reconsideration of the calendar

[Caron Inglis]

Dear Board Members and District Administration,

As we are finally starting to see a light at the end of the COVID tunnel, many of us are optimistically looking ahead to brighter days when we can return to "normal".  We are also starting to think about what post-pandemic school looks like, how to meet kids where they are when we are finally fully open again, and how to try and mitigate the vast disparities we know our students have experienced.  Along with that, the impact this year has had on school staff is undeniable, and we have seen multiple examples of the stress and fatigue that has settled in for so many.

At the state level, programs like K-5+ and extended learning are being proposed and may be required for the upcoming school year.  I am not completely up to date on that piece (and I was unable to attend Dr. Steinhaus' update for staff on Friday), but I think it's wise to be proactive in our thinking and planning and it's a good time to think about our school calendar.  I do not think that just tacking extra learning days on to either end of the calendar is the answer, and I think that we risk increasing the frustration and burnout of teachers and students alike by doing this.  

As an alternative, I think it's time to revisit and very seriously consider a year-round school model.  The 10-12 week summer break is an antiquated notion.  Schools around the country have adopted a year-round model that allows for a shorter (but still lengthy!) summer break, with more frequent breaks throughout the year.  This gives families opportunities to travel and recharge throughout the year, not only in the summer.  It also gives students opportunities to receive tutoring and remediation on a more regular basis, as opposed to expecting summer school to help them catch up (spoiler alert - it doesn't).

I have only been in Los Alamos for 5-6 years, but it is my understanding that this idea has been floated in the past.  I've heard a lot of conflicting information about why it didn't gain any traction, but I think this is the time to open the discussion again.  I hope that as we learn more about the requirements that may be coming down in terms of the length of the school year (or day), that we truly put our core value of "Innovation" into practice when considering how to meet state requirements, while also meeting the needs of our students and staff.

Thank you so much for your time and service as board members and district administrators.

Sincerely,

Caron Inglis

LAPS School Psychologist and proud parent to 3 school age students

https://hechingerreport.org/is-it-finally-time-for-year-round-school/

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Caron C. Inglis, MS, BCBA

NM Licensed School Psychologist

Los Alamos Public Schools

505-663-2209

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