DeKalb unveils three possible 2012-2013 calendars, including one with Aug. 1 start date. Early release on Wednesdays.
DeKalb kids would go back to school Aug. 1 under one proposed new calendar. (AP Image)
DeKalb parents are being asked for feedback on three calendars for the upcoming school year.
All three options have schools closing an hour early each Wednesday to enable teacher planning and development.
An APS administrator kindly sent me a note that the standard metro area spring break is the first full week in April (beginning on a Sunday), so the metro systems should have the break scheduled for April 8-12. In two of these options, DeKalb would have its break a week earlier.
Option A resembles the school calendar of nearby Decatur. School starts Aug. 1 and there are week-long breaks in October and Thanksgiving and then the winter break. In the second half of the year, there are week-long breaks in February and April with school ending May 29. The spring break is the week of April 8.
Option B starts school back on Monday, Aug. 6. There is a week off at Thanksgiving, 12 days over Christmas and a week in April. In this scenario, spring break begins April 1, which is a week earlier than most other systems. School ends on May 24. This option has extended weekend breaks in October and February.
Option C has students returning on Aug. 13 with a week off at Thanksgiving and two weeks at Christmas. Spring break also begins April 1, and classes end May 29.
According to the DeKalb web site:
Per Dr. Atkinson’s request, the Division of Curriculum and Instruction has convened a group of stakeholders to explore school calendar options for next year. The Calendar Committee includes parents, teachers, principals, district office staff, and community partners. The committee has worked together to present three calendar options to the DeKalb County School District community of stakeholders. The survey is designed to gather stakeholder input that will be used to inform our decision about school calendar.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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84 comments Add your comment
The Deal
April 11th, 2012
8:12 am
This decision needs to be postponed until next year. Too many plans have already been made for this summer.
With respect to longer and shorter summers, some children benefit from a longer summer with Duke’s TIP program, Governor’s School programs, extended church and missionary trips, swim team, and extended travel to visit family far away. These are extremely valuable and educational opportunities that cannot happen during the school year or during the 1-week breaks.
Dunwoody Mom
April 11th, 2012
8:55 am
IMHO, Dr. Atkinson is moving things forward the right way, i.e. zero-based budgeting, pay as you go SPLOST projects, professional people in executive positions, etc., However, the whole calendar “debacle” smacks of previous administration tactics. If Dr. Atkinson wants to continue with the good will she has gotten so far, then she really needs to back off any calendar changes for 2012-2013 school year.
flipper
April 11th, 2012
9:05 am
@#The Deal, you should know by now that school administrators do not care about kids who want to take part in Duke TIP and the like. The lowest common denominator drives the vast majority of the decisions.
Pardon My Blog
April 11th, 2012
9:28 am
I voted for Calendar C but in my opinion we should consider going back to the quarter system (have a calendar similar to Virginia or California) where the start time would be late August or right after Labor Day. So what if the kids have to go for a week or two after Memorial Day. There are many students that are involved in sports during the summer that traditionally do not finish until the first or second week in August. Additionally, with August being one of the hottest months the utility bills have got to be astronomical not to mention the hot buses.
The big question is why is this being proposed this late in the year to be effective for the next school year? There are many families who have already made plans based on the school calendar that has been published and in place not to mention the students who have summer jobs based on their availability.
This is another example of the Superintendent’s inexperience and DeKalb flying by the seat of their pants.
No Name Yet
April 11th, 2012
10:07 am
Cobb County asked for calendar feedback. Saw what the parents, teachers, and students wanted. Then they did the opposite. I wonder if DeKalb will listen to the people?
All this for WHAT?
April 11th, 2012
11:58 am
All this for what?
Well so that teachers can get off an hour early on Wednesdays.
pffffft.
Planning, right.
The door won’t even hit them in the butt on the way out of that school they depart so fast.
I know what response I’ll be sending.
He)) to the no.
Smoke Rise Mom
April 11th, 2012
4:04 pm
I vote for keeping the published calendar as is for 2012-2013 with no early release. That will buy me some extra time to find an alternative to DCSS for the following year.
