Tuesday is the first day of the school year at Sheridan Elementary School in Junction City. Classes will be in session from 8 a.m. until 11:25 a.m. There will be a full day of classes beginning Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Dixie Coleman, Sheridan Principal, said they are piloting the district's alternative calendar. "It's a calendar that allows us to have some breaks in between quarters. Still have a full summer, still have all the other holidays but gives us time to reset, look at data, do some intensive tutoring with students."
The first week long break for students will occur at the end of the first week of October. Childcare will be provided via partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. There would be a one week break in January plus the Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring breaks. The final day of the school year would be May 19th.
Other elementary schools and the middle schools in the USD 475 begin classes Aug. 11. Junction City High School starts Aug. 25.
If the pilot program works at Sheridan, this model could possibly be implemented in the entire district in the 2022-2023 school year, but no final action has been taken.