Reprinted from an e-mail correspondence dated January 22, 2010

Michele Radke, TTE Principal
Molly Gnaegy, TTE Assistant Principal

Douglas County School District has reviewed its calendar assignments for next school year and has determined that Timber Trail Elementary will depart from the year round calendar beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.

Recent developments have resulted in calendar changes for several schools and we are one of those impacted. Even though DCSD has grown faster than any other Colorado school district since 1989, the District’s rate of growth has slowed significantly over the past several years.

In addition to the lower student projections, three new schools are opening next year. One school was funded through 2006 bond funds and the other two schools were not planned openings, but impact student numbers. Two of our feeder areas have moved sixth graders into the middle schools which redistributes student numbers as well. Finally, a reevaluation of student capacity at our existing schools has impacted the calendar assignments. The move off of a year round calendar will result in operational savings to the District during a challenging economic time for all K-12 schools in Colorado.

Our school, regardless of calendar, will continue offering a tremendous education for our children. The move to a modified or traditional calendar will simply allow our families to follow a more consistent schedule and bring our community closer together!

What does the calendar change mean for you and your children this year?

We will complete the four-track calendar for the 2009-2010 school year as planned. The last day of school for Track A is May 28, 2010. Tracks B, C, and D finish on June 22, 2010.

What does the calendar change mean for the 2010-2011 year?

DCSD currently operates two traditional calendars: modified and conventional. Both calendars are very similar; one schedule is offered for all children in the school and the need for tracks is eliminated. The 2010-2011 calendar can be referenced on the Douglas County website (www.dcsdk12.org) by selecting the “calendars and maps” link in the left navigation bar. We have attempted to outline the positives of both calendars:

Modified:

Learning progresses at a more consistent pace due to a shorter summer break
This is a positive transition calendar for students who are accustomed to the 4-track 9 week cycle

Provides two week breaks in fall and spring so that both staff and students can fully refresh and be ready for learning upon returning

Families have an opportunity to take vacations during the second week at an off-peak travel time, or can extend their vacation beyond one week; which may improve attendance due to missed school for family vacations

The two week break allows some students to have a longer opportunity to make-up work over the break before the trimester endsne week of the two breaks aligns with the fall and spring breaks of middle and high school; winter break aligns fully with middle and high school

Provides parents with a few days of additional time with either elementary or secondary students when their younger or older sibling is off

All students in the elementary school follow the same calendar

Teachers and parents who have “lived” this calendar report high satisfaction (it was actually a parent on the district’s calendar committee who helped prevent the modified calendar from being phased out)

Offers the opportunity to gain some of the benefits of year-round education without the drawback of multiple schedules

All new schools opening in the past year have selected this calendar

22 Douglas County elementary schools are currently on this calendar

Conventional:

Is the accepted calendar for all middle schools and high schools in Douglas County

Offers families the opportunity to have all elementary and secondary students on identical calendars

Begins three days later than the modified schedule in 2010-2011

The calendar ends in late May rather than the first week of June

All students in the elementary school follow the same calendar

Summer break is roughly two weeks longer

17 Douglas County elementary schools are on this calendar

The process for selecting our calendar for the 2010-2011 school year, (modified or traditional) will be addressed at our next SAC meeting scheduled for February 2 at 6:00 pm. The process begins with a staff survey that was completed today, January 22. The results of the staff survey show an overwhelming majority in favor of a modified calendar over a traditional calendar. The next step of the process is a community survey that will be mailed directly to families in the next two weeks.

We look forward to seeing you at the SAC meeting Tuesday, February 2 at 6:00 pm where you will receive and give input on budget issues calendar choice.