There’s already little reason to come back to school after the CRCT. Why would anybody return for a couple of days after Memorial Day?
Question
April 11th, 2012
4:10 pm
Elementary schools will let out at 1:30 on Wednesdays?
Question
April 11th, 2012
4:29 pm
Gosh man, the idea of ending school early once a week is so dumb, I really can’t believe someone thought it up much less proposed it. This is what you get in Dekalb. Idiots. Really.
Dekalbite@Question
April 11th, 2012
4:48 pm
“Gosh man, the idea of ending school early once a week is so dumb,”
In Germany most schools get out at lunchtime. Can we even begin to compare our literacy rate with Germany?
“Teachers in Finland spend fewer hours at school each day and spend less time in classrooms than American teachers. Teachers use the extra time to build curriculums and assess their students.”
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/Why-Are-Finlands-Schools-Successful.html
Dr. Atkinson listened to teachers who said they need release time for staff development and co-planning.
You might as well do away with staff development if you do not give teachers adequate time. No business runs its professional training after the workday has ended.
big picture
April 11th, 2012
4:50 pm
Once again, Not Impressed. Key issues:
1! There is already a calendar, voted on and approved by the board in 2010 for 2012-2013. MANY parents/families have already schedule camps, travel, etc. based on this calendar downloaded months ago. Many camps require down payments in March, (already made not retrievable), so changing the calendar now IS TOO LATE!!!! The Super should be fired for even trying, and the Board should be fired for even considering a change at this late date.
2! They say that they want a balanced calendar “for the children” as it will improve learning and students need extended classroom time with fewer breaks – THEN they turn around an REDUCE classroom time with the inclusion of an EARLY RELEASE DAY. Really.
From what I understand this is something requested by the teachers…..then how is it “for the children.” Honestly, I want happy and skilled teachers. BUT, if we really look hard at the issue, the reason that teachers haven’t had adequate time for planning in the past few years is that they were “furloughed” on their planning days, prohibiting them from actually making use of planning time. So, why don’t we first give them back their planning days and incorporate REAL teacher training and planning during those days – rather than just say that the teachers need the time. Seriously, they have been robbed of the time to balance the budget, I fully agree with this, but to give back planning days and add early release days seems over the top.
Finally, I do see parents who have stated that others with early release days see start times changed to accommodate this early release time to ensure that the students aren’t losing instructional time.
IF THAT is the case in DEKALB, NO MENTION of these changes were included with the presentation of the calendars. So, I can only assume that the students are losing instructional time. I can also assume (logically quite safely), that the instructional time that will be omitted will be what little remains for the arts – music, art, band, language, etc. …in other words, what makes school fun and interesting for children to attend is what will be cut.
Why on earth can’t someone come up with a creative response that is good for everyone. Give back recess (the children aren’t even allowed to talk through lunch, their time is so short, and they have only 15 minutes of “unstructured break time” – that teachers can give in 5 minute increments to meet the standard – e.g., they get no break). Let the teachers share supervision responsibilities of merged classes for a recess break while other teachers accomplish planning and training – everyone benefits. That would be too far of a stretch though.
I have a house for sale in DeKalb. Any takers!?!
Eric
April 11th, 2012
5:27 pm
B or C, but definitely not A.
MB
April 11th, 2012
6:42 pm
@Brandy Maybe compare some factors other than school start dates? For your example of Highland Park ISD Dallas, TX: They have 7 schools and 6,647 students. Economically disadvantaged: 0.0% Total expenditures per student: $16,518 Perhaps these indicators had more impact on student achievement than when the school year starts and ends?
West Essex, NJ district has one middle and one high school, with a total of 1601 students and expenditures of $21,976 per student. Maybe we could compare their results to Dickerson MS and Walton HS? Well, maybe not, since Walton alone has more than 1000 students over their total.
Engage critical thinking skills and do a little analysis, please!
Question
April 11th, 2012
7:15 pm
Maybe we could compare their results to Dickerson MS and Walton HS?
