CONCERNS ABOUT LEAVING THE TRADITIONAL CALENDAR

1. Why are we considering this if there is, at best, inconclusive statistical evidence supporting an increase in academic performance?

2. Have the complications and related stress of having children in one family on different school calendars been considered?

3. Will my child really receive a 3 week break from school if there are reading lists, homework assignments, enrichment classes and remedial classes?

4. Who will determine if my child will attend the remedial class or attend the enrichment program? Will there be additional costs to parents for these programs?

5. Who will be required to teach during the breaks and how much will it cost?

6. If the faculty is required to teach, what about teacher "burn-out"?

7. How will the families of teachers required to teach during the three week breaks be affected? What will those children do while his/her parent teaches? When will their families have vacation time together?

8. When will teachers be able to attend workshops and continuing education if schools across the state (and southeast) are on different calendars?

9. What about single parent families who have divided time during the summer with a child?

10. How will my child attend summer camps, basketball camps, band camps or church youth trips?

11. Has the economic factor been considered? Won't there be higher maintenance, operational (air conditioning, etc.), salaries and administrative costs?

12. Is tuition going to increase to support this change?

13. What about sporting competitions and practices? Will football, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, soccer, tennis, baseball, track and golf competitions (and related practices) be held during breaks? If so, those participating students and teachers will have no vacation time.

14. Do you believe that all learning happens in the classroom? Are not "free play" and less structure needed for healthy child development?  Many children need down time.

15. What about gaining experience and building responsibility through having a summer job? Some of our children work to help pay their bills or save for college. How many employers offer three to seven week jobs?

16. How can our children participate in activities outside of school which are offered on their own schedules during the summer months?  Church activities, such as Vacation Bible School, and community activities, such as Little League are available only during the summer.  A huge number of educational and recreational programs and opportunities statewide and nationwide for children and families are also available only during the summer months.  Family vacation choices are also limited - a week at Gulf Shores or the lake in February is not quite the same as a week in either place in July.

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