From the Superintendent's Desk
Talking about the Split Calendar
By Kelly Reisig
During the January 21, 2008 board of education meeting, the board approved a start date of September 2 for students in grades K-8 while keeping high school students on a start date of August 18 which corresponds with the current school calendar. There were several issues the board considered when adopting the split start date.
The first issue is the heat during the traditional first two weeks of school. Previously, elementary and middle school students were released at 1:30 p.m. for the first two weeks because afternoon temperatures in the classrooms were unbearable. Asking students to concentrate in temperatures of 97 or higher is not in the student’s best interest. By moving the start date back two weeks for elementary and middle school students, we are addressing the heat issue and are eliminating the early release and disruption it causes the first two weeks of school. Since the high school is air conditioned, classes can begin at any time and not be affected by the heat.
Second, the board approved updating the ventilation and heating systems that will also add air conditioning to the four elementary schools. The architect informed the board that by starting elementary students two weeks later (September 2), it will allow construction to be complete by the beginning of school without interrupting the instructional process. The architect indicated it would be almost impossible to complete the upgrades prior to school beginning on August 18, 2008.
Some wonder why the district is maintaining the traditional start date for high school students. Scottsbluff High School has a number of students taking college courses, either through WNCC or on-line. To finish the semester with colleges at Christmas time, we must start at the traditional time of mid-August. Fall activities, set by the Nebraska School Activities Association, begin the middle of August. Over 300 students or 1/3 of Scottsbluff High School students will begin participation in the fall sports season by the middle of August.
The end date for all students will be May 21st, 2009. Minor modifications will be made to the elementary schedule so the required number of instructional hours set by the state will be met. Since the middle school schedule far exceeded the hours required, no modifications will need to be made there.
These changes to the calendar may only affect the 2008-2009 school year. If construction on the four elementary buildings can not be completed in one summer, the board will need to decide on the best calendar option for the students for the 2009-10 school year.
