Vanderholm introduces "Balanced Calendar"

RITZVILLE — School Superintendent Don Vanderholm introduced the idea of year-round school, called "Balanced Calendar," to Lind and Ritzville School Board members May 26.

Vanderholm said when he first heard of the idea, he wasn't at all for it; but the data he looked at was all positive.

"It showed how kids go forward, then summer comes and they go further behind and the gap gets bigger," Vanderholm said. "With Balanced Calendar, the gap gets narrower."

Vanderholm said schools operating on the Balanced Calendar take a four-week break three times a year, or take two six-week breaks, so there would still be three months off.

"People said they loved it, and wouldn't go back. When they had to go back, they couldn't wait to go back to the Balanced Calendar," Vanderholm said. "They said the four-week break really refreshes them, and kids want to go back to school. In the summer, they start to get bored and restless. The state is really starting to encourage districts to look at it further."

Vanderholm said the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has dedicated several million dollars for districts that want to try it.

Asked how that would enfold, Vanderholm said there would be more OSPI presentations in the future.

"They will probably have some resources to do community presentations," Vanderholm said. "OSPI is funding school districts in pilot programs for two to three years."

In other news, board directors heard both Lind and Ritzville Elementary Schools will be holding short summer school sessions in August. Ritzville Grade School will hold theirs for six days, and Lind Grade School will hold nine, three-hour days.

Asked if six or nine days of summer school is going to help, Lind Middle School Principal Darrell Lembcke replied, "We are anticipating it to really help."

Attendance will be limited, due to lack of staff.

"All of summer schools will be coordinated in August so we can offer transportation and do meals," Vanderholm said. "Getting staff to work is a big deal, so we appreciate those willing to step forward."