Aerni sees school’s calendar as a success

FREMONT -- Seven years ago, the Grant Elementary School staff, led by Principal Mike Aerni, developed an attendance calendar incorporating the use of what was then called the year-round school.

Planning such a project involved gathering comments and opinions from virtually everyone who would be affected by such an adjustment.

The traditional school calendar was developed with the agricultural seasons in mind. The growing season dominated the year. Family farm labor had to be provided during the late spring to early fall months. School was reserved for the cooler and downright frigid months. Throughout the years, the nine-month school, three-month vacation approach became ingrained in this country.

Grant Elementary followed Meadowlark and Emerson elementary schools in Kearney in breaking with that tradition.

Now in its seventh year, the approach has found its stride.

“Our intersessions have been successful,” Aerni said. “Our students attend regularly. In fact, if we added all the student-hours recorded since we began the intersessions, our kids have been in school an added 23,000 hours. All within our regular budget. An added plus is the involvement by parents and community members.”

Aerni, a Columbus native and the son of Ray and Dorothy Aerni, said the presence of juniors at Midland Lutheran College teaching third-, fourth- and fifth-graders in the afternoons of “discovery” intersessions.

“We have had lessons on electricity, nature and science brought to life by these aspiring teachers. They bring an edge with them. The Midland students relate so well,” he said.

Elementary students who could benefit from additional language and math skill development are urged to attend morning hours during the intersessions.

“Reading Recovery is a major part of our intersessions. That’s one of the reasons we have great voluntary attendance. Parents and students move toward an opportunity which helps learning. This learning time is crucial,” Aerni said.

With the staggered breaks throughout the calendar, families have adjusted their vacation schedules. This is a positive for those who cannot take vacation time during the traditional peak season of summer.

“From the outset, our PTA has been our vocal supporter in the community. With more students choosing to join our system than who choose to leave it, our building is full. The community support has been overwhelming,” Aerni said.

Aerni points to the greater community as making significant contributions to the balanced school year schedule. The Fremont Parks and Recreation Department has offered programs during the breaks. “Discovery” times (afternoons) have been devoted to science, electricity and nature studies. John Kuddes, the Fremont city gardener, made a special appearance to explain his work and develop a teaching unit around seeds, soils and a greenhouse.

“I get the sense that our teachers benefit from the consistent breaks, too. Even the staff who are split between schools and therefore two school calendars. Our staff always come back from the break re-energized. That leads to a fast return to ‘new learning.’ Our students seem to be back in the routine within a half-day of a new quarter,“ Aerni remarked. “That’s really exciting.”

In the balanced school year calendar of Grant Elementary, the three week intersessions provide nuggets of time for educational discovery.