Tulsa School Board Votes For Year Round School At Gilcrease Elementary

Jennifer Loren, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The lazy days of summer just became a sprint for students at one Tulsa school. That's because families at Gilcrease Elementary School found out Monday night they'll be headed back to school on Thursday.

That short notice has some neighbors steamed. Gilcrease parents just lost two-and-a-half weeks of back-to-school preparation time.

The Tulsa School Board voted to put Gilcrease Elementary on the district's continuous learning calendar, known as a year-round school.

Gilcrease students will spend 300 to 400 extra hours in the classroom, and will get shorter, more frequent breaks.

TPS hopes the new format is the answer to the school's chronically-poor test scores. But Gilcrease neighbors say it's too late in the game, to make this big a decision.

"Parents need to get their immunizations. They'll have to get school clothes or uniforms. People are on vacation and have been to start school on Friday is too soon. But do you care?" Gilcrease neighbor Jane Malone, told the board.

TPS says it sent home letters to parents and held an informational meeting in mid-June. Gilcrease and five other Tulsa schools will head back to class Thursday. The rest of the district starts school August 22nd.

7/29/2011 Related Story: Tulsa School Could Go Year Round