PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat says every district she’s seen use a modified school year calendar, has had it work for them very well.
Kherat says that’s why after six years of research, and a decision by the school board to forego a more “balanced” school year calendar, a modified calendar will be given final consideration by the board Monday night.
“Once individual districts and schools transition to a change, a modified calendar or even a balanced calendar, they’re not going back,” said Kherat.
The calendar — to be voted on by the school board tonight — has a summer break that’s ten days less, but with ten day breaks in the fall and spring. But, Kherat says, parental concerns about the calendar, and a potential needed change for childcare, may be misguided.
“We’ll literally provide intervention and academic support (for the first five days of the fall and spring breaks),” said Kherat. “So, there won’t be a need to seek child care, because the children will be coming to school, if parents choose that option, for intervention and acceleration.”
Kherat says in other words, if that option is chosen, the break is only five days and not ten.
She says six years worth of research has proven the modified calendar will be great for both students and teachers, giving them good rest and lessening a need to re-teach things from the previous school year.
Kherat says teachers are in favor of the modified calendar and the breaks it provides, but the Peoria Federation of Teachers was still seeking union member feedback on it over the weekend.
