At Harlandale ISD, we want to be proactive when it comes to offering our teachers and staff resources we know they need, such as mental health support and a healthier work-life balance. We have also been monitoring other Texas school districts who have implemented this and have found several positive impacts, such as increase in student attendance, better enrollment, work-life balance, increased productivity and job satisfaction among staff. Data also shows that this has helped with discipline issues among students and has helped parents and staff when scheduling doctor or dentist appointments. We also believe this can help our teachers with their mental health, as well as contribute to retention and recruitment.

Student learning will not be impacted as the District would still comply with the Texas Education Agency's required instructional minutes.

A four-day school week at Harlandale ISD means that campuses and District offices would be closed on specific days each month. Harlandale ISD wants to reiterate that no decision has been made and remains in the early stages of this possibility. If the decision to implement this is made, we will work to ensure that we come up with the best schedule for our students and staff.

If implemented, you can rest assured that we will offer parents in need of childcare a place for their child on the day the District and campuses are closed. This will be primarily for elementary grades. We will explore options for middle school.

Additionally, data shows that four-day instructional weeks has helped parents and staff when scheduling doctor or dentist appointments.

If a shorter school week is implemented, we will ensure that any student in our District who needs transportation has access to that resource. 

We know the importance and joy extracurricular activies and athletics play in the lives of our students, which is why we will ensure that they are not negatively impacted by a potential shorter school week. While practice times may be adjusted on the 5th day, UIL rules and regulations will remain in compliance. 

Based on our research and inquires, our District's budget would go unchanged as this would have little effect on our cost savings. 

The academic success of our students is of the upmost importance for us at Harlandale ISD, which is why we will continue to offer resources for our students who are struggling or falling behind. An option currently being considered is to take advantage of some of the days that we would be scheduled to be off to invite students of high academic need to attend school for personalized intervention.

If implementation of a shorter school week moves forward, Harlandale ISD would need to amend the current District of Innovation plan to include an exemption for teacher contracts. Our Harlandale School Board will then need to approve that amendment in order to move forward with implementation. 

Harlandale ISD wants to reiterate that no decision has been made. We value your input, so we encourage you to share your thoughts, questions and concerns with us. Since first asking staff. Since initially asking staff for input in December 2022, the District has since released several surveys for staff and the community to share their thoughts on two potential calendars. You can read more about it here and fill out the current survey here (English | Spanish). 

Our Harlandale Family is always welcome to voice their opinions at our monthly board meetings during Public Comment. We also encourage you to click here to leave questions, comments or concerns.