December 14, 2013 - 10:20 AM
STUDENTS MAY GET A SHORTER LUNCH BREAK
KAMLOOPS – Parents could have a lot more planning, and higher childcare costs, next year if the Kamloops Thompson School District Board of Education decides to accept the recommendation to go to a 2 week spring break.
A school board calendar for the school years 2014/2015 through 2016/2017 shows a two week spring break. Sun Peaks Elementary is the only exception. The school is on a four day week and would need further review before the spring break was expanded.
Superintendent of Schools Terry Sullivan would also like to see a district committee of principals and teaching staff to review the implementation of the longer break.
A committee of district and school administration would also be created to work with staff and community organizations to develop and implement educational programs for Kindergarten through Grade 12 students during the two week break.
One of the concerns with going to a longer break was making sure all the required educational hours are still met. To address that issue, a slightly shorter lunch break is being proposed at all grade levels.
Sullivan notes in the report to the board that even with board approval, the Kamloops Thompson Teachers Association and the CUPE Local 2500 would have to approve the changes. The longer break idea has already been presented to the teachers association, union, board members and principals.
The district began looking at the idea back in the spring, and after a public consultation in March, the education committee presented the idea to the board. The board asked the committee to look at the cost of transitioning to two weeks, the impact on staff and the options for students out of school during the extra week. The hope is to have the board make a final decision by early in the year.
To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013