Southwest Washington Education (K-12)

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4 Day School Week?

KPQ.com for the original article

I feel like since the dawn of me being born, I have heard people talking about shortening the work week, and only working 4-days a week. Did I ever think it would happen? Nope. But it is!

4-Day Work Schedules are being implemented all around the world.

“Iceland. Cold little Iceland – a country with just over 350,000 people living in it – actually has more workers working a four-day workweek than almost anywhere else in the world.” – Source

What about our schools though? Are 4-day Schools days going to be a norm?

While we still have a while before that becomes a “norm,” BUT there are multiple schools already in Washington State who have a 4-day School Week.

Let’s take a deeper dive though. What are some Pros and Cons?

We will go ahead and start with the Cons.

CONS OF A 4-DAY SCHOOL WEEK

  • Minimal Savings
  • While the schools might save money, you may have to dish out more for childcare.
  • Daycare Issues
    • Again, having to go find childcare can be an issue, if you school is planning on shortening the school week, see if there are options for “at-school care.”
  • Longer Days
    • Longer days on adults can be tough, so imagine the kiddos having a long day. Not so easy.

PROS FOR A 4-DAY SCHOOL WEEK

  • Life Skills
    • More opportunity for life skills to be implemented. Like being able to take a 3-day camping trip and getting that extra day in to learn how to tie knots, learn how to fish, the list goes on.
  • Schools will Save Money
  • The budgets won’t have to be cut as deep if a school levy doesn’t pass. There’s one plus. In Florida, one school saved 0.7% just by reducing 1 day.
  • Productivity
    • Deadlines are shorter now, so this means we have to utilize every minute to ensure all is done in a timely manner to be able to enjoy that extra day.

Enrollment

  • With a 4-day school week, more students might opt to enroll in said school.
  • Life doesn’t stop for Ag. Workers though.

Let’s face it, Eastern WA is a farming community as a whole, from the Plateau of Waterville to the tributaries of the Columbia River, how in the world could we get that schedule to match up with a school schedule? You can’t.

Pateros School district in Okanogan County has been the latest school on my radar to imply, implementing a 4-day school week.

“In this competitive process, only 30 schools’ applications would be accepted. Pateros will collaborate with students, families, staff and community. All stakeholders will have the opportunity to share their opinions. If there is overall support, it will be presented to the school board for consideration at the April 29th board meeting. The board’s recommendation will determine whether or not we submit an application for consideration by the state.” –Source

For more information as to how Pateros School district will proceed and decide, Here’s the FAQ Sheet.

So…does a 4 day school week work for everyone or only select districts? What say you?

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