Lafayette elementary school to become first in Indiana with a 4-day week

Note: The above video is from our Feb. 2023 coverage of when the school was considering the change.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — An elementary school in Lafayette is making a change no Indiana public school has before.

The Lafayette School Corp. Board of Trustees voted Wednesday night to approve a four-day school week for Vinton Elementary School.

Students at Vinton will now attend classes from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays, the school board said. The change will take effect in August of this year.

“This adjustment comes after careful consideration and planning, aiming to enhance the overall educational experience for our students while promoting a healthy work-life balance for families and staff alike,” the board said in a release Thursday.

The Indiana State Board of Education has approved a waiver allowing the change for the next three years. The change makes Vinton the first public school in the state to operate on a four-day week.

For any parents or community members concerned with the change, the school board and Vinton administration will host information meetings at the school. The meetings will be held at:

• 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24,
• 4 p.m. on Monday, April 29, and
• 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 2.

During the meeting, parents will be given “detailed explanations” on how the change will be implemented. All families, even those outside the district, are being encouraged to attend.

Furthermore, the board said that any parents who feel the new schedule does not align with their needs will have the option to transfer to a different LSC elementary school.

The school board provided the following statement regarding the change:

“ Lafayette School Corp. is thrilled about the opportunities this transition presents for our school community. We believe that the four-day week will not only provide students with enhanced learning experiences but also allow for more meaningful family time and opportunities for extracurricular activities. Together, we are embarking on an exciting journey toward a brighter future for our students and families. “

For more information on how to contact the school, click here .

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