Calendar Committee 4-Day Week

Outline

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Overview Discussion of four major impact areas

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Education Finance Extracurricular Activities Community Issues Implementation Issues

Education

 Pro      Student drop-out rates, disciplinary referrals, and attendance improves • Student achievement not affected Teacher attendance improves; decreases need for substitute teachers • benefit from less interrupted class time Improvement in morale of students and teachers  Con    Four-day week appears to run counter to the increased emphasis on more, not less, time in school Number of instructional hours is the same, but negative reaction to the concept of 149.5 days of school Long school days might not be as attractive for younger students as it for older students

Education

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Pro

 Improved teacher recruitment/retention   Faculty has more time for quality staff development (5 th day) More time for extracurricular activities and personal business 

Con

 A lost day is 20% longer day than a six-hour day  Potential for fatigue from longer school day

Finance

 Pro    Utility savings can be expected to range from 3.5% to 25% Wear/tear on buildings can be reduced Transportation savings range from 10% to 23%  Variable food service costs can be reduced by approximately 20%  Con    Some on 4-day have not realized the hoped-for financial benefits When school building used on the extra day, utility savings decreased correspondingly Transportation savings are usually due to reduction in wages of lowest paid workers

Extracurricular Activities

 Pro    Increased time for participation in extracurricular activates Schedule events on off day Provides for tutoring and enrichment on off-day  Increased opportunities to enjoy local activities  Con    Some Tues/Thurs activities cannot be avoided Helps if other schools on 4-day for certain activities Limits number of programs that can be offered (band, drama, knowledge bowl)

Extracurricular Activities

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Pro

 Friday off helps with time lost due to Thursday activities; not late for school; get HW from teachers when leaving on Thursday 

Con

 Reduced participation in activities ? (>50%)   Students “forced” to decided between certain activities Longer days due to practice (of any form)

Community Issues

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Pro

 Students have more time for part time jobs and family  Entrepreneurial opportunities for students and community 

Con

 Community perception that teachers work less    Cost to community of child care Potential for “loitering” on off day Concerns about free/reduced lunch

Community Issues

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Pro

 Parents see positive opportunities for family activities  Boys and Girls Club willing to help (within limitations of space, staffing, programming, fees) 

Con

 Where both parents working & children of elementary age, 4 day week viewed negatively  Space, staffing, programming, and fee issues for Boys and Girls Club

Implementation Issues

      Take a measured, long-term approach to implementation Very carefully plan communications with the stakeholder community Often public pushback on the initial approval of a four-day schedule; once implemented districts surprised by the level of public support Severely restrict or eliminate transportation for activities or programs not conducted on regular school days Do not become complacent when watching costs Most schools take Friday off; recommend Monday, however