Or maybe compare Dekalb to Germany or Finland?
Preposterous.
@ MB
April 11th, 2012
8:18 pm
Maybe these schools are so much better than DeKalb because of the size? Just a thought that DeKalb is too large to meet the needs of all of its students.
The Deal
April 11th, 2012
9:23 pm
What it boils down to is that DeKalb isn’t even doing the basics correctly. We do not need to experiment with calendars, balanced calendars, early-release, or anything else that is not proven until we clean up the very basic, existing messes: providing a minimum standard of education to every child that includes major subjects and a selection of specials, getting buildings into temperate, non-leaking and non-rodent states, balancing the budget, completing all of the organizational changes Dr. A. outlined (moving various groups into and out of central administration), fixing the SPLOST mess, getting teachers back furlough days and their retirement contributions, finding and placing competent principals in every school, and, wow, I could go on. I think there are enough existing problems without introducing more variables for “success”.
MB
April 11th, 2012
9:31 pm
These are much smaller districts, but they are also MUCH more affluent. Georgia DOE shows DeKalb spending an average of $8390 per student, with 70% of students identified as socioeconomically disadvantaged. Highland Park spends over $16, 518 per student and has no free or reduced lunch participation. Parents able and willing to pay taxes to support that are more likely to be educated and able to support their students in school activities.
@Question: I meant compare the NJ system with just one middle and one high school to schools in GA that pull from similar demographics.(Walton and Dickerson or Northview and River Trail, for example…)
Dekalbite@Question
April 11th, 2012
9:40 pm
The Cobb County schools you point to are solidly middle class so that’s not a good comparison. Germany and Finland have a much higher literacy rate for all students – not just for the more affluent. There are many reasons why these countries have a more literate population than the U.S, but viewing their schedules, more time spent in class is not indicative of increased student achievement.
I see you are from Cobb County. DeKalb’s very different from your county. I have friends who teach in Cobb, and your school system has its own unique set of problems.
Brandy
April 11th, 2012
10:03 pm
@MB (not @ MB), As I said, I only chose a few examples of the “best” schools/districts. That they are small is probably due to the socioeconomic breakdown of the community, yes; but, it probably has nothing to do with school start dates. In fact it is very telling that the biggest concern presented here is the effect upon already paid for summer camps or vacations instead of the quality of education. If the very best school districts do something, why automatically assume it wouldn’t work here? Is that scary, for some reason? Is there some reason I’m not aware of that “urban” or “minority” students are only able to learn August through May? Because if there is, I’d love to hear it and be proven wrong. fwiw, Here are a few large districts that start right before or after Labor Day.
=>Baltimore County, MD: 1st Day of School, Aug 29th; Last Day, June 14th (don’t confuse with Baltimore City Public Schools which has a similar calendar but would be a dismal performer no matter what reform was implemented)
=>Montgomery County, MD: 1st Day of School, Aug 29th; Last Day, June 12th (on the list of Top 10 Best Districts)
=>Boston, MA: 1st Day of School, Sept 6th; Last Day, June 21st–not a top performer overall, though has a few schools that are high achievers
(=>Marin Co., CA: 1st Day of School, Aug 24th; Last Day, June 13th (on the list of Top 10 Best Districts))–questionable demographically, but definitely a top performer
=>Howard Co, MD: 1st Day of School, 1st Day of School, Aug. 27th; Last Day, June 20th (on the list of Top 10 Best Districts)
I’m sure someone will be quick to comment on how white, how educated, how wealthy, or how not Southern these districts are–go right ahead, it is rather amusing to watch/read.
If the “best” schools start right before or after Labor Day, it might (yes, might) be something worth trying, demographic similarities or no. If every single poor performing district had the exact same calendar, I’d bet you’d be gung ho about getting them to change to a different one. Why not consider the obverse? Coincidence, correlation, or causation? I don’t know, but it is worth considering and trying. I generally think about it like this: When the engine dies on my car, am I going to take it to my local mechanic and expect him or her to rebuild it in a completely new way, using completely new materials, or do I expect him or her to rebuild it roughly the same way an equally qualified mechanic anywhere else would? Local control is a wonderful thing (hence the local mechanic), but we can take it too far because sometimes it is o.k. to borrow good ideas from other places or people. It is also o.k. to consider other people’s opinions respectfully.
