A huge change is being proposed for families in South Bend's Empowerment Zone schools. Zone leaders want to transition to a balanced calendar. WSBT photo. South Bend. Zone leaders say a shorter summer break with more breaks during the school year could boost student academic achievement, eliminate summer learning loss and decrease teacher burnout.
During the February 28th meeting, a group of in-person parents and teachers watched from Wilson Elementary School and dozens of others watched from Facebook.
In their proposal, the school year would begin at the end of July, there would be more breaks during the school year and the summer break would be shorter. Under the Zone's proposal, during the three-week breaks, schools would be closed during the first week. In the second week of break, intervention would be available for struggling students. In the second and third weeks of the break, day camps would be offered at the school for childcare.
Similarly, during the summer break, the zone's proposed calendar includes additional instruction during week one and day camps for students throughout the entirety of summer break.
Lewis says, adjusting the zone's school calendar in this way will allow more breaks for educators and staff and more opportunities for professional development and training.
