By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The new Juab School District Calendar for the 2001-2002
year was approved with the understanding that the first and
fourth quarter lengths may still be adjusted.
The adjustment would come as an amendment to the
adopted calendar only if the high school staff continues to
support the change in quarter lengths and other district
schools do not object to the change.
"Our faculty, at the high school, likes to get things
done up front," said Rick Durbin, high school principal.
The rationale behind the request is that secondary
teachers think district test days break into the first
quarter. The extra length, if only by a few days, would
allow for the time-in-class to be made up so the quarter
material could be taught. This would give better groundwork
skills development time and would lay a better foundation
for the learning to come.
"The change would allow the end of third quarter to
come to an end before spring break," said Durbin. "However,
the second quarter would not longer end at Civil Rights
Day."
"Is not as much material covered in the fourth
quarter?" asked Delanie Hathaway, board member.
Durbin said, in fact, material covered in the
classroom was fairly equally distributed between September
and May. The difference came not in the amount taught but
where and when grades were given.
The issue which really needed to be considered, said
Leon Pexton, school board president, was which grade and
which calendar is less damaged by change.
"The only concern was the one raised by high school
teachers," said Kirk Wright, superintendent. "Otherwise, it
makes more sense to balance the quarters as to length."
Julie Smalley, board member, suggested the staff from
the various schools consider the calendar in an upcoming
school improvement meeting. All school staff members meet
together at those sessions and discuss issues of concern to
all.
"The consensus of the meeting could then be reported
back to us (board members) and we could amend the calendar
or leave it as it is depending on the outcome of the
consensus," said Smalley.
|
