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GCSC seeks input from community on calendar options

Monday, November 21, 2011

Many schools throughout Indiana are moving to a new yearly calendar format generally known as a balanced calendar.

While Greencastle Community Schools does not have a specific proposal for a 2012-13 calendar at this point, the district plans to consider the balanced calendar option.

While all students would still attend school 180 days, the student days would be spread more evenly over the yearly calendar.

School would begin earlier in August and the fall, winter and spring breaks would occur at generally the same time as the traditional calendar but last longer.

A balanced calendar could provide increased opportunity for offering timely remediation and enrichment to students and reduce the amount of time away from instruction in the summer, school officials believe.

In addition, a balanced calendar is seen as offering more flexibility to families in planning vacations and family activities. Schools implementing a balanced calendar report improved attendance for both students and staff.

GCSC would like feedback from parents and community members about potential school calendar options utilizing various "balanced" approaches.

Three balanced calendar options are available for review on the GCSC website at www.greencastle.k12.in.us.

Parents and community members are encouraged to provide feedback online after reviewing the calendar options.

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  • Oh I can see it now...Academics vs Athletics. Just wait and see.

    -- Posted by kbmom on Mon, Nov 21, 2011, at 6:14 AM

  • kbmomP I agree. And few of those trying to start a row over that idea will do the research to find out for themselves how balanced-calender schools handle it. Kind of sad, really.

    -- Posted by miraclemom3 on Mon, Nov 21, 2011, at 9:57 AM

  • This is a great idea. Having worked in schools for nearly 30 years. I have watched so many parents pull kids out to go on vacations. With a balanced calendar they will have more options. The staff will also enjoy the breaks. There is tons of research to support balanced calendars. Take the time to look it up and find out for yourself.

    -- Posted by iu-pu-mom on Mon, Nov 21, 2011, at 1:31 PM

  • Dodger would you mind putting some links to the research you are taking about.

    http://www.nayre.org/calendar_comparison.htm

    http://www.nayre.org/

    http://ceep.indiana.edu/projects/PDF/PB_V5N3_Spring_2007_EPB.pdf

    The staff does not have more breaks they have the same amount of breaks. Teachers are paid for the days they teach plus professional growth days. The push for a balanced calendar has nothing to do with teachers but more to do with a push from the state and Gov. Daniels/IDOE. If you are against this idea get your facts to gather and speak out. If you are for the idea, you get your facts together and speak out. Don't let important decisions that impact our community be made by State Government. Use your wit and sometimes vile and direct it to the school's call for feedback. But please make meaningful suggestions.

    -- Posted by LitNup on Mon, Nov 21, 2011, at 5:55 PM

  • If people would pay attention, it is not just Greencastle schools we are talking about---it is the whole county. In Area 30 news a week or so ago, they talked about this calander change because all of the schools feed into there and everyone will be pretty much on the same schedule. I get so tired of people being so negative. If there were never any changes we would still be living in caves and hunting for our food! Change is the name of the game, think positive and give it a chance.

    -- Posted by interested party on Tue, Nov 22, 2011, at 9:44 AM
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