4 Day Week

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2003 : May : 19

4 Day Week
By Lynn

We are just completing our first year on the four day schedule. Our provincial laws were only changed last spring making this a possibility. For the most part it has worked well this year. We are, geographically, a large
district with small schools and declining enrollment. It was a close vote last spring when our board decided to try the four day schedule as a cost saving measure (the alternative was to close at least two of our schools). After parent, staff, and student surveys were returned with largely positive results, the board has unanimously decided to continue with the four day week next year.
Personally,

I really like the four day week. My class is doing as well as any of my previous classes who were on the five day schedule and we all enjoy those three day weekends! Many of us thought our primary students would have trouble with the longer day, but my class and I are often surprised at how quickly our day has passed.

The elementary kids are in class for 5 3/4 hours and kindergarten for 3 hours each day, There are always 4 school days in a week. Previously, our kids were in class for 4 3/4 hours (9:00 - 3:00 with an hour for lunch and 15 minutes for recess) usually five, but sometimes four, days a week - depending on holidays.

This year, kids in our district will be in school 156 days. On a five day schedule it would be about 188. The total number of hours are very similar.