Hot Topic

Should school start after Labor Day to avoid the heat-induced problems faced this year?

Some people think so.

The reason that most school systems have adopted calendars beginning in mid-August (or earlier) is to allow students to complete the first semester before winter break.  Many systems have also incorporated a Fall break in between the first and second grading periods; here in Oak Ridge we began last year offering a 1-week  Fall break in late October, and the response from parents and students has been overwhelmingly positive.

As our society has changed over the past several decades and extended families tend to live further apart, it is increasingly important to offer long enough breaks over traditional holiday times to allow for travel.

However, we must also meet the required number of days per year, and student attendance grows more important with the addition of higher standards and increasing course loads.  30 years ago, school started later in Oak Ridge, but summer break did not begin until midway through June.  In terms of comfort levels, June is decidedly cooler than late August, but that eliminates the ability to finish the first semester prior to Christmas.

Any thoughts?

4 thoughts on “Hot Topic

  1. AC is an important ingredient in this discussion. As long as they function, I see no problem. When they don’t, it is a PR nightmare.

  2. Pingback: Volunteer Voters » Year Round Schooling Not So Hot?

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