UPDATE: The Thompson School District has just announced a significant shift in the school year calendar to address rising concerns over early fall heat. Effective from the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, the first day of school will now commence one week later, with the last day of school also being postponed by a week, maintaining the tradition of concluding before Memorial Day.
This urgent decision was made after extensive discussions at a recent board meeting and reflects the district’s commitment to student health amid increasing temperatures. District officials revealed that many schools lack adequate air conditioning, leading to uncomfortable learning environments and even “heat days” where classes were canceled due to extreme temperatures.
Superintendent Bret Heller emphasized the importance of this change, stating that it directly responds to feedback from families and educators concerned about the impact of heat on student learning. “By starting later, we minimize the number of school days spent in the hottest part of the year,” Heller explained.
The newly approved calendar was influenced by similar adjustments made by the Poudre School District, highlighting a growing trend among educational institutions prioritizing student comfort. While the last day of school will still fall before the holiday weekend, officials are aware that this shift creates challenges, particularly regarding the balance of instructional days across semesters.
Heller noted that the first semester will now contain fewer days compared to the second, a change that may complicate scheduling for high school teachers. “If you end before winter break, it locks in a lot of things,” he cautioned, referencing concerns from high school staff during the planning process.
The unanimous vote by the board to approve these changes reflects a commitment to ongoing improvement. Board President Stu Boyd expressed strong support for the calendar committee’s recommendations, highlighting their thorough examination of various options. “I’m confident that they’ve done their homework,” Boyd said.
As the district prepares for these upcoming changes, families and educators are urged to review the complete calendar available on the Thompson School District website. This proactive approach aims to foster a healthier, more conducive learning environment for students while preserving essential holiday breaks.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the new school year approaches.
