District Administrator's Corner

by Loren Glasbrenner,  River Valley School District Administrator Within the last days of school—as the year was coming to a close, as graduations and recognitions were planned and speeches prepared, as final exams were being completed, and final class projects getting polished—teachers can notice it is a difficult time for students. This is not just due to the deadlines or the work, it is often due to the changes that are about to take place. School is a safe and predictable space for most students. The repetition of greetings, scheduled activities, and paced time allows many students to be calm. Kids value classrooms which run with a smooth schedule and structure. And, summer can create a sense of uneasiness for some kids.  Familiar steps in a day can provide comfort for both adults and children during challenging and uncertain times, like the year we have been experiencing. Just like adults, children feel more confident and secure when their daily activities are predictable and familiar. A consistent daily schedule and step-by-step routines give children a predictable day. It allows students to feel in control of their environment. Again, just like the adults, kids like to know what is happening and what comes next. It helps them to engage in learning, and be more productive. And then, summer break hits. Summer break has been a long tradition in American schools. The months of rest and relaxation have become expected, but this was not always true. Originally, a school calendar was created to assist the families that lived near the school. And in the River Valley area, the school calendar does have agrarian roots. Historically in rural America, kids were needed for spring planting and fall harvest. And, many family farms still thrive due to family members contributing during summer recess. Yet, as reported in this Public Broadcasting System (PBS) post, many early suburban schools were open year round and offered students scheduled activities throughout the year (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/debunking-myth-summer-vacation). Whether the calendar still meets the needs of American education, is debated widely and often. The River Valley School District does wish all our students and families much deserved rest and relaxation. It is a balance of staying busy and enjoying down time. Here are some inexpensive local resources that might be fun for our families if they need to stay cool. • Lone Rock Splash Pad (10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in Fireman’s Park). • White Mound County Park (Hiking, swimming, kayaking). • Spring Green Pool (1 to 4:30 p.m., 6 to 8 p.m. daily, weekends 1 to 6 p.m., in North Park). • Plain Swimming Pool (1 to 5 p.m., 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily, in Plain Municipal Park). • Arena Community Park (Daily open from dawn until dusk). • Village of Plain Community Park (Daily open from dawn until dusk). • Lone Rock Library - 234 North Broadway Street. • Spring Green Community Library - 230 East Monroe Street. • Kraemer Library and Community Center - 910 Main Street. As always, it will be a busy summer in our buildings with summer school and preparing for fall. Please reach out anytime if you have questions—lglasbrenner@rvschools.org. I am happy to find the resources or answers to help.