PERSONAL | PASSIONATE | PROGRESSIVE

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY

Hello Red Knight Families.

We hope you and your families are well and staying safe during this uncertain time. While we would much rather see our students in
person, the transition to Distance Learning has been smooth overall and we want to thank you for the amazing support you are giving
your students and our educators.

While COVID-19 has been our primary focus over the last few weeks, we are starting to revisit and make decisions on other topics
surrounding your child’s education. One of those is next year’s schedule. As the Superintendent, it is my job to make sure that we are
doing everything in our power to ensure that students are receiving the best education possible in order to reach their highest personal
potentials and compete in a global economy.

During the summer of the 2019-20 school year, we reviewed the achievement and growth of every school in our District. Part of that
review process included a comparison of our District against the Big 10 Districts in the state (Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Lee,
Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Polk) as well as Collier and Charlotte.

That data prompted us to look at several systems we currently have in place: class time, schedules, academic plans and teacher contact
time with students. Through this evaluation we learned that Lee County was the only district compared to the Big 10 that had a 6-hour
and 30-minute day for students. All the other Districts’ student days were longer. In addition, we learned that teachers in our current high
school schedule (4x4) are in contact with students only 56% of their workday, compared to 75% in our elementary schools and 62% in our
middle schools. Increased teacher contact time is a proven component of student success.

Based on that research and input from students, families, faculty and administrators, North Fort Myers High School will move to a 6-hour
and 45-minute day for the 2020-21 school year to put students on a more even academic playing field. In addition, we will be instituting a
7-period day (49 minutes per class), rather than the 4x4 block, starting in the fall. Adding 15 minutes and moving to a 7-period day will
increase teacher/student contact time to from 56% to 65%. It will add an additional 1,260 minutes of instruction per class, or the
equivalent of 26 instructional days.

While we know change is hard, we believe that these moves are in the best interests of all our students. On page two of this letter are
answers to some frequently asked questions. If you have further questions, please send them to Debbie Diggs at
debbieldi@leeschools.net and we will work through them.

We appreciate all you are doing to support your students and hope to see them back as soon as it is safely possible. In the meantime,
please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Thank you so much; stay safe.

Debbie Diggs
Greg Adkins, Ed.D. Debbie Diggs
Superintendent Principal
 PERSONAL | PASSIONATE | PROGRESSIVE

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY

Will advanced program (International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced International Certificate

of Education (AICE) students have elective options on a 7-period day?
Yes.

For students participating in the IB program, there are several options available that allow a student to maintain an elective
in both his/her Junior and Senior years of high school. A student may take and test one or two standard level (SL) courses
during his/her junior year while taking Theory of Knowledge as a seminar course. This option affords a student one elective
during his/her Junior year and then one or two electives during the Senior year.

For students participating in the AICE program, there is additional flexibility as students have 25 months to meet all the
requirements. Students will have several options made available to them that allow them to both complete their coursework
by either the end of their Junior or Senior year while maintaining anywhere from one to three electives.

In addition, students may extend their elective opportunities by enrolling in virtual courses while maintaining a full academic
schedule.

How does a 7-period day impact The Center for the Arts students?
The 7-period day may lead to the loss of some electives; however, offering additional virtual options for all students to take
outside the school day will open space in their schedule for elective courses.

How does a 7-period day impact career and technical academies?

Students will continue to have career and technical academy options. Rita Davis, the Director of Career and Technical
Education, has been involved in the schedule discussions and will work with the high schools as they transition to the new
schedule.

How does a 7-period day impact Dual Enrollment opportunities?

Dual Enrollment is flexible regardless of the schedule and The School District of Lee County will continue to support Dual
Enrollment opportunities.

Will students have additional homework moving to a 7-period day?

The 7-period schedule will have one less class than our current 4 by 4 schedule so there should be less overall homework.

What is the impact on participation in athletic programs and after school activities?
Students will still be able to participate in athletic and after school activities.

Who was included in the decision-making process?

Stakeholder input regarding schedule changes was collected through a community forum, leadership meetings at each high
school, faculty meetings at each high school, social media platforms, and a School Board Briefing and Workshop. Students,
families, and staff were encouraged to offer input to principals which was shared during principal meetings. In addition,
each high school principal also met individually with Superintendent Dr. Adkins, Chief Academic Officer Dr. Spiro, and
Executive Director Clayton Simmons.