What a strang idea. I guess if you have the money to buy an extra set of books, then it works, but not in our district. The lockers are small. They barely hold a coat, which is not allowed in class. But who wears them anyways! It's just not cool! Our kids are allowed to go to their lockers only at specific times. So they end up carrying about 3 books and their binder with them.

As for the bells, I would have to agree with the whole concept of being synchronized.

It's supposed to be a quieter, calmer environment that allows the kids a better opportunity to focus. The no lockers cuts down noise, but - more importantly - limits hallway confrontations and socializing that leads to tardies.

We're midway thru week two. If my kids and I were ever home at the same time during waking hours, maybe I could get some feedback. Oh well - soon.

I'll keep you posted.

Did they say what the rationale behind all this is? I think the no bell thing would just bring on problems no school has all there clocks set at the same exact time.
Did they say what the other schools accomplished using these methods? I know the "old" method we did in school with the bells and lockers is sometimes time consuming, but what exactly are they trying to accomplish without having it?

Cindy

We have No Bells and No Lockers! Been that way since 1967! Kids that change classes on their own( middle school) it is their responsibility to go from class to class when released.

Does it help them? I think so, the children are more aware of how much time they have between classes(constantly check their watches) It makes them accountable for their time management with no bells and warning bells.

The locker issue? A copy of the book at home and a copy of the book at school in the classsroom they use it in(No lugging the book around all day!) If there is only one copy of the book it only leaves at the end of the day to go home and is returned in AM and is not carried around all day.

We have a no locker policy as well as a no backpack policy. We are very limited in space.

The kids bring home one set of books and there is a set of books in the classroom, so there is no need to carry books around.

They are allowed to carry binders.

The bell thing just doesn't seem like it would work, though.

My daughter's locker is smaller than....it's small, so she does carry most of her books with her but what we (you know those moms that go to meetings in full super mommy gear ) fully armed with a scale and a full back back weighted it in front of the Board and asked how they felt this was a good choice. I think one mom even brought her daughter's physical therapy bill.

The bell...don't understand that one but if it's to save money...

The kids now have lockers and they are encouraged to keep from slamming the door and in the winter some of the teachers allow kids to hang their coats in their first hour class and this hallway is honestly much colder....wait...you child wears a coat?! mine still swears it's not near as cold here as it was in Des MOines so she wears a heavier sweatshirt and long sleeve-tee. ugh....

sorry Joy, didn't mean to go on and on! May the force be with ya! In the meantime, we purchased an actual backpacking backpack for our gal. It offers better back support and can handle the weight up 100lbs much better. Yeah, I spend some bucks on it but haven't have to replace it yet! YET!