UPDATE: The Thompson School District has just announced significant changes to its school calendar for the next two academic years in response to rising temperatures. Starting with the upcoming school year, the first day of classes will shift to a week later, while the last day will also be postponed by a week, ensuring students finish before Memorial Day.
This change comes after numerous complaints about extreme heat affecting classrooms, particularly in schools lacking air conditioning. Authorities confirmed this adjustment aims to reduce the number of “heat days” when classes were canceled due to unbearable conditions.
School officials noted that the decision, approved unanimously during the board’s last public meeting in December 2023, reflects feedback from families concerned about early fall heat. The district had previously introduced heat days, prompting urgent discussions about alternative solutions.
“It is crucial to keep the last day of school in May, just before Memorial Day, to accommodate families,” stated Bret Heller, Superintendent of Thompson School District. The new calendar will still ensure that the academic year wraps up before June, allowing families to enjoy the holiday weekend together.
While this adjustment addresses heat concerns, it has also raised questions about the balance of instructional time across semesters. The first semester will now have fewer days, while the second semester will be extended. Heller emphasized that maintaining the winter break as the dividing line between semesters was a priority.
“If classes end before winter break, it locks in a lot of things for our students,” Heller explained at last month’s study session. He acknowledged that high school educators expressed reservations about the semester imbalance, but many felt the benefits of the calendar changes outweighed the drawbacks.
Board President Stu Boyd expressed his support for the calendar modifications, praising the calendar committee for their extensive research. “I’m confident they’ve done their homework,” Boyd stated, highlighting the collaborative effort to find solutions that prioritize student health and educational integrity.
The Poudre School District has implemented similar calendar changes, reflecting a growing trend among educational institutions to adapt to climate challenges. As schools across the region face the realities of rising summer temperatures, many are re-evaluating their calendars to protect student well-being.
Families are encouraged to view the new academic calendars on the Thompson School District website for more details. As the school year approaches, the community will be watching closely to see how these changes impact student and teacher experiences amid the ongoing challenges of heat management in schools.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops and the district implements these crucial changes. This adjustment not only affects educational scheduling but also plays a significant role in ensuring students’ health and safety in the classroom.
