Year-round school starts at Imagine

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Students at Imagine on Broadway went back to class Tuesday and started year-round school.

The new calendar is designed to give kids a three week break about every eight weeks. It's the only school in our area to launch that type of schedule.

"I'm super excited," said parent Amber Fletcher. "My daughter hates that it has summer breaks. She always cries every year when school's over so I'm excited!"

She's also looking forward to some of the other benefits of her daughter being in school year-round. "Not having to find a babysitter for those weeks at a time, it's easier on the pocketbook. It breaks it up throughout the year," explained Fletcher.

Some parents who also have children in other schools are a little worried. "I have mixed feelings about it. It's kind of hard because I have another child in another grade so we have to juggle three schedules now," said Anthony Gray.

While some could see the breaks throughout the year as mini- vacations, administrators say that's not the case. They hope parents and students seize the opportunity.

"We will send work home with our students so we can keep their skills sharp over the intercession periods if they choose not to be a part of Star Camp or Sunshine Remediating," said Imagine Principal Ra'Chelle Spearman.

Star Camp is an optional enrichment program through the YMCA. It's offered on the weeks the kids aren't in school. Tutoring is also available from 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

"It's not a vacation by far," Imagine Principal Ra'Chelle Spearman said. "The kids will be actually be working on their skills, enriching their skill sets through science, through technology, through art, and through recreation."

School leaders hope the schedule keeps teachers and students refreshed and ready to learn. "We also did it to boost our attendance to boost student morale, teacher morale. It's about that October time that everyone needs a break anyway so we wanted to just keep the kids fresh and focused on learning and not have long periods of time where they're just waiting for a break," said Spearman.

 One of the he three week long breaks will take place in October, another around the holidays and one in the Spring. The last day is June 22, which means summer break is only six weeks long.