Cape schools' 64 days of summer

When Mary Obergoenner signed her eighth-grade son up for summer camp nine months ago, she had no idea that it would interfere with his attendance at Central Junior High.

"This summer is so short we probably won't even have time for a family vacation," Obergoenner said.

With just 64 days of summer break this year, Cape Girardeau students are forfeiting summer camps, family vacations, youth sports activities and seasonal job opportunities.

Having already paid $800 in camp fees, Obergoenner will pull her son out of school a day early so that he can attend the full two weeks of camp at Kannakuk, near Branson, Mo.

"I don't blame the school. There's nothing they could do, but it really is an inconvenience for everybody," Obergoenner said.

In past years, Cape Girardeau schools have resumed classes in mid- to late August. But the 2002-2003 school year began after Labor Day to accommodate construction work at the new Central High School, and therefore the district already had a relatively late release date scheduled for June 4.

That, plus eight weather-related cancellations this year and an early start date for next year, which was planned so that schools could end the first semester before Christmas break, created the abbreviated vacation from the classroom.

"It's definitely worth it when we look at the instructional benefits of starting early next year," said superintendent Mark Bowles. "I have three kids of my own, so I know it's creating an inconvenience. But hopefully it will be a one-time deal."

That thought offered little comfort to 12-year-old Hikeem Shaw, who usually goes to Decatur, Ill., to stay with his mother and visit relatives over summer break.

"I won't have time to do all that this year," he said. "And I won't have much time with friends or even to relax."

Despite the winter weather that affected almost all Southeast Missouri schools, other local districts are averaging 85 days of summer break this year -- three weeks more than Cape Girardeau.

Seventeen-year-old Meagan Freeze said she had to give up the summer baby-sitting job she's had for two years, and the extra spending money that comes with it, to go on a family vacation to Mexico and visit colleges during the break.

"There's just no time, and I'm kind of mad about it," Freeze said. "And with school starting so early, I don't think I'll be ready to come back."

Parent Mike Brandt said his family is going to try to squeeze in a short vacation after his 13-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter finish summer sports activities in July.

"Both of my children are heavily involved in summer sports, plus trying to fit in family things," said Mike Brandt. "I know it's a necessity, but it's going to be tight this year."

The short break will have a major impact on school employees as well. Teachers will have less time to prepare for next year. Maintenance workers and custodians will be hard-pressed to complete the numerous tasks on their summer to-do lists.

"It means a lot of things won't get done," said Tom Berkbigler, a guidance counselor at Central Junior High. "It's going to be problem."

Large projects, such as the cafeteria expansion at the junior high, will most likely take priority over smaller jobs such as painting and cleaning, Berkbigler said.

As a guidance counselor and member of the summer maintenance crew, Berkbigler has an even shorter break than most employees: Just three weeks.

"We're used to having a certain amount of time off," Berkbigler said. "It's going to be a crunch to get back into that back-to-school mindset."

Despite the shortened break, the district will hold its remedial summer school. While the actual total hours will remain the same, summer school has been extended from half days to full days in order to conclude before July 4.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128