Option A: Keep the Current Calendar (No Additional Weeks)

Students continue with the existing school schedule.

What this means:

  • School year remains August–May

  • Summer break remains the same length

  • No additional learning weeks added

 

Option B: Extended School Year (ESY)

Students attend school mostly as they do now, plus additional learning weeks during the summer.

What the year could look like (2027–2028):

  • Regular school year (August–May) on a Monday-Friday full-day schedule

  • PLUS 4 weeks of summer learning on a Monday-Thursday schedule with shorter days  (e.g., 8:30 AM- 12:30 PM)

  • Focus on core skills and enrichment

Things families may want to plan for:

  • Shorter summer break

  • Adjusting camps, childcare, or travel

 

Option C: Year-Round School (YRS)

Students attend school the whole year with more frequent breaks.

What the year could look like (2027–2028):

  • School year would be July through August on a Monday-Friday full-day schedule 

  • Shorter summer break

  • Several 2–3 week breaks during fall, winter, and spring

  • School divided into learning blocks followed by breaks

  • Same total learning time, spread across the year

Things families may want to plan for:

  • Different vacation timing than traditional calendars

  • Childcare during breaks

  • Adjusting to a new routine

Based on this information, please answer the following questions. Thank you for your input!

How many children in your home do you expect will attend Gibson Elementary during the 2027-2028 school year?
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After reviewing the options, which calendar type is your top choice for the 2027-2028 Gibson school year?
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How strongly do you support your top choice?
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How manageable would each option be for your household?
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How do you think each calendar would affect your child's / children's attendance?
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Thinking about childcare needs, which of the following best describes your situation?
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Based on what you know now, how do you think additional learning time would affect your child(ren)?
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What, if anything, would make you more comfortable with a calendar change? Select all that apply.
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Is there anything else we should know before we make this decision?

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. EA Gibson's ESY/YRS Program would be considered a Choice Program. Students enrolled at Gibson would automatically attend.

No. Parents/guardians would not incur any additional costs for the ESY/YRS program.

Yes. Both transportation and meals would be provided for students.

If Danville Public Schools chooses to proceed with one of the Choice Programs (ESY or YRS), the anticipated start would be the 2027-2028 school year.

By reducing the summer break, either model minimizes the 'summer slide,' or the possibility that students forget school curriculum during long breaks. Our goal is to increase the academic achievement of students and improve attendance.

Parents/guardians may need to adjust to finding childcare for shorter "intersession" breaks throughout the year rather than during one long summer break.

Have other questions?

Reach out to Annastasia Broomell:

abroomell@mail.dps.k12.va.us