Not all schools follow the above calendars exactly, but generally, the idea is a shortened Summer break and longer Fall and Spring Breaks.
The most significant change is only one month of Summer Break as opposed to two months. This affects all parents, in that the Guidelines presently presume each parent receives one-half of the Summer Break. Moreover, parents who exercise the suggested schedule "Where Distance Is A Major Factor" receive seven (7) weeks of the Summer Break...with a balanced calendar there may not be seven (7) weeks of Summer Break altogether. Presumably this time could be made up during the Fall and Spring Break, but doing so will require additional travel time and travel costs.
Spring Break. From two hours after the child is released from school on the child’s last day of school before Spring Break, and ending 7:00 p.m. on the last day before school begins again.
Fall Break. From two hours after the child is released from school on the child’s last day of school before Fall Break and ending 7:00 p.m. of the last day before school begins again.
Interestingly, if the foregoing is made part of the Guidelines, the parent receiving the break would receive the entire 15 days break. Another alternative for parents would be to split Fall and Spring Breaks so that each parent could have time off with the child(ren).
The best way to deal with the impact of a balanced calendar on your child and your parenting time would be to customize your parenting time plan to deal with the calendar. Doing so will likely require formal modification of the parenting time order with the Court that has jurisdiction of your case.
To discuss this further please . For more on information on parenting time, see all parenting time blog entries here. To check your school calendar, go to my Indiana Schools page here.
* The charts and explanations above are used with permission of the National Association of Year Round Education ("NAYRE"). NAYRE is a nationally recognized organization of educators, parents and businesses working to increase student achievement through its focus on creating effective time on learning. The Association promotes a balanced academic calendar to reduce learning loss and extensive review time that decreases time for new learning.
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