I actually agree 100% on the size comment. Some of the very best schools ever were/are tiny, which allows for more personalization, individualization, and knowledge/understanding of all the factors that contribute to the whole child (home life, health and well-being, diet, hygiene, parental age, parental level of involvement/engagement, parental level of education, parental level of employment, access to a print-rich environment from birth to age 5, mental/psychological state, engagement/interest, et cetera). I often wonder if the era of the large urban district and the mega suburban district is over. I think one day we will be discussing breaking up districts like APS and sending the students to their respective county districts OR discussing breaking up the mega districts. Some states already do this (look at the MN or Alaska districts). Will it solve anything? Who knows, but it might be worth contemplating.
I also agree that comparing poor, urban schools and children to white/Asian, wealthy ones is like comparing apples to oranges–they are both fruits, but otherwise, pretty darn different. But, those differences do not necessarily mean that what works with one group isn’t going to work with the other. Listening to and discussing what works with one group is also nothing to be afraid of.
Brandy
April 11th, 2012
10:13 pm
@The Deal, A good point that is all too often ignored in these debates (even up here in Cobb). I found it odd (and still find it odd as it comes up at almost every board meeting) that the #1 issue to get Cobb parents (and some teachers) riled up is their vacation schedule. There are so many other issues, far more pressing and important ones, to get our dander up over; yet, it is the calendar that gets people most upset. This fact is a sad commentary on society, imho.
Truthfully, I could care less whether I start in August, September, or don’t have a summer break at all; but, I do believe that students benefit from having time to just be kids.
Brandy
April 11th, 2012
10:17 pm
@Dekalbite, I’ve said something similar in regards to seat time vs. achievement in the past, but I generally find it an unpopular viewpoint. I will always believe that students need time to just be kids, no matter which eduFad is in favor at the moment.
Pardon My Blog
April 12th, 2012
8:13 am
I know I have said this before but it is worth saying again, DeKalb needs to look at top performing school districts and use those as a model to get back on track. The problem is that we have individuals in positions that they are totally unqualified for and a BoE that is totally clueless about education.
To change the calendar at this juncture is totally irresponsible and shows that decisions are being made without much thought. We should all be really worried about the direction of the schools in DeKalb (and they wonder why the house prices are constantly falling).
d
April 12th, 2012
10:11 am
@Pardon – Let’s look at Cherokee County and their calendar!
big picture
April 12th, 2012
1:06 pm
For many DeKalb parents, it is not that they are opposed to a different calendar, they are opposed to changing an already approved calendar at this late date. Why now when plans have already been made? If it is such a good idea, it will be a good idea next year – with appropriate planning.
A bigger problem, I think, is the early release day on Friday.
While the Super indicates that the balanced calendar is to meet the needs of the children, it is my understanding that when asked why take instructional time from the kids with an early release day, is that she needs to meet the needs of the teachers? Is less instructional time for increased teacher planning through early release days the answer? OR is the answer no longer taking away furlough days and paying teachers for planning time. This is a back door effort to keep furloughing teachers, and to give them planning time by reducing instructional time. If you don’t see through this, you are blind. The instructional time that will be reduced will be what few specials are supported in the Dekalb schools.
d
April 12th, 2012
2:07 pm
I have to agree that I am afraid that the early releases are backdoor furloughs, but we cannot be placed in the situation like we were on January 4 this year – coming back the same day as the children…. classrooms still left with the issues of 1st semester, no syllabus, textbooks etc ready for the children the first day of second semester.
