4-Day School Week
Panorama Community School District is exploring and studying the possibility of moving to a 4-day School week. While the initial feedback regarding the move to a four-day school week has been overall positive, the board is still seeking additional data to fully understand how this transition would impact our community and families. Before moving forward, it is essential to determine if this shift would truly be beneficial for everyone involved. Specifically, the board is looking to analyze the long-term effects on student achievement and the logistical needs of working parents. Our goal is to ensure that any change made is backed by evidence from other districts' experiences and serves the best interests of our communities.
Why a 4 Day Week
Like many rural districts in Iowa, we are facing significant challenges in attracting high-quality teachers and educators. The applicant pools for certain positions are shrinking, while larger districts have the resources to invest in recruitment. In contrast, rural districts need to find creative solutions. Success depends on our people, so we must explore all options to remain relevant and appealing.
The discussion about a four-day school week is gaining momentum across the state, and we would appreciate your input as a parent and community member. The primary goals of this change are to improve teacher recruitment and retention, enhance teacher effectiveness, foster a positive culture for students and staff, and facilitate better time management. Ultimately, these changes aim to provide stability and deliver the best education for our children.
Benefits
How does this benefit your family?
Time for appointments
Time for longer family weekends
Sundays are no longer for school prep; they’ve become dedicated days for connecting with extended family.
Weekend extracurricular activities
Reduces the stress for students and families who try to complete work within the current time constraints.
How does this benefit the school?
Recruit and retain high-quality staff
By moving to a longer period (55 minutes instead of 43 minutes) in the secondary school, we gain about 1,000 minutes of instruction for a full year course.
More time for students to partake in Work-Based Learning Opportunity
Social/Emotional health of students and staff
Class length stays at a length for in-depth learning
Students have a whole day to do any needed schoolwork
Teachers have extended quality Professional Development time - Quality vs. Quantity
Students will have more time to engage in work-based learning activities as the state requires more work-based learning.
Challenges
Childcare
Student activities
Food and nutrition
Change
Addressing Childcare
Schools we've talked to currently operating on a 4-day week reported this was a concern amongst parents at first. Some districts have since stopped their childcare as it wasn't being utilized.
Our local providers could have the capacity to meet childcare needs and we will continue working with them to see what capacity they would be able to work.
Addressing Student Activities
Activities are still held on Monday
Explore keeping as many events off of Monday
Continue running an activities bus route, if needed.
Addressing Food & Nutrition Solutions
Food Insecurity
Backpack program
Panorama's Food Bank.
Addressing Change
All the schools we have talked with have witnessed positive changes in education. The best way to manage this change is to plan and communicate effectively.
How Would this Work at Panorama?
Final schedule is subject to change
Current Calendar
Elementary: 8:15 am - 3:15 pm (6.58 hours)
ELA Instructional Minutes: 15,480 min per year (172 days)
Math Instructional Minutes: 10,320 min per year (172 days)
MS/HS: 8:15 am - 3:15 pm (6.58 hours)
Core Class Instructional Minutes: 7,396 min per year.
25-minute lunch
Yearly Hours: 1100 hours
4-Day School Week Schedule
Day of the week with no school: Monday
School Days: 150 days, 1,103 hours
We would attend school five days a week in September. Start the four-day work week in October. We want to prioritize instruction at the start of the year rather than at the last week in May.
Mondays, throughout the year, could be used to make up hours as necessary
Still get out before Memorial Day. Tentatively May 26th.
Elementary: 8:00 am - 3:40 pm (7.67 hours)
ELA Instructional Minutes: 18,000 min per year (150 days)
Math Instructional Minutes: 10,500 min per year (150 days)
Dedicated Panther Time: Intervention is more intentional and not integrated
Dedicated Science/Social Studies time
MS/HS: 8:00 am - 3:40 pm (7.67 hours)
Core Class instructional Minutes: 8,250
25-minute lunch
No early outs for conferences
Yearly Hours: 1103 hours