HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Back-to-school season is here, and it's in full swing as Monday, July 29, 2024, will be the first day of school for the Hot Springs School District (HSSD). Not only is it the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, but it will also be the start of their new year-round school schedule.
"We're calling it a non-traditional school calendar,” said Dr. Stephanie Nehus, HSSD Superintendent.
If that start date feels a little earlier than normal— that’s because it is. However, the new start date is part of the district’s plan to give students more time off over the course of the year.
“Our students have breaks really every month as we move through this new schedule,” Dr. Nehus said. “So our first weeklong break will take place the week of Labor Day in September."
With the implementation of the new year-round schedule, the HSSD is able to give these breaks throughout the year by shortening summer break by about four weeks.
Dr. Nehus said that having more breaks during the year could help improve attendance and the mental health of both students as well as staff.
She also said the shortened summer could have its benefits as well.
"Summer learning loss is real,” Dr. Nehus explained. "We realized that shortening that summer break from about 11 weeks to seven weeks, we believe, will help our students retain that information."
As with any change, there's been some pushback— mainly from parents worried about childcare during these weeklong breaks. Dr, Nehus said the district has been working to calm those fears.
"We have several community partners that have opportunities for children on those break weeks,” She said. “We, as a district, are providing opportunities for our children too."
The new schedule isn't the only change coming to the HSSD this year— they're also using a cell phone-free program for grades K-12.
Dr. Nehus said the phone-free practice will start on the first day of school, but the school won’t get the Yondr pouches it plans to use for the phones until mid-August.
"It's all about our kids,” Dr. Nehus said. “It's all about their well-being, their focus on learning, their academic achievement, and their mental health."