Returning to a Traditional School Year Are you unhappy with your school districts' current school calendar? Would you like to help influence change? The process is normally painless and consumes a minimal amount of time. The following tips have been compiled from parents around the nation who have fought the school calendar battle and won. If you need help or have questions, don't hesitate to contact Save Indiana Summers, we are here to help you. JOIN THE FIGHT! Step One - Gather the Facts Call the superintendent's office and ask how and when the calendar is decided. Is there a committee and if so, who comprises it, or is the calendar drafted by the administration? Call your school board representative and ask for their stance on the current school calandar. Step Two - Vocalizing Your Views Send a certified
letter to the superintendent and your school board representative outlining
your dislike of the current calendar and offer a suggestion for a different
calendar.In the same letter, volunteer to serve on the calendar committee
and consider including a sample calendar. Share research with school
board members that support your beliefs Reasons might include:
Step Three - Empower Others Consider coordinating an information campaign. Distribute flyers with sample calendars and information regarding the negative impact of the early-August school start date. Coordinate a petition drive or postcard drive to help inform the school board of parents' desire for a later school start date. (Downloadable petitions can be found in the Grassroots Tools section of our web site.) Write a letter to the editor encouraging parents to get involved. Call the local education
reporter at your newspaper and TV stations. Explain to them the efforts
of the parents to return to a traditional school year. Share research
and the activities of the group.
Step Four - Share Your Results Via a public information request, ask for any correspondence received regarding the school calendar. This will enable you to get copies of postcards or letters sent to the district of which you were unaware. Share the results of your petition drive with the superintendent and school board members. Make copies of all postcards and petitions and send to each member of the school board. Also share your results at the school board meeting before the calendar is set for vote. Send a summary of your results to the local media. Let them know the community supports a later start date.
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