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D51 Extracurriculars May Be Affected by Calendar Change

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The School District 51 Board of Education is set to vote on a new concept calendar for the 2014 school year.

The four options officials are considering are a traditional calendar with an early start, a five day extended calendar, and two four day options.

The five day extended calendar would set up unconventional breaks through the school year aimed at giving students more contact time with teachers.

Director of Bands for Grand Junction High School, Isaac Lavadie, says changes to the direct's calendar may make it hard for his students to compete in competitions.

"There's a two week break right at the height of our marching band season and so basically we'll have Colorado West and we'll have our State Qualifier competition which will determine whether or not we advance onto the next round of state championships. That's going to be right during that two week break," said Lavadie.

Lavadie says not participating in the championships would be detrimental for all of the valley's band programs and having students come in during their break from school could be difficult on families.

"We're going to have a hard time keeping kids here and making sure their parents are understanding that even though the school's on a two week break, we're not going to be able to go and plan family vacations or anything like that because we need [the students] here," said Lavadie.

The Board of Education will be adopting the concept calendar Tuesday night but school officials want to remind folks that it's not set in stone for 2014.

"We need to look at all of those things and figure out what do those details look like and iron that out and then we'll bring back an official calendar for the board to adopt that will have a start date, end date and all that stuff," said Christy McGee with School District 51.

Whether it's band or sports, Lavadie hopes the district and parents keep all extracurriculars in mind when making changes.

"Granted, we go to school to learn, but some of the programs, the extracurricular activities, they keep kids in the school," he said.

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Don said on Tuesday, Feb 5 at 12:07 AM

The headline should read "Affected" not "Effected

Ladybug said on Tuesday, Feb 5 at 5:32 AM

Not one tv station nor the newspaper published these so called calenders----I smell a rat, someone is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.....WHY???? Why must I as a taxpayer go visit one of a few schools that have these calenders on display???? Why isn't this info readily available???? This band director has a good point, if school is out for two weeks that are not Christmas then why is that?????? Why do good parents pay & participate in sports&band but those students have to sacrifice their exta time when all the no good pot smoking booze dinking & getting pregnant kids skip school so the calender does not matter to the bad kids...that is not fair!

Truth said on Tuesday, Feb 5 at 10:45 AM

Ladybug, you are a fool. The district posted several locations and dates for public meetings to look at the calendar options for the upcoming year; many parents, including myself, were able to look at them and ask questions. I suggest you do a better job of keeping yourself informed so when you blow a gasket blaming someone else for something you should've been aware of as a parent of a school aged child.

kwikwater said on Tuesday, Feb 5 at 12:04 PM

Visiting your child's school. WOW, what a concept!! It's a good start to being involved!!

Mr. Wright said on Tuesday, Feb 5 at 1:02 PM

With this day and age - everything should be online. Even in our state we have mail in voting. I am disabled and have a hard time getting help to go to this meetings, but with phone, web, and email I keep up to date with my child's school, grades, and teachers. You can be very involved now days, even more so than when we where young - without having to step foot in the school.

Gj resident said on Tuesday, Feb 5 at 10:18 PM

The calendars can be found on the school district web page as for the 8.5 hour days I do hope that they do not adopt those calendars I know the younger children are sure done by the time the end of the 7 hours not to mention in winter months they will see no daylight beyond recess break I do hope that they consider the effect on them

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