New this year, Pittsford Schools has implemented flexible learning days, called WIN days, for its high school students. WIN is an acronym that stands for "What I Need." Parents and teachers know the school day can be busy for students, usually followed by after school extracurricular activities. The goal of WIN Days is to provide each student a little extra time each week to engage in learning based on their individual needs.
“We’ve been looking at WIN days in several different ways for several years trying to find time to support students within our school day,” explained Laura Hefner, Assistant Principal at Mendon High School. “This year for the first time we’ve been able to do it every week on Wednesdays. The students have an opportunity to do whatever they need during that period.”
On WIN days, normal schedules are shortened to give students a 30-minute period where they may choose to work on homework or group projects, access special services, visit a guidance counselor, seek academic support from a teacher, or whatever the student may need on that given day.
“I only have one free period a week, sometimes I don’t even have any, so this is like really helpful,” said eleventh grader Carolyn Knickerbocker as she works on a group project for her English class with another student. She explained that if she didn’t have this time during the WIN period, she would have to find time to work on it outside of school hours.
Many schools across the nation are experiencing the benefits of flex time which include higher student achievement and fewer disciplinary issues. Every student is unique and so are their needs, which is why Pittsford Schools is proud to foster a culture of personalized learning in support of student success.