School moving to 4-day weeks

SJNT staff

SHEPHERD — To facilitate learning and growth for both students and instructors, Shepherd ISD has opted to move to a four-day school week.

The new calendar was approved during the Feb. 17 meeting of the Board of Managers.

The board, based on information provided by the school administration, approved the measure to allow the staff to learn and grow within its profession in an environment that continues to change regularly. 

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The move was made since 60 percent of the teaching staff has three or less years of experience in a classroom, all of which has been during a global pandemic. This has led to a 35-40 percent turnover rate, which means almost half of the staff is new to Shepherd ISD each year. 

The district plan, VISION 2025 is about growing students to read on grade level, exhibit math proficiency, developing positive learning environments, life lessons and social values, College and Career Readiness and growing extra-curricular and co-curricular activity; in order to meet the goals in VISION 2025, teachers need to grow as well.

Administrators say the calendar is about building capacity amongst teachers, administrators, auxiliary staff and to make Shepherd ISD better.