Schools consider changing to 4 day weeks

Big Spring High School should have a 4 day school week. Shorter school weeks offer several benefits, including improved student attendance, increased teacher morale and cost savings. With the reduction of school days, schools will save money, transportation, food and energy costs. Student mental health increases because of less stress and more sleep. There was a study formed by students in Colorado which proved to show a significant increase in math scores in a 4 day week compared to 5 day week. Longer weekends give the students and teachers more time to rest. The extra day will give teachers more time to plan lessons and grade assignments. Many schools around the country have already switched to 4 day weeks in effort to improve students’ performance in school. Another study also found that with 4 day weeks there was decreased bullying and fighting among students. As of 2019 over 650 districts in 24 states are using a 4 day week. A Pennsylvania lawmaker Roni Green to lower the work day week from 5 to 4. Hoping a new trend in Pennsylvania schools catch onto it. According to abc27.com, “The bill suggests that cutting a day off of the work calendar would help workers balance mental and physical health.” Schools could either run school Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday. The cost of a 4 day school week would be a longer school year. Most teachers and staff would say they have mixed feelings about the 4 day school week. Four day weeks aren’t off the table for schools in Pennsylvania. Mostly the West, Southwest and Midwest parts of the country. A student from Bellefonte High School stated, “I feel like a four day week would be better so then you won’t be so drained out by the end,” Trey Engelbarts said. Bringing a 4 day week into high schoolers life will help with mental and physical health. With that one extra day it doesn’t only benefit the students it benefits the teacher to have that extra planning time for next lessons. Bring 4 day weeks to Big Spring High School for a better performance in school.