Remsen-Union students returned to class Wednesday about a week before other schools resumed. Buses pulled into the drive about 7:30 a.m. and students hustled off to start a new school year. [Click to enlarge]

For the second year in a row, the schools started about a week earlier than other schools.

Remsen-Union Superintendent Ken Howard said 78 percent of community members surveyed in January, half-way through the 2007-08 school year, indicated they liked the new schedule.

Initially, the reason for the change was to ensure students' semester tests were completed prior to Christmas break. In previous years students took those exams following Christmas break.

"The middle and high school teachers surveyed stated that the early start saved them four or five re-teaching days," Howard said.

A favorable response from community members and teachers led to the same decision for the 2008-09 school year, he said.

"We decided to mirror the calendar from last year, but in January we'll review the staff and community members once again to see if they want to continue," Howard said.

Even with the positive feedback, Howard said he would like to see classes start about a week later because of the Iowa State Fair and late summer activities that families enjoy.

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Next January, Remsen-Union's calendar committee will study the 2009-10 school schedule and determine if a later start is possible, he said.

"I think next year's calendar will allow us to start a little later than we have been and still allow us to achieve our goal of having tests before Christmas break," Howard said.

Some parents like Erica Pepper, whose son is a kindergartner at Remsen St. Mary's school, said the new calendar hasn't really affected their children, but wonder if the change is necessary.

"I don't know that it (school) really needs to start that early," Pepper said. "It's hot."

Last year there was also concern that it may be too hot to return to school in mid-August.

To help with that and the transition back into the classroom, students were dismissed at 1:25 p.m. for the first three days.

The schools will follow that schedule this year as well.

"Last year we got out twice due to excessive heat," Howard said. "Looking at the upcoming forecast of lows in the mid-80s, it looks good to me as superintendent."

Along with concerns, a year later, many parents agree the schedule change has been positive for their sons and daughters.

Laurie Bohnenkamp, who coaches dance at Remsen-Union, said the early start doesn't interrupt her son's summer plans.

"We still had quite a few weeks left before school started for him to do things he wanted to do," Bohnenkamp said.

Pam Langel, who has children in preschool, elementary, middle and high school in Remsen this fall, said she likes that classes start early in the fall and then are out early in the spring.

"I think the kids are ready to go back after a certain point," Langel said. "It gets to a point where they are getting bored."

She also "definitely" agrees that having semester tests prior to Christmas vacation is better.

"The kids can relax during the break, enjoy family and start again after the break," Langel said.

The only challenge she's encountered is getting her children used to going to bed when it's still light outside.

"The bedtime routine, you have to work on that," Langel said. "It takes two or three days of school and then they are tired at night."

Back to School

Kingsley-Pierson Schools start Aug. 18.

Le Mars Community Schools, Aug. 21

Gehlen Catholic School, Aug. 21

Akron-Westfield Schools, Aug. 21

Hinton Community School, Aug. 25