Parents unhappy about District 41 calendar changes

A midyear change in the school calendar has left some unhappy parents in Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41.

The revised calendar was distributed in December, just before winter break, to account for two extra institute days agreed upon during teacher contract negotiations.

Those talks weren't completed until November, requiring the late change.

Superintendent Ann Riebock said both the board and teachers union agreed to the institute days, which previously had taken place after school and on weekends.

"The problem was a lack of continuity of who would be at those days," Riebock said. "The solution was to bring those back into the (school) day."

That explanation doesn't fly for Molly McGinnis Knapke, a resident who spoke at this week's school board meeting. Knapke said most working professionals have training sessions outside normal hours and teachers should be able to as well.

Knapke and about six others urged officials to move the institute days, which were added for Feb. 26 and April 30, to the end of the year instead of having students attend class for two extra days in June.

"A day in February is not the same as a day in June," Knapke said. "By June, the kids have checked out, the teachers have checked out."

However, Riebock said the calendar will remain intact through the end of this school year. She acknowledged there is room for improvement, which the calendar committee will try to iron out for the 2009-10 school year.

"We're also aware of the calendar this year being choppier than we would like," she said. "We have every intention of improving that for next year."

Much of that also is attributed to school-improvement days, which are normally a half-day of classes for students.

Knapke said those days aren't very well used because teachers have to keep students occupied until noon and likely don't have time for a full lesson.

She said parents are hoping for more five-day weeks in a row so students are in class on a more consistent basis.

Next month, for example, students have Monday, Feb. 16, off plus a half-day that Friday. The next week, on Feb. 26 and 27, students are off for institute days.

Knapke said even though changes may not be made this year, she hopes the board took note of the parents who want to see a different schedule next year.

"We want as many five-day weeks in a row as possible," she said.