofessionals, or peer tutors to overcome academic hurdles and strengthen your understanding.

Priority Scheduling & Intervention Assignments

To ensure every student gets the exact support they need, Flex Hour placements are prioritized in the following order:

1. Specialized Support: Students who have an IEP will work with the Resource Staff to work on their IEP Goals. Students who have English as a Second Language with Mrs. Thompson will work with her.

2. Required Academic & Behavioral Interventions (Mandatory): Students who have missing assignments or failing grades (F) will be assigned to Homeworkhall Flex. Students who need targeted re-teaching in core subjects (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies) will be assigned to an academic intervention group. Attendance in required intervention sessions takes precedence over all enrichment activities.

3. Small Group Interventions: Students scheduled for small-group guidance, social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons, or meetings with the School Counselor or School-Based Therapist staff will report to their designated support session.

4. Student Choice & Enrichment Activities: Students who are up to date on all coursework, maintaining satisfactory citizenship, and not assigned to a mandatory intervention may choose from a menu of enrichment offerings. Options may include:

   • Quiet study and independent reading space.

   • Interest-based mini-courses or clubs (e.g., STEM, art extensions, leadership).

   • Music practice or ensemble extensions coordinated with music staff.

   • Physical wellness or movement activities supervised by staff.

Attendance & Citizenship

• Attendance Tracking: Attendance is taken every period during Flex Hour. Unexcused absences or truancy during Flex Hour will result in disciplinary action (including potential lunch detention or citizenship mark reductions) in alignment with standard school attendance policies.

• Citizenship: Participation in preferred enrichment activities or student-choice options during Flex Hour is a privilege. Students who fail to follow conduct guidelines or who fall onto the provisional/restricted citizenship lists may lose choice privileges and be assigned to structured study hall or

Substitute Policy & Guidelines for Flex Hour

During Flex Hour, substitutes will facilitate engaging, student-selected Enrichment & Extension activities.

Core Objectives for Substitutes

• Provide Supervision & Safety: Ensure all 7th and 8th-grade students remain in their assigned designated space for the entire period.

• Facilitate Enrichment: Support students in engaging in approved enrichment/club activities.

• Maintain Thunderbird S.O.A.R. Expectations: Uphold school standards for Safety, Ownership, Respect, and Resilience throughout the session.

Substitute Responsibilities

1. Attendance & Verification

• Take Attendance Immediately: Mark attendance at the start of the period in the SIS system.

• Verify Rosters: Ensure students attending your assigned room are on your provided Flex roster by referencing the provided roster.

2. Activity Facilitation

• Approved Enrichment Options: Substitutes get to pick what they'd like to do with their students!

  • Board Games/non computergames like 7-Up, Silent Ball, or Hangman (ask the office for some)

  • A walk round the track

  • Homework help

  • Got an idea? Just clear it with the front office!

• No Core Instruction: Substitutes in enrichment sections are not required to teach new core academic content during Flex Hour.

3. Classroom & Behavior Management

• Ensure students stay in the room for the full length of the Flex Hour period unless they have an official hall pass.

• Remind students that choice/enrichment participation is a privilege that depends on maintaining positive citizenship.

• Log any minor behavioral issues or report major disruptions to the administration or main office.