March break: Cape schools consider cutting Feb., April vacations in name of ‘educational continuity’

CAPE ELIZABETH — The traditional winter and spring vacations from school are on the chopping block in Cape Elizabeth, in favor of a single, extended break in March.

According to first year Superintendent Meredith Nadeau, the move was suggested by “a couple of different individuals” on staff, who claim it would enhance “educational continuity.” In other words, one vacation between January and June, instead of two, means more consecutive days in class, and the hope that would translate into greater success on tests.

“I’m not aware of any district in Maine that has taken on this calendar, but there certainly have been perennial conversations around the idea,” said Nadeau. “Everybody kind of wants to see who’s going to make the first move.”

Before any move is made, however, school officials want to take public comment. Residents are asked to email their reaction to calendar@capeelizabethschools.org, or else provide feedback by calling the superintendent’s office at 799-2217. As of Tuesday, about 50 comments had been been submitted, said Nadeau.

The two proposals on the table for the 2012-2013 school year include a traditional approach and the new March vacation system. Both would include the 175 class days required by state law, ranging from Sept. 4 to June 19 (assuming all five “snow days” are used.)

Under the traditional calendar, there would be a four-day break from Tuesday, Feb. 19 to Friday, Feb. 22, for a full week off when the Feb. 18 Presidents Day holiday is thrown in. The second break would last from Friday, April 12 to Friday, April 19, including Patriots Day on April 15.

The single-vacation proposal would still give time off for Presidents Day, Patriots Day and April 12, but the longer breaks would be consolidated into a single vacation lasting eight school days, from Wednesday, March 6 to Friday, March 15.

The new system would not impact grading periods for the high school, which is on a semester schedule. However, there may be “some minor” alterations to when report cards would be issued at the middle school, which does its academic work according to a trimester routine.

Nadeau says the teacher’s union has been receptive to the proposed change, which can be made unilaterally, without approval from the Department of Education. Baring a vocal chord of discontent from the community, the only stumbling block might be placed by the Portland Arts& Technology High School (PATHS), which some Cape students attend for career and technical training.

State education department rules dictate that the PATHS’ academic calendar may differ by no more than nine days from any of the partner school districts within its 60-mile service radius. PATHS has yet to issue its 2012-2013 calendar, says Nadeau, and much will depend on who it blends with Cape’s March vacation proposal.

“We certainly won’t issue a calendar that does not meet the statute,” said Nadeau.

The public also is invited to participate in one of two community forums this week, at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Jan. 26 and at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28. Both meetings will take place in the Pond Cove/Middle School cafetorium, and although attendees may raise the calendar proposal, the sessions are meant to be workshops on the district’s mission statement, last updated 10 years ago.

                 

“Its possible that the [calendar] topic might come up, but it certainly wont be the focus,” said Nadeau. “These meetings really are meant to be an opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders to share their hopes and dreams for student outcomes and expectations for the schools' work, as well as perspectives on the schools' strengths, challenges and opportunities.”

"Our target date is to try to bring a revised vision and mission statement back to the [school] board for the March meeting," said Nadeau. "We'll see how that goes. It's not a simple process, but preparing a mission and vision statement is the foundation work, really. It helps to give a sense of finding out that everybody is on the same page. It finds out what the big ideas are and helps with aligning budget priorities.  

“Events like this tend to be very energizing and invigorating for everyone involved,” she said.

"It should be an interesting opportunity to hear what our community thinks about where our schools should be and what it values,” agreed School Board Chairman Mary Townsend. “I'll look forward to attending at least one of those [sessions].”