Extra half-hour is optional for Laconia High students

Yesterday was the first day in which Laconia's schools remained in session for an extra half-hour in accordance with the plan Superintendent Bob Champlin crafted so that students — and staff — can avoid being in school until the end of June. With the five days subtracted, the district is eyeing June 18 as the last day of school.

For elementary and middle school students, the half-hour is compulsory. For high school students, though, the extra time in school will be an option.

How many students will choose to extend their school day, especially as spring weather arrives? Principal Steve Beals said yesterday it depends on how well teachers do in planning after-school activities that are attractive to students.

While the extra time is optional to students, teachers will have no choice but to stay. Beals said the dismissal bell will continue to ring at 2:05 p.m., and teachers, who used to be required by contract to stay until 2:35, will now have to stay for an hour after dismissal. Beals said the teachers showed "broad-based support" for the initiative, as they weren't any more interested than students in staying in school until late June.

Beals noted that his own family has a tradition of taking a late-June vacation, and that many education professionals have built similar family traditions.

The after-school activities that teachers are required to create will be directed to one of what Beals called the "Three 'E's: extra help, extra credit, or enrichment." Possible activities could include academic support, or pursuits that a student can't engage in during a normal school day, such as yoga or a walking club. "Let's market some fun things for them to do," he said.

As the plan for the district was only crafted last week, high school staff are still figuring out what sort of options will entice students to stay in school longer than they absolutely have to.

Why not make this extra time compulsory like it is at the elementary and middle school levels?

Beals said, unlike other grade levels, there are too many "extenuating circumstances" in a teenager's life, such as work, family commitments, or other after-school engagements, that would make such an additional requirement unfeasible.

Beals declined to estimate how many students would take advantage of the opportunity of an extra half-hour with a teacher. "I am totally supportive of kids and faculty getting out before the end of June," he said. The district will compile participation data for the remaining weeks of the school year to determine if this solution could work in future years."

The Laconia plan needed and received approval from the state Department of Education because children in grades 1 through 11 are required to be in school 180 days.