CAMDEN FAIRVIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

Early Out Wednesdays 2022-2023

CFSD

The district conducted a survey last school year to ask district parents and staff if they agreed that building in time for educators to work on improving classroom instruction and student outcomes will help strengthen learning processes. Out of 240 responses, 68.3% agreed, 24.6% were neutral and 7.1% disagreed.

See survey results and comments here.

SCHOOL	INSTRUCTIONAL DAY	EARLY OUT WEDNESDAY DISMISSAL
FES	7:55AM – 2:55PM	1:55PM
Ivory Intermediate	8:00AM -3:15PM	2:15PM
CFMS	8:00AM - 3:20PM	2:20PM
CFHS	8:00AM - 3:19PM	2:19PM

CFSD learns

Beginning September 7, 2022, Camden Fairview students will be dismissed one hour early every Wednesday to allow all district teachers additional time for professional development. Buses will run their normal routes at the one-hour early dismissal time, and CFSD will provide a no-cost childcare option at Fairview Elementary School and Ivory Intermediate School for K-5 families who need childcare until the regular dismissal time.

Educators will use the Early Out Wednesdays additional time to engage in the instructional processes of a Professional Learning Community, curriculum planning, and receiving guidance on strengthening learning outcomes. District administration will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the additional time through multiple means, including teacher observation data, student interim assessment data, and common formative assessment data. This process will better equip Camden Fairview teachers to provide higher quality instruction and gain a stronger understanding of Tier I and Tier II instruction.

“Students benefit when teachers are given the time and resources to collaborate,” said Superintendent Johnny Embry. “This provides teachers something they have wanted for years, which is the opportunity for them to work collectively to respond to students’ needs.”

In April, the CFSD School Board approved Early Out Wednesdays for the 2022-2023 school year, and the district received approval from the Arkansas Department of Education this summer. CFSD leadership teams strongly believe that this additional time will enhance student learning opportunities, promote innovation, and increase students’ access to effective teachers.

The length of teacher contract days will not change as part of Early Out Wednesdays, and Camden Fairview will continue to meet the instructional time requirements set forth by the Arkansas Department of Education.

The district conducted a survey last school year to ask district parents and staff if they agreed that building in time for educators to work on improving classroom instruction and student outcomes will help strengthen learning processes. Out of 240 responses, 68.3% agreed, 24.6% were neutral and 7.1% disagreed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of Early Out Wednesdays?

a. Our leadership teams strongly believe that this additional time will enhance student learning opportunities, promote innovation, and increase access to effective teachers.

b. Teachers will use the additional time to engage in ongoing professional development that will lead to a direct impact on student achievement.

c. Families may be able to use Early Out Wednesdays to schedule medical, dental, or other appointments without missing out on instructional time.

How will we know Early Out Wednesdays are helping students?

a. District administration will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Early Out Wednesdays PD. We’ll monitor teacher observation data, student interim assessment data, and common formative assessment data and use that data to inform and adjust Early Out Wednesdays PD focus areas.

Who will create the agenda for the Early Out Wednesday Professional Development time?

a. The district will create the framework and each building team will create their agenda following a PLC model. District and building administrators will ensure protocols are in place to make this time an effective and efficient use of educators’ time.

Will Early Out Wednesdays allow teachers to increase their time in the classroom and decrease time spent in training and meetings during the school day?

a. Our goal is to use Early Out Wednesdays to provide training and support so that instructional time is maximized on other days. Other district trainings and meetings will be scheduled to minimize the time teachers are out of the classroom.

Why not Early Out Fridays instead of Early Out Wednesdays?

a. District administration carefully considered dismissing early on Fridays, when many district parents/guardians are off work due to their employers’ Monday-Thursday work schedule. While that was an important consideration, administrators ultimately decided that Early Out Wednesdays, with free childcare provided, would lead to higher student attendance on Early Out days and increased instructional time for students.

Can teachers’ children stay at school with their parents?

a. Free childcare for students K-5 will be available at FES and Ivory Intermediate for all students, including teachers’ children. Teachers who believe they may need other accommodations for their children should contact their building principal.

As an employee, what if I schedule an appointment during Early Out Wednesdays PD?

a. Early Out Wednesdays PD is part of your contracted work day. If you have to miss due to a scheduled appointment, it will be treated like an absence on a normal dismissal day.

Where will my child go at the end of the day on Wednesdays?

a. Families may pick up their student(s) and buses will run their normal routes at the Early Out Wednesdays dismissal time.

b. CFSD will provide a no-cost childcare option at Fairview Elementary School and Ivory Intermediate School for K-5 families who need childcare until the regular dismissal time.