Sun West schools to pilot longer days, fewer classroom dates

By Your Southwest Media Group

Schools in Harris and Dinsmore are among six in the region where students will stay in class about 25 minutes longer, but attend on fewer days during the next two school years.

“Instructional time will meet or exceed provincial requirements, and curriculum, learning outcomes and assessment practices will remain unchanged,” a Sun West School Division statement said. The alternate calendar pilot project starts this fall.

Kyle, Kenaston, Davidson and Beechy schools will also take part in the project to determine whether the change improves attendance and helps the division hire and retain teachers, among other objectives.

“Each school met the criteria for participation through a locally driven and collaborative decision-making process,” the statement said.

The project “reflects our commitment to cultivating a learning community that empowers, innovates and inspires all learners,” Sun West education director Darryl Seguin said.