OMAHA, Neb. — Two Omaha high schools will begin using a modified block schedule starting next school year.
Omaha Public Schools notified parents at Central and Westview high schools that the campuses will pilot the new schedule. On certain days, students will attend four longer class periods instead of the usual eight, with an increased focus on reading and writing.
Chelsey Gentry-Tipton, who has twin sophomores at Central, said the current schedule has been challenging for her son.
“My son is on the autism spectrum, and I think having A-B days have been really hard for him, just to stay focused from having a break in between the two days,” she said.
District officials said the updated schedule will help students stay on track, especially when disruptions occur.
“If we have an inclement weather day or something, you might not see your teacher that week because of how the schedule works, because it’s every other day for classes. This would ensure that you are seeing your teacher more frequently,” an OPS administrator said.
Gentry-Tipton said more consistent interaction with teachers would benefit her son and others.
“I think it’s important, especially for kids like him who have IEPs, that they do have daily meetings with their teachers,” she said.
The district previously tested the modified schedule at a middle school before expanding the pilot program to the two high schools.
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