Students at Twin Cedars Community Schools return to classes on Friday, beginning the district’s first year with the new four-day school week calendar.

The week of Monday, August 26th-Friday, August 30th will be a traditional five-day school week, before four-day weeks begin on Tuesday, September 3rd. Twin Cedars will not hold classes on Monday’s throughout the year, with the exception of the week of Thanksgiving break, the week following winter break, and the last full week of school. Superintendent Scott Bridges says that the change in schedule features slightly longer school days, but that they will still be out of school by Memorial Day while meeting State Requirements.

“School districts are required to do 1,080 hours, and so whether we’re on a four day week or a five day week, we’re doing 1,080 hours. So, it’s not like we’re shortening students’ time. We did extend the school day by fifteen minutes in the morning and fifteen minutes in the evening, so thirty minutes longer a day. I think our teachers are ready for it, so we’re excited about it and we’re ready to get the year started. ”

Hear more from Scott Bridges on today’s In Touch with South Central Iowa.