Parents Against Year Round Schools

Base on a survey in 2015, such survey was not available to all parents but a hand full of parents; Distinctive Schools have made the decision to change from a regular school calendar year to a year-round school starting 2017-2018 school years.
Our community embraces policy changes to benefit All Students when implemented with clear data and research to support the change.
Choices and decisions should have clear goals, which are driven by SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) analysis. We would like to see improved communication with all parents and some analysis of the community impact into a revised calendar for 2017-2018 and beyond.
1. Consider childcare expenses: during short breaks. Yearlong calendar may lead many single mothers to decide to not work, which would narrow the income tax base and create negative economic impacts in the school district.
2. Consider the fiscal and labor impact on the business community. Employment gaps occur when schools are back in session. The bottom line for pools, ice cream parlors, and shops will be affected with fewer patrons.
3. Consider the impact on our families:
a. Custody agreements for divorced family’s
b. Family vacations
4. Consider enrichment activities:
a. Music classes will be affected.
b. Sports football, soccer, cross country, volleyball, tennis, golf, cheerleading athletes will lose preseason workouts and development training, resulting in peak performance occurring later in the season.
c. Fewer and reduced opportunities to attend summer camps: Chicago Park District, YMCA, Boys/Girls Club, adventure/wilderness camps, church camps, music camps, and more.
5. Consider experiential learning: There are benefits of free play and unstructured time outside during summer time. Studies have shown the benefits of summer breaks while it decreases stress and anxiety. Not All students learn best sitting in a desk with a book open.
6. Consider summer jobs for students and staff:
a. Low income families rely on the additional income.
b. High School savings, and other savings goals for teenagers.
c. Life skill development: having a boss, being responsible, problem solving, and fiscal responsibility (counting change and using budgets).
d. Staff members frequently assume summer jobs to supplement their income. Their bottom line will also be affected.
7. Consider the research: Studies show little or no evidence that students have greater academic success with a shorter summer. (Wintre, 1986; Woodard, 1995; Kneese, 1996;Campbell, 1994; Grotjohn & Banks, 1993).
8. Consider the amount of academic time: Curriculum material reviews would simply be redistributed across the fall semester.
9. Consider snow days: they need to be made up in the summer, likely resulting in a further abbreviated of summer break.
In conclusion, we ask that Distinctive Schools consider postponing a decision on this matter so that all concerned parties may have the opportunity to be properly heard. Any proposed significant school calendar changes should be addressed with the utmost care and with full inclusion of the parents to be effected throughout the process. As far as we know, there was never any official communication to the effected parents providing notice that this important issue was to be heard and determined by Distinctive Schools. All of the parents with whom we have spoken only heard about this matter through a letter sent home with students last week. When asked the school who decided we were informed that a survey was offered last year at parents-teachers conference. Survey was located in a table but not distributed properly to all parents coming to teachers-parents conference. Only a hand full were selected and given the opportunity to give their opinion. The process being utilized to address this matter does not seem to constitute fair notice and opportunity to be heard. This petition represents parents, community and society members opposing to year round schools.