Amanda Holland -  Students and staff at Mineral County schools will begin the new four-day week on Monday when the 2016-17 school year starts.

Amanda Holland –
Students and staff at Mineral County schools will begin the new four-day week on Monday when the 2016-17 school year starts.

The last days of summer vacation are upon parents in Mineral County, as local children return to their routine on Monday.

This year, Hawthorne schools will be a pilot program for the newly implemented four-day school week, leaving Friday open for doctor’s appointments, out of town travel and high school sports.

School will begin for Mineral County High School/jr. High School at 8 a.m. sharp with their day ending at 3:40 p.m. Lunch will be held from 12 – 12:40 p.m.

The topic of a four-day school week has been a debated issue. Parents who work 10-hour days welcome the three-day weekend whereas those that are employed in such areas as the service industry are scrambling to find reliable child care.

A mother of three children, two which attend Hawthorne Elementary explained her feelings about the change. “Kids need more hours and days in the classroom to help prepare them for their future. Babysitting is an issue,” she said.

Though this mother has daycare covered, she continues, “If a child is already behind and you cut school from five to four days can the child retain information over the long weekends?”

Mineral County Boys and Girls Club will begin their afters chool program beginning Monday, Aug. 22 at 525 West Ninth Street. Children ages five to 18 are welcome to attend from 3 to 6 p.m. and on Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
At the club, they will get help with homework; enjoy sports and games; free snacks and more. Membership is $10 per year but a weekly fee will apply.

“For those of us that are barely making it by, week to week, the Boys and Girls Club sounds great, but where does the extra money come from,” said a parent.

This week’s issue of the Independent-News has a brief from Mineral County School District Superintendent Walt Hackford along with the school lunch.