FAQs - Rotating Drop Block Schedule

The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District is proposing to launch a new daily bell schedule in September 2025. This new schedule will be a Rotating Drop Block Schedule, designed to offer significant benefits for both general education and special education students.

The Rotating Block Schedule enhances learning by allowing students to attend classes at different times of day, which better supports the diverse learning, focus, and attentional needs and preferences of our students. It helps reduce the impact of class absences by spreading missed time across different courses, preventing quick loss of credit. Furthermore, it provides extended instructional time within the classroom, allowing teachers to delve deeper into Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives and reduce learning gaps. It also fosters consistency and predictability, aiding students with executive functioning skills, and reduces homework burden by having fewer classes each day.

The common lunch period offers a truly great benefit for special education students. It provides a longer midday pause, allowing students to reset and re-energize for the second half of the day. It also facilitates access to peers and other support services.  Additionally, it promotes inclusive club participation, as students can join extracurricular activities with existing staff support during the academic day, removing barriers that might exist for after-school programs.

The Rotating Block Schedule significantly reduces transitions throughout the day, which can be challenging for some students due to sensory overload in crowded hallways. It increases flexibility for support and pull-out services (like speech, physical, or occupational therapy), as missed class time due to these services will be spread across different classes, minimizing instructional gaps in a single subject. It also provides more time for extensions and real world applications allowing for the completion of practical tasks in a single sitting, and offers longer periods for counseling and emotional support, helping students regulate before returning to class.

Yes, part-time, out-of-district learning experiences will be maintained and supported through specialized scheduling within the new Rotating Drop Block Schedule. The district acknowledges that many other districts using similar schedules have exemplary models for student continuity with partnerships involving technical schools, employers, and part-time participation in out-of-district programs. Each partnership will receive unique attention to ensure alignment with programming and support student needs like lunch and transportation.

The common lunch period acts as a consistent, mid-day pause, allowing students with emotional or sensory regulation needs to recharge. Furthermore, the longer, rotating periods in specialized programs offer increased flexibility for crisis or emotional support. This allows mental health professionals to address crises or provide emotional support for longer periods without students missing entire class sessions, fostering a calm and supportive environment.
 

The Rotating Block Schedule will allow for improved time for collaboration and co-teaching. Specifically for ICR (In-Class Resource) programming, it provides opportunities for co-teachers and paraprofessionals to collaborate more effectively and have better and more planning time within their day, which is crucial for tailoring lessons to meet individual student needs.

Special education families who have questions about how block scheduling may affect their child and their current IEP or programming are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Mauriello's office for a one-on-one conversation to discuss the direct program's effects.