Noblesville schools exploring traditional and balanced calendar options
Noblesville Schools’ parents may need to prepare for shorter summers. Based on a community survey conducted by the district, respondents preferred a balanced calendar 2:1 compared to the traditional calendar used currently. The results of the survey, which included 3,686 participants, were presented during a public forum on Oct. 15.
“It’s a big enough sample,” Assistant Supt. Steven Stephanoff said. “Thirty-five hundred is a pretty good number. We did not anticipate that many.”
In the first six hours the survey was available, Stephanoff said between 1,200 to 1,600 responses were made. Some parents question the validity of the data presented because no measures were in place for a day or two to prevent someone from taking the survey multiple times from the same computer, which was reported to school officials. Sharon Trisler, Noblesville Schools public relations director and study committee member, said the survey was not intended to be scientific but gauge the community’s interest. She added that the multiple responses from the same IP address could be removed from the findings but did not anticipate that it would significantly affect the survey results.
“It still gives a good cross section, a good look at what people in the community are saying,” Trisler said.
Stephanoff headed the 20-member study committee comprised of parents, teachers, school administrators and a high school student, which was formed after a community survey found support for investigating a move to a balanced calendar. At tonight’s school board meeting, the committee will recommend the calendar change to the board, which has the option of adopting the calendar, tabling its decision or asking the committee to present a traditional calendar instead.
“We are responding to our community in 2010 that said it wanted us to consider this,” Supt. Libbie Conner said.
The committee said balanced calendar advantages include reductions in summer learning loss, less remediation, improved attendance, increased opportunities for student internships, reduction in the number of student referrals for behavior, student and staff rejuvenation, off-peak travel times for families, ease in scheduling medical appointments and no significant change in energy costs.
Conner said having the two week breaks are not the issue, rather it is the direct impact on achievement from them.
“Students and staff coming back relaxed and refreshed is the bigger issue,” she said.
The committee conducted research online on the subject, but it did not provide specific examples or data to back up its points at the forum (audience members were told links to studies would be available on the district website). Instead, members cited interviews with staff members from Central Indiana school districts who have moved to balanced calendars, including Warren Township, Avon and Brownsburg.
“More people (at Central Indiana schools) said we are doing different things but can’t say it’s just because of the balanced calendar,” said Stephanoff. “They did say it didn’t hurt.”
Staci Scott-Stewart, a second grade teacher at North Elementary, said most of the research to back academic improvements was found for year-round calendars. The shortened summer schedule of just two weeks is a recent trend in education and is still being looked at.
“There was not a lot of research to say it definitely helps,” she said.
“As it becomes more and more popular, there are more places and people we can ask,” added Conner.
Challenges of the change include difficulty adjusting to the new schedule in the first year; less time for major construction, renovation projects and custodial cleaning; and schedule adjustments for summer school and athletics.
“Summer school would be an issue,” said Eric Gundersen, high school teacher and study committee member. “It would look and operate different than in the past.”
One concern from parents was the extended fall and spring breaks. Susie Davis of the Noblesville Parks Dept. said the staff was developing programs for those longer times out of school.
“We will do our best to come up with activities for your kids,” she said.
Residents who opposed the balanced calendar said it would conflict with extracurricular activities and end-of-summer events including camps, Scouting, summer vacations and State Fair participation for 4-H’ers and the annual Band Day contest.
Carol Schmidt has a junior son who is worried his senior year will be “messed up” if the switch is made. Schmidt said her sons show animals from July 31 to Aug. 6 and Aug. 8 to 13 at the State Fair
“It’s going to be very difficult,” she said. “He’s an AP/honor student, and if you miss class time, it’s hard to make up. He’s torn because grades are important on a college resume, but he wants to be a veterinarian and showing animals is important, too.”
Conner said the district and school board would need to revise the attendance policy if the balanced calendar is approved for State Fair participation.
Laura and Jim Paris recently moved to Noblesville from the southside of Chicago because of the school system. The Paris’ said a third of the Chicago schools use a balanced calendar and two-thirds have the traditional calendar. Laura said the balanced calendar is a trigger word because everyone wants a balanced life, balanced checkbook, etc.
“I don’t think they gave us anything to sell us on it,” Laura said following the 90-minute presentation. “We’ve done a lot of research and we’re not impressed.”
“Personally, I don’t want my child to be a guinea pig. There’s no concrete evidence saying this is going to work,” added Jim. “Not with my kid. I’ll be moving to Zionsville.”
During their research, the Paris’ found that balanced calendars do not impact middle class families that provide enrichments and non-traditional educational opportunities during the summer break. Stephanoff agreed that the research showed that English as a Second Language and disadvantaged students are better served with less time off during the summer.
“The shorter the summer break, the better they did in school,” he said.
The Paris’ said one factor they oppose with the balanced calendar is the additional time off during fall and spring breaks taken away from the summer when the family vacations to a farm in southern Illinois.
“What am I supposed to do in October and March when it’s cold and chilly? In August my kids will be in school when they should be outside playing,” Laura said.
“They learn all kinds of skills they can’t learn in schools,” added Jim. “I don’t see a huge benefit in this community.”
School Board President Jane Barr, a former teacher, said the research cannot pinpoint the exact factor a calendar change can make because of the variables.
“We’ll pursue something that might impact our students – that gives the ability to improve attendance and test scores,” she said. “Not one member of the board takes it lightly. We really study it. You think about it all night – is this the best decision for our students?”
No matter which calendar the district uses, students will receive 180 days of instruction and funding is not affected – Brownsburg and Avon actually received additional funding for remediation by switching to the balanced calendar.
What is a balanced calendar?
Hinkle Creek Elementary Principal Jack Lawrence explained that the 180-day school year would be spread over 10 months instead of nine and a half months. Summer break would decrease to eight weeks instead of 10 and ensured the first semester would end before winter break. The calendar would include two-week breaks in the fall, winter and spring.
“The two-week breaks would closely coincide with the end of grading periods,” he said. “The school calendar is generally between Aug. 1 and June 1.”
