Parents give Catholic school board failing grade for later start once a week

A one-year pilot project that would allow Calgary Catholic School District students to sleep in once a week is not getting a lot of love from parents.

"No, they don't need more sleep," parent Brian Ekwulugo told CBC News on Thursday.

The father, who has one child in elementary school, wants more information.

"It would definitely affect the way I work. Days off would definitely change."

CBC News has reviewed a document shared with teachers that outlines the changes and rationale.

One day a week, students at all grade levels would start later in the morning. Teachers, meanwhile, would start at their regular time and use those non-teaching hours for professional development.

Some students need routine

Sarah Kidd says a later start time wouldn't work for her son.

"He is ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) so routine is really good for him," she explained.

"So starting at 11 a.m. would throw his whole day off. It's hard enough getting him here for this time. He would be into his cartoons. He would be done. Early dismissal makes more sense than later mornings."

The document states adopting the pilot project would give teachers more professional development time.

"We are seeing a greater number of teachers going on leave due to increased demands and stresses or leaving the profession altogether," the document reads.

But it's also intended to increase student sleep.

The district says 58 per cent of nearly 30,000 students reported sleep problems.

• Calgary Catholic School District opens new school for teen parents, students facing homelessness
• Calgary Catholic schools policy lets parents choose names over students' wishes

The board's chief superintendent says they understand not everyone is going to celebrate.

"We get it," Bryan Szumlas told reporters at a Thursday news conference.

"This is going to impact our families, but we are hoping that families will support us in a one-year pilot as we try to reimagine education."

He said they decided not to copy some other jurisdictions, which have positioned that embedded professional development Friday afternoon.

"At the end of the week, teachers are exhausted," Szumlas said.

"And then to put them in a setting where we expect them to be at their very best, to learn and retain and improve their profession. At the end of a really tiring week, I think that would be challenging."

'A hard time'

Hon Gonzalez has two children at the elementary level.

"We usually have normal business hours when we go into work, and dropping them off at 11 a.m. — it's going to give us a hard time," he said.

"One day a week, I don't think it will work. I think they are good with their normal school days. I don't think they need to change anything."

The document states the late start would be Mondays or Wednesdays, with longer school days, shorter lunches and fewer professional development days, as options to maintain required educational hours, set by the province.

Teachers' association not consulted

The president of Calgary Catholic Teachers' ATA Local 55 says she didn't get any advance notice of the pilot, despite being supportive of embedded professional development.

"We were never consulted," Allison McCaffrey told CBC News in an interview.

"The morning is not optimum from the calls I have received. Early dismissal is the model some other schools are using."

'It's not good'

Semhar Ghilazgy has two children in elementary and one at home.

"It's not good," she said.

"Most parents go to their job after they drop their kids."

The document states the district understands the challenges.

"We appreciate all parents for embracing this significant change."

Morning kindergarten will move to four longer days while afternoon students will have five shorter days, the document states.

The district says the pilot is based on similar programs in Finland, Singapore and Australia.

Feedback will be collected from parents and staff in early December and finalized details are expected in January.