Wednesday, February 27, 2002
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Wednesday, February 27, 2002 |
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Shorter summers ahead? Of 2 school calendars, likely winner gives more breaks during year By DAVE HAMRICK
Two proposed "balanced" calendars for Fayette County schools' 2003-04 school year are now "on the table." Developed by a special staff committee, the calendars created a stir last month when schools circulated them for parental comment. During Monday's Board of Education meeting, board members discussed the proposals and put them on the table for a vote March 18. School board officials say both calendars are in keeping with recent trends toward a balanced approach to the school year, with less time off for summer vacation than once was the norm, but more time off during the school year. But some parents object to that idea, saying it's hard on parents to arrange baby-sitting or time off when school vacation is split up like that. Some also accused the board of moving toward year-round school. "The idea is to move away from the old agrarian calendar," admitted assistant Superintendent Stuart Bennett, but he said there's no plan to go completely to year-round school. Actually, he said, of the two proposed calendars, only one actually shortens the current summer vacation. Under option two, classes start the second Monday in August, Aug. 11, the same as this year and next. Students report a week earlier, Aug. 4, under option one. In responding to requests for input on the calendars, parents at 13 schools and faculty at 21 schools favor option one, according to a tally presented by the staff committee that developed the two options. Faculty at one school favored option two, along with parents at two schools. A few schools' comments were evenly split. But many parents have also commented negatively on both proposals. "We've received a good bit of input," said Bennett. "The teachers have been very positive. Nine of ten have been in favor" of the proposals, Bennett told The Citizen last month. "But we're getting some negative [comments] from the community." Juliette Babb, who headed the faculty committee that developed the calendars, said it has been several years since local school systems started moving away from the old system of starting school after labor day, and they did it in response to changes in college calendars. "Colleges went on the semester system," she said, "and if you didn't finish [local school semesters] by Christmas, those who wanted to enter college the second semester couldn't do it." In addition to starting school a week earlier or later, the main difference between the two proposals is that option one provides a full week off at Thanksgiving, whereas option two uses some of that time for a longer spring break and days off for Veterans Day and staff development. Schools have received "extremely positive" comments about the extra time off at Thanksgiving, Babb said. She said having more breaks during the school year will allow time for remediation so students who are struggling don't have to wait until summer school to catch up. And there will be time for "acceleration" as well, for special programs for gifted students, she said. The calendar proposals are available at the Board of Education office as well as in local schools.
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