In one cluster, an interdisciplinary unit on homelessness grew into a community service project for the entire school. At the cluster's initiative, the school formed a partnership with a nearby homeless shelter. Common planning time. Within clusters, teachers share 30 to 45 minutes a day to plan interdisciplinary units, discuss student progress, and meet parents. This planning time reduces teachers' sense of isolation and increases their sense of professionalism.
Teachers also meet after school for additional planning.
Clusters provide a group identity for students. Each cluster has its own bulletin board filled with students' honor roll lists, upcoming events, and student council elections. Clusters sponsor their own programs, host field trips, and compete with other clusters in community service activities. One cluster set up mailboxes for teachers and students in the hallway so cluster members could leave supportive letters for each other. Teachers agree that clusters foster a sense of school pride for teachers and students.