Great News…
We are Expanding Learning Opportunities For Our Students
A Message For Parents
During the last few years, as a staff, we have been asking ourselves, “how can we best support our
students? How can we increase student engagement? How can we help our students acquire the
skills and competencies that will prepare them for the 21st century? We’ve also been engaging
with our students and their message has been loud and clear. Our students are telling us that they
need:
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More choice
More ownership of their learning
Opportunities to further their own passions and /or exploring new areas of interest
Diverse support for their learning
Increased opportunities to practically apply their learning
Increased involvement and connection to careers and community
After much discussion and planning (including visiting other secondary schools) the staff at
Timberline have designed a strategy to address these needs. We are calling this FLEX time.
What is FLEX time?
Flex is a period of time that staff will use to assist students outside of regular class structure but
during part of the school day. The purpose of Flex time is to allow Timberline staff to be more
creative, and successful in meeting some of the challenges that our students face in our modern
fast paced world. Timberline’s Flex program has been designed around the needs of students, and
grounded in a belief that when students have active involvement in their education, coupled with
the ability to make choices in their education, the result will be a more balanced, rewarding and
successful educational process.
A more flexible school schedule will allow:
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More students to have better access to instruction
A chance each week for either support or enrichment resulting in increased
student success
Development of skills and competencies necessary to make choices around one’s
education which has a positive correlation to successful post-secondary and future
employment opportunities
We believe the Flex time will have significant benefits for many of our students as many of them
have non-academic responsibilities after school (work, family, extra-curricular sports) that prevent
them from establishing regular evening routines which support their learning. We also recognize
that some students and families may choose to support student learning at home on Wednesday
afternoons while students complete on-line courses, projects, homework, work-placements, etc.
Flex time gives students and families more choices about how to best support and enhance
student learning.
How will FLEX time be used?
The Flex blocks will be used to support student learning, improve academic achievement, assist
with post-secondary school planning, promote student wellness, and develop a greater sense of
school community. What your student could be doing during flex time:
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Academic tutorials and supports (English, Social Studies, Mathematics and Sciences). A
learning commons area for each of these academic core areas will be staffed with
teachers and educational assistants to support learning. This will increase small group
instruction and one-on-one opportunities for students.
Advanced Placement enrichment opportunities (e.g. enriched Science lab experiments)
Scholarship information sessions and tutorials
Post-secondary and career seminars and ‘one to one’ counselling appointments
Wellness activities & opportunities to learn new skills (teachers and community
members will offer various workshops throughout the year, i.e. bike maintenance, app
development team, etc.)
School wide assemblies to recognize student accomplishments
Opportunities for project completion/support
Increased support and access to online courses
Enhanced capacity for community/school partnerships. This is a natural opportunity for
increased field trips, etc. while also creating meaningful opportunities for community
participation at school.
Test center-area dedicated to support students who have missed or are redoing an
assessment
A public list of enrichment opportunities will be published weekly on our website for
parents and students to view
Workshops resulting in certification for use on resumes or post-secondary applications.
How can I as a parent support my child in this new learning opportunity?
 Review flex-time support and enrichment opportunities with your son/daughter each
week
 If you are interested in contributing a workshop/lessons/or presenting about your
career please contact the school
 Encourage your son/daughter to take advantage of the learning opportunities
 Provide feedback to help us refine flex-time
 Encourage your son/daughter to try something new or pursue an existing passion
 Respond to our Flex time feedback opportunities throughout the year to help us refine
it
How will students choose what they do in Flex time?
 Each week students will work with the A block teacher to review options and plan
accordingly
 These options will be available for public viewing on our website so parents can also
have meaningful discussions at home regarding student choice
Does Flex blocks count towards graduation?
 If students take an on-line course, or pursue an independent directed studies
course they will earn credit towards graduation
 There will be multiple opportunities to pursue various certifications that will not
count as graduation credit, but will be beneficial for work or post-secondary
applications
How do I know if it is okay that my child is at home?
 We will have a work at home form for those families that prefer the flexibility of
supporting their child’s learning at home. Without one of those forms it is the
expectation that students will remain at school
 There has been an increasing trend of adolescents with significant anxiety. For
some students the opportunity to work at home without the social demands of
learning in a group will be advantageous
As we prepare to introduce this new schedule in October, we are working hard to ensure a smooth
transition for staff and students. We will reflect on and evaluate our progress over the course of
the year, and make any changes necessary to ensure student success. With the introduction of
Flex time at Timberline it is our belief that our students will not only be well prepared for the new
curriculum that will be implemented in September, 2017, but will also have the confidence and
tools that they need no matter what direction they choose to pursue once they have graduated.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact the school.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jeremy Morrow
Principal