Thurston County Chamber board supports North Thurston’s balanced calendar proposal
The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees announced Friday that it supports North Thurston Public Schools’ proposal to move to a balanced calendar.
A balanced calendar plan would shorten summer vacations and add longer breaks throughout the year. Students would go to school year round, but still attend school just 180 days.
According to the release, research shows that a balanced calendar improves overall academic performance in students. “Improved academic performance is accomplished by eliminating learning loss associated with long summer breaks,” the release says.
The Thurston Chamber sent out a press release on Friday announcing its board of trustees’ endorsement and encouraging other South Sound school districts to follow suit. Debra Clemens, the superintendent of the North Thurston Public Schools, sits on the Chamber’s board.
“Student success is community success,” said David Schaffert, Thurston Chamber president and CEO. “The balanced calendar is an important step toward improving academic performance for all students across the region.”
The release also contends that a balanced calendar provides better benefits for students from low-income families — disproportionately comprised of Black, indigenous and people of color — who don’t have access to private educational and enrichment activities.
“The Thurston Chamber is confident that a balanced calendar will address student equity issues, create more equitable classroom experiences, and provide better overall student achievements for the community and workforce,” the release says. “The Thurston Chamber is confident that changing the academic calendar is the right thing to do to ensure all students succeed.”
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