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Board of Education Approves 5-Day Extended Concept Calendar

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

Story Created: Feb 5, 2013 at 11:43 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 5, 2013 at 11:43 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - School District 51 officials have made their first vote towards a new calendar for the 2013-2014 school year.

Officials say each of the four options were aimed at increasing the time students could spend with teachers.

The board opted for the 5-day extended calendar option which could start the school year as early as August 5 and also may call for a school break in mid-October.

Although the board has made a decision on the concept calendar, they are still accepting feedback and will make a final decision on what the official days off and days on should be for students and faculty.

"We need to try to maximize that time to help their education and so we've looked at a lot of different calendar options that could help us do that. We believe that 5-day extended calendar will make the best use of student time, teacher time and help all the way around with their education," said Board President, Greg Mikolai.

Officials are also considering a transitional calendar for next year before fully implementing their decision for the 2014-2015 school year.

Members of the board also said they hope the new calendar will help with student achievement and also give extra time for intervention programs to help students struggling with certain subjects.

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Justin said on Thursday, Feb 7 at 5:33 PM

I am a student at Palisade High School and while I agree that it is a good idea to help students gain more time for education, I also believe that a good summer vacation is one of the things that allow every student to get a break before having to go back to school for 9 months. I honestly didn't see any problem with the old system. Dist. 51's schools are some of the best around. It seems unnecessarily to change the calendar when it has been like that since I started kindergarten. If this does pass through my summer will be shortened down to 1 month and 2 weeks, due to the fact that I am in marching band and we always have band camp two weeks before school starts. Honestly I have never imagined leaving my wonderful school, but if this passes I might reconsider spending my senior year in this district.

Chris N said on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 4:19 PM

I do not like the idea of extending the school year, because it limits the time we get as families. Kids need a break, and as parents most of us enjoyed traditional summers as kids, and it helped us to be able to have an opportunity to work. I will fight against this change, because it is not needed! More control by a government agency, less influence by their own parents!

Jeff said on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 3:55 PM

To Diane, Bye!

GJ Parent said on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 12:38 PM

What is amazing to me is that first they wanted to go to a shorter school week...now they are adding days! Just make Wednesdays FULL days - problem solved!

Diane said on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 10:21 AM

This will make the choice easy to relocate to another school district where families actually matter. Some of us rely on summer employment in vibrant tourist economies to supplement our struggling local income. Now that the summer is being carved up for school, that eliminates my summer work. Thanks, D51. You made the decision for me.

Disgusted said on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 7:52 AM

Reply to concerned family: The school district is much like any other Peoples Republic of Mesa County branch, corrupt to the core. My question to you is with the depressed economy locally, why would you subject your family to relocation here? Most of us trapped here are trying to escape! My advice to you: Put up a map of the United States, close your eyes and throw a dart. Move anywhere it lands as long as it isn't The Peoples Republic of Mesa County. You will be better off.

concerned family said on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 7:47 AM

This has actually made me reconsider moving my kids to the dist 51 school dist. I had originally been looking forward to the relocation however this has changed my mind. I will now be looking at private education.

John said on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 7:17 AM

I would like to see their reasoning behind choosing this one. To me this seems like it would impact a lot of other things as well. People who play sports would have a lot more to make up when they have to leave during school for games and such. Plus is a students attention span going to last by making the days longer??

mariah said on Wednesday, Feb 6 at 12:49 AM

they wouldnt need extended days if they didnt have so many fays off....being a single parent its hard to find someone at least once a month for your child to go to. its ridiculous! i didnt have that many days off when i was growin up. teacher work days right after a week off??? how does the school expect to pay for this? does this mean the parents will have to buy MORE school supplies?

chris said on Tuesday, Feb 5 at 11:57 PM

Maybe they should not take every other friday off and they really need to have school start a hour later because it is too dark in the morning and we can't see the students walking to school, plus having young kids waiting for a bus at 6:15am is unsafe.

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