What is Excel Time?
- Excel Time is our schoolwide intervention program here at WHS that allows teachers to reteach and help those students who have not mastered the essential skills of a particular course.
- During Excel Time, some students are requested to work with specific teachers and others are able to choose from an offering of academic enrichments.
- Every student has a place to go during Excel Time, and every student is required to attend.
- Excel Time, like every other class period on a student’s schedule, does fall under our school’s attendance policy, meaning students can earn a UA citizenship grade for missing Excel Time.
Why do we have Excel Time?
- There are some things that every student needs to know before leaving WHS. And, while class time does allow for teaching, learning, and enrichment, we know not every student masters a concept the first time. There needs to be additional time built into the schedule to reteach the essentials.
When does Excel Time take place?
- Excel Time takes place every Wednesday and Thursday between 1st and 2nd periods.
What is an Excel Time session?
- “Sessions” are the classes students attend during Excel Time. Every teacher in the building offers an Excel Time session of some sort for students. And, students then sign-up or register for their Excel Time sessions every Tuesday.
What is the difference between a closed and open session?
- Closed sessions are specifically for those students who were previously assigned to attend. Teachers determine the topics or essentials covered in a closed session, and they also determine which students need to be there. Only assigned students can attend a closed session.
- Open sessions are open to any student that was not previously assigned to a closed session. (Note: Some open sessions, due to safety reasons and students needing to know how to work with specific equipment, might be limited to students enrolled in specific courses, ie: Open sessions held in the wood shop or metal shop.)
How will students be assigned to Closed Sessions?
- Teachers will assign students to closed sessions based on a student’s performance in their class and whether or not they have mastered specific skills and standards.
- All students will receive an email from RTI Scheduler on Tuesday mornings. The email prompts students to login and view their assigned closed sessions and/or prompts them to register for an open session of their choosing.
How will students register for open sessions?
- If a student is not requested for a closed session on one or both days for that week, they will see a link in their email allowing them to choose the open session(s) they will attend. Students can also go to the RTI Scheduler website directly to login and select their classes.
- These sessions are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. As sessions fill, they will drop off the list of available open sessions.
- Time will be given at the end of second period during our schoolwide announcements for students to register for Excel Time.
- But, students can register on their own starting before school Tuesday morning and up until 2:30 PM that day, when registration closes.
- Pay attention to the description of each open session. Some open sessions, ie: those taking place in the woodshop or metal shop, might have a requirement that students already be safety certified or be enrolled in a specific course in order to register.
Will attendance be taken during Excel Time?
- Yes, Excel Time attendance will be monitored.
- Attendance will be recorded in SIS in the student’s G/8 and B/8 classes.
Is Excel Time mandatory for Seniors?
- Yes, participation in Excel Time is expected for all students who have a class scheduled for 2nd period.
Is there a grade attached to Excel Time Sessions?
- No, there are no grades attached specifically to Excel Time sessions, but students will receive UAs for this course according to the school attendance policy.
- Closed sessions and select open sessions can help students perform better in their regularly scheduled classes, which is why attendance is mandatory.
Where do students go when they have questions about Excel Time?
- Excel Time is a schoolwide program. Students should be able to ask any teacher on campus and receive an answer as to how Excel Time works and functions.
- Students are also welcome to stop by the library and chat with Erin Heywood, our school’s Excel Time Coordinator. Or, they can reach out to Matthew Sproul, the vice principal over Excel Time.