My take
April 12th, 2012
2:26 pm
The idea of the early release day only strengthens the notion that this person shouldn’t be making decisions on behalf of 90,000+ students and their families.
eric1997
April 12th, 2012
3:01 pm
@My Take – Dr. Atkinson didn’t make this decision on her own. The teachers who are working with your children and the other 90,000 children in DeKalb County Schools told her that they need the time to work together collaboratively to plan effective instruction for the children. This was not done to make life difficult for families but to improve education for children. Will it work? Only time will tell. I am optimistic, though.
My take
April 12th, 2012
3:22 pm
Eric, I appreciate your need for time and I suggest you find another way to plan instruction for the children. Maybe look at how it’s done all across America.
big picture
April 12th, 2012
8:43 pm
The bottom line is that teachers and parents need to get on the same page and demand cuts to central office staff (rather than double staffing at full pay) so that teachers can receive adequate planning days. Without furloughs and with adequate planning and APPROPRIATE training, there simply should be NO NEED for early release and reduction of instructional time.
I agree with the poster who earlier noted in a response to teachers’ claims that RTTT had requirements that are overwhelming and that teachers need time to plan…..why are other districts able to handle this shift WITHOUT early release. I suspect it is because their systems are already adequately preparing their staff, and are providing training during planning days. In other words, these systems have not furloughed teachers right out of planning.
Again, its a back door to cheat children out of instruction AND continue to cheat teachers out of fair pay by keeping furloughs in place. Get rid of furloughs (find money in the budget by cutting central office staff and reducing legal costs), and continue providing adequate instructional time.
I am for the teachers. I do not see early release as the appropriate way to address their needs for planning. This is a quick fix that allows the superintendant and the board to continue to avoid making hard decisions about their own salaries and their own needs for staff. Perhaps we could sell a few Central Office chairs.
The Deal
April 12th, 2012
9:18 pm
DCSD does not need to try anything except to emulate any of the 43 states that are ahead of us in rankings. Don’t go outside of the box, DCSD. Just catch up with, say, half of the states that are ahead of you, and we’ll be happier.
LongTimeTeacher
April 13th, 2012
10:13 pm
I like calendar A. I teach a huge amount of material before Labor Day. August is so hot we might as well be in school and learning. Tracitional summer vacations are too long. I would like to see tutoring during the summer and week long breaks. School can be intense for children. They would benefit from frequent short breaks.
Plans Made
April 17th, 2012
12:36 pm
How can you change the calendar now while an approved calendar has been available all year for summer camp/vacation planning? You can’t change the start date this late in the game. Please!
Flexible
April 18th, 2012
2:33 pm
I am delighted to see new options being considered by the county and some of the feedback here is a little bit of “Who Moved My Cheese-I-Can’t-Take-Any-Change-I’m-So-Unflexible.” Any calendar that has a shorter summer (even if it’s only 2 weeks shorter) gets my vote. Summer break is a legacy of farming days that only results in students forgetting much of what they have learned. So, I was delighted to see an option with a shorter summer.
I was also delighted that one of the calendars provides school breaks that will allow us to do real travel or find a camp. Let’s face it, one or two days off here and there only results in either kids missing school the entire week or a parent having to stay home (since day camps are rarely offered for 1-2 days). A full week off will mean after care programs will provide ‘camp’ options for working parents. And having a full week off (especially when other schools in GA are in session) means enriching travel can be considered.
All in all, option A is a great option. When will the results be announced? I hope soon. I can understand the need for parents to know when school will be in session and so they can make the appropriate plans.
An VERY angry parent
July 10th, 2012
2:53 am
What are the people thinking theses days? why in the world would we, as parents, want our child to have extra long breaks? Its ENOUGH already that they get so much breaks. I mean seriously, we all know as parents that education comes first for our children. Why cut of their education time? What good does it bring to our children’s? All they do when they get home is watch t.v. , play, and lose information on what they’ve learned at school. I bet that those teachers are just try to get extra time for themselves. So what if they’re a little tired? Its their to teach our kids. If they didn’t want to why bother becoming a teacher? Geez for crying out loud, have these people ever thought how this could impact our kids life? Sure I know dekalb is poor and all but I’m sure they could afford a hour …….