To the Editor:
The past year has been difficult for us all. As a father, I know personally how much effort it takes to balance work and life; with students having to work remotely, like many of us over the past year, that balance became even more difficult.
That’s why I have been working with my colleagues at the General Assembly to make the process of returning our kids to school as simple and flexible as possible. Now that students are back in classrooms, we need to look forward to the upcoming school year to ensure that we maximize the learning potential after a year of so many students falling behind.
I recently introduced legislation (HB 445) that would allow our local school board to adjust the school calendar. It’s important that we provide flexibility so that students get the most out of the upcoming year and we reduce learning loss.
These changes would also benefit students enrolled in community college courses. As it stands, those schedules do not align. We can provide more opportunities for students to enrich their education and prepare them for college.
Flexibility would also allow exams in winter to occur before a long break. Two weeks is a long time to be out of the classroom before important tests that determine grades for the semester.
At its core, this change would entrust our local community with the power to set a schedule that works best for the students, teachers and families of Chatham County.
Rep. Robert Reives II (D-Dist. 54)
Goldston
(The writer represents Chatham County and parts of Durham County in the N.C. House of Representatives and serves as House Minority Leader.)
