Four On, Three Off School Week

That fact is more and more school districts around the nation are opting to go for the four-day school week, longer hours per day, but one day shorter each week.

The reason may be obvious, might be subtle in many respects. Likely it was initiated during the need for budget cuts, a need brought to the foreground in 2008 when the American economy all but turned upside down.

Going to a four-day school week would eliminate the cost of bus drivers on that extra fifth day. Aside from drivers, there were a number of other apparent shavings made available in this at first exploratory decision.

Bonners Ferry has been under this practice since that fateful year, though the Pend Oreille School District south in Bonner County is not.

People differ on their opinions on whether this format is beneficial, but there are some interesting points to be made.

The students I spoke with are top performing students. Two are valedictorians at the high school, one a highly achieving sixth grade student at the middle school. In retrospect, it may have been somewhat of an error to ask for top of the class students for the interview, but I say that only because these three are innovative, creative and on the academic side, hardworking, ethical kids. I might have had a more true picture had I randomly selected, but I did what I did.

The three students I spoke with are Tanner Liermann, a senior Valedictorian, Erica Wood, also a senior Valedictorian, and middle school student, Sierra Petesch who is in the sixth grade. I found them each delightful, very intelligent and for the most part pleased to have a four-day school week; I think because they utilize the extra day proactively following special interests, working or learning on their own or under some form of tutorage. But that’s not the case for all students.

Paula Petesch, Sierra’s mom, is an elementary school teacher and the last person with whom I spoke. She made a comment that I think is key to understanding that this new structure has some weaknesses and may not be the best for kindergarten and elementary students because, she said, this age bracket has less attention span during the long haul of a dark to dark winter school day. “And many of them don’t retain what they learned at school with a three-day gap.” This fact, it seems, could set them up for a tougher time when they reach higher levels of education.

Senior Erica Wood said in her case, “There’s never a dull moment.” She likes having a longer weekend because “there’s so much to do.” She’s proactive.

Tanner Liermann felt the same way. He uses the extra day both for added income, sometimes homework. That allows him more time for hunting and outdoor activity both of which he exhibits a passion.

Even Sierra Petesch found plenty to do and, though she’s never experienced a five-day school week, likes the extra time at home with her family. As Steve and Paula Petesch have the same schedule (Steve is a forester), they can do things together as a family.

But many families have both parents working five-day work weeks, setting up a daycare or unsupervised home situation.

That’s the report so far. With limited space and new insights, we may have to visit this topic again in the future.

Dwayne Parsons is a Realtor with Century 21 Beutler & Associates in Coeur d’Alene working primarily in Boundary County. He can be reached for comment at dparsons@21goldchoice.com.

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