Why Northview is Starting School Early

By Kennedy Purcey

Northview staff and students received the news that the 2017-2018 school year will be starting on August 28, a week earlier than we are accustomed. 

In 2006 a law was established in Michigan that prohibited schools from starting before Labor Day because of tourism. The only way this law can be bypassed is if schools get a waiver from the state superintendent. Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) proposed a waiver for every school in Kent County to start the 2017-18 school year early, and it was ratified. After it was accepted, schools had to come to a consensus on a date to begin the year. One of the things that went into consideration was the dual enrollment students. The colleges that the schools are associated with for dual enrollment begin a week before Labor Day. Kent County schools also thought about the flexibility of school days.

“School is intense,” said Northview Public Schools superintendent, Dr. Scott Korpak. Many students are juggling a vigorous work load, extracurricular activities, and a job. Starting school early enables more freedom for time off for staff and students. While there are still some kinks to work out, it is believed that Northview’s winter break will return to being two weeks long. 

Northview’s fall activities, in which a high percentage of students are involved, begin in mid-August.
“...It really does seem to make some sense to me to start when students are already involved in activities, that we be in school as well,” Korpak said. 

One problem that arises with school starting in August is that Northview doesn’t have air conditioning. A study done by an undergraduate at Loyola University showed that students’ academic performance declines in hotter temperatures. Students can develop headaches and heat exhaustion that take away from their alertness and interest. Korpak says that Northview will try their best to make people comfortable by having fans running.

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