Giving purpose to the 10 a.m. dismissal last day of school, Move Up Day, which takes place on June 9 this year, was created to allow students and teachers to preview their following year’s schedule.
According to Assistant Principal Bill Coddington, who came up with the concept, Move-Up Day serves as an opportunity for students to meet their teachers for the next school year and become familiar with the course.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to give meaning to days,” Coddington said. “There was nothing left going on in the classroom, so we thought ‘what’s something that could actually give some meaning to this last day?’”
Several AP courses include summer assignments that are handed out on Move-Up Day to be completed before the first day of classes in the fall.
“A lot of kids take AP classes. Here’s an opportunity to meet that teacher, possibly even get some work,” Coddington said. “You kind of know [your assignment] going out of here.”
For social studies coordinator Jennifer Reed-Duka, who teaches AP U.S. History, it is very important for AP students taking her course in the fall to attend Move-Up Day to hear the explanation of their summer assignment, in detail, firsthand.
“I think it’s very beneficial for them to be here: to be able to do that, ask questions, and actually hear it rather than just reading about it,” Duka said.
According to junior Lillian Lorenc, being present for the explanation of AP summer work really does make a difference.
“I feel like looking at the document without knowing what the teacher actually wants,” Lorenc said, “is very different than looking at the document after listening to the teacher read through the explanation and knowing what they actually want from it.”
Duka agrees. “[It’s also beneficial] just to kind of see me, see the classroom, and what the AP environment’s going to look like, so that they’re ready for next year,” Duka said.
Duka uses this time to begin making connections with her students in the academic level courses she teaches as well.
“For my other classes, I just introduced myself. We talk about what they’re going to do for the summer,” Duka said.
Lorenc appreciates the “personal comfort” Move-Up Day provides, as well.
“You’ll be able to get the vibe for what the class is going to feel like, so you can mentally prepare yourself for the next school year,” Lorenc said.
World language coordinator Christine Yardley utilizes Move-Up Day to “set the tone for the following year and get excited.”
“I try to talk about what our goals are for the class, and then I try to encourage students to do something related,” Yardley said. “I teach languages, so, for Spanish or French, I tell students ways that they can use their language over the summer.”
According to Yardley, one year, a student sparked interest for her Spanish four class just from Move-Up Day alone.
“I had students come in,” Yardley said. “One of their friends had a study hall, so he said, ‘Oh, I have nothing to do because I have a study hall [during] this block. Can I come in?’ He ended up signing up for the class.”