Why a 4 Day Week

Like many rural districts in Iowa, we're facing real challenges with attracting great teachers / educators.  Applicant pools are getting smaller for some positions, so while larger districts are able to invest, rural districts look for ways to be creative. Success is in people, so we need to look at all options to stay relevant and attractable. The four day school week conversation is gaining traction around the state and we'd like your input as a parent and a community member.  The main goal is better teacher recruitment and retention, which ultimately helps provide stability and the best education for our kids.

Benefits

How does this benefit your family?

• Time for appointments

• Time for longer family weekends

• Potential time with extended family

• Weekend extracurricular activities

• Reduces the stress for students and families of trying to get the work done within the current time restraints.

How does this benefit the school?

• Recruit and retain high-quality staff

• 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 be able to have more time to engage in work based learning activities as the state is requiring more work base learning.

Challenges

• Childcare

• Student activities

• Food and nutrition

• Change

Addressing Childcare

Schools currently operating on a 4-day week reported this was a concern amongst parents at first – but it has not been an issue to date. Our local providers could have the capacity to meet childcare needs.

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.

• No activities, including practices, will begin until 3:30 pm or later on Mondays

Addressing Food & Nutrition Solutions

Nutritional Department

• Potentially provide meals on Mondays

• Charged to student lunch account

Food Insecurity

• Backpack program

• Panorama's Food Bank.

Addressing Change

All 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

Day of the week with no school:  Monday

School Days: 151 days, 1,080 hours

• Mondays in the spring could be used to make up hours as necessary

• Spring Break will be around Easter as a longer weekend.

• Still get our before Memorial Day

Current Schedule

• Elementary: 8:15 am - 3:15 pm (6.58 hours)

• MS/HS: 8:15 am - 3:15 pm (6.58 hours)

• 25-minute lunch

4-Day School Week Schedule

• Elementary: 8:00 am - 3:40 pm (7.67 hours)

• MS/HS: 8:00 am - 3:40 pm (7.67 hours)

• 25-minute lunch

• Teacher retention and recruitment

  • Success is in the people. Most important factor in student success is the teacher

  • Recruit the best teachers.

• Improved student and staff morale; positive school climate

• Make Panorama a destination to learn and work.

• Allow for more Work Based Learning Opportunities for students.

  • Currently, there isn't a lot of time in the current schedule for students to participate in work based learning during the week.