Thanks & Target>year-round schools

[Karen Chepko <kchepko@GARNET.ACNS.FSU.EDU>]

Happy Holidays!!

Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for information about
Chamonix!  The teachers and students are becoming firm believers in
Internet when they get help like that!

Here's another Target>.  I am in a middle school with 850+ students.  We
are hoping to try a year round approach late next summer.  It will
initially be on a strictly voluntary basis. The administration predicts
about 1/3 of the students will participate, leaving the rest with a
traditional calendar. The teachers in the 12 week on, 3 week off program
can use the 3 weeks for planning, teaching remedial classes, substituting
in the traditional school, or relaxing, depending on personal and
professional needs.

I think this would be rather nice but I do see two problems.  First, many
teachers take classes in summer school for certification and advancement.
It is likely that they will not be given time off for this in the year
round school.  Second, what schedule with the media specialist (me) and
the aide be used?  Last year the certification committee recommended
that we hire a second media specialist but there is no money, therefore
no chance!  If the aide and I spread out our schedules, we will be
working alone quite a bit which would be impossible.  If we keep the same
one there will be periods of time with nobody in the media center.

Does anyone out there work in a similar situation?  I'd love to hear how
you handle it (or how you think it _should_ be handled if you aren't
involved in something like this.)  Thanks!

Karen Chepko
kchepko@garnet.acns.fsu.edu