r To the Editor,
I’m writing to express my thoughts on American Leadership Academy’s new four day school week. ALA is a charter school in Spanish Fork for K – 12. The school has been open since 2005. I have been going to ALA since I was in kindergarten. Now I am in 8th grade, and I still love the school. This year they changed to a four day school week. So far I have loved it. I have loved having the extra free time to study, catch up on homework, or even spend time with my family. I don’t think I could ever go back to Friday school. 3 day weekends are basically one of the best things ever.
Each school day is a little bit longer then the Nebo School District. The Junior High and High School go from 8:00 a.m. to 3:20 p.m., and lunch is only 30 minutes. Elementary is 8:15 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
If needed, parents can pay a small amount to send their elementary students to school on Friday. Friday school is free for Title I kids who might need the extra help. Junior High and High School teachers are also available on Fridays for students wanting extra help. Teachers have been able to use Friday for prep time. A 4 day school week is less stressful for teachers, students and parents. Fridays are also good for regular doctor and dentist appointments that usually have to be scheduled on weekdays.
The four day school week is especially great for student athletes traveling to games on Fridays, because they don’t have to miss class on Fridays. The same goes for the many other students who participate in other extra curricular activities. With these activities and competitions on Fridays, students can also support their friends and families by participating in the activities themselves and also not having to miss class.
There is a wait list to get into ALA, so if there’s someone who thinks they might be interested, they should apply to get on the list now.
Aidan AndersonrSpanish Fork
