LA Archdiocese backing off longer school year, leaving decision to individual campuses
Published Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has backed away from a plan to add 20 days to the calendar for its elementary schools.
Cardinal Roger Mahony announced last week that the archdiocese would become the first school system in California to move to a 200-day academic year. Mahoney said the idea was to improve student performance.
The change would have affected some 52,000 students in three counties.
But some parents complained that would disrupt family schedules.
On Tuesday, Chancellor Mary Elizabeth Galt said the decision on whether to add instructional days will be left up to the 210 elementary schools.
St. Madeleine Catholic School in Pomona is expected to go to the 200-day calendar, said Principal Adela Solis.
A longer school year may present a challenge for some families.
"Different parents have different concerns," Solis said.
Some families may have family vacation plans for the summer and others may have plans for their children's summer vacation, she said.
"Some parents like to put (their children) in enrichment programs for the summer," Solis said.
Solis said that St. Madeleine parents she has spoken to have welcomed the longer school year, she said.
Students this summer will have a two-month break. Students will complete the school year in mid-June and return to classes in mid-August, Solis said. The following summer vacation will be about six weeks long.
Students who attend summer school will have a shorter summer this year.
"They'll be here four or five weeks of summer," Solis said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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