The proposed change in the Summit NJ School calendar for the 2019/2020 school year for a pre-Labor Day school opening poses several issues that would impact our community.  The main factors are listed below:

• Presents significant difficultly for working parents to find childcare to cover the earlier release in June as camps don't typically begin until later in the month.

• Many of the classrooms are still without air conditioning and are unable to safely accommodate children in high temperatures (as noted in the late scheduled single session day on September 6th). This would be more of an issue starting in August when temperatures are typically higher.
• As mentioned in a TAPinto Summit article dated July 16, 2018 (https://www.tapinto.net/articles/summit-board-of-education-reviews-2017-18-school it is noted that the proposed early start would prepare teachers and students more time for AP class testing. This group is only a small fraction of the overall community that would be affected.
• Many families chose to travel the last week of August and plan over a year in advance this proposed change would negatively impact activities already in place for the summer of 2019.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU ARE AGAINST THE PRE-LABOR DAY SCHOOL START UNDER CONSIDERATION IN OUR COMMUNITY.