Half-Day Release Wednesday FAQ

2019-2020

What time is release? Is it the same as a half day?
Yes, for half-day release and other half days, dismissal is at 12:30.

Why do we offer half-day release every Wednesday?
The half-day release Wednesday is used for faculty professional development. Many in-service opportunities have been planned for the teachers including classes on improving reading comprehension in all grades, using manipulatives in Singapore Math, Close Reading, various pedagogical practices, and Love and Logic. We have also planned some seminars for the teachers around the Great Ideas and various curricular topics. Many families find half-day release an ideal time to book dentist and doctor visits so the student does not have to miss much school.

What will the students miss out on with fewer minutes of instruction?
The students will have approximately 40 minutes less instruction per month in Art, Music PE, and Spanish. The students will continue to have these subjects twice a week and each one for a third time, every other week. Quantity does not always equal quality, however. Our teachers always make maximum use of time in the classroom. Further faculty development helps us nurture best teaching practices to maintain and increase our classroom efficiency.

What are our options for half-day release days?
Families have two options: You may pick up your student at 12:30, or you may enroll your student in an after school program for a fee. We have reviewed and worked with vendors and faculty members to create affordable options to enrich your child’s afternoon. Payment for clubs must be made ahead of time. Students are not allowed to attend clubs without payment.  Each club is paid for separately – you must sign your student up for athletics and one Study Club Session, two athletics, two clubs, two Study Club sessions, or one club and one Study Club session in order to keep your child at the school until the end of the school day.

Will Athenaeum be available at 12:30 on Wednesdays?
If you have enrolled your child in our after school program, the Athenaeum, the program facilitators will come and get your student at 12:30. As always, they will have activities planned. You can also enroll in the Athenaeum for just Wednesdays. Please see the Athenaeum brochure online.

What other activities will be available?
Please refer to the Wednesday Clubs Page in order to choose clubs for your child.  Be sure to plan for every Wednesday of the school year.

What do students do in Study Club?
Students will do their homework in Study Club and be supervised by a teaching assistant. The teaching assistant will be available to help students, but cannot offer individual tutoring. Activities will be provided for students who have finished their homework, such as visiting the library or playing educational games.

What time should I pick up my child?
Your child should be picked up promptly by their normal pick up time at their normal pick up location. You may pick them up early, if you wish. If your child has not been picked up by 4:00, you will incur a fine, just as on other weekdays. If you do not pick up your child by 4:05 and you have not arranged for your child to attend a club, you also may be charged a late pickup fee.  You may pick up your child after the first club session (2:10pm) or after the second club session (3:20pm).

No matter what your plans are, please make sure you communicate those plans to your child every week. Have the conversation with them a few days before, remind them throughout the week about those plans, and make sure they get a final reminder as they leave the car on Wednesday morning. If your plans change, please make sure both your child and your child’s teacher are notified.