While some school kids started classes last week, several districts on the alternative calendar in Campbell County are already a month into the school year.

        The new alternative schedule has Northern Kentucky parents scrambling for child care that fits the schedule and complaining that kids are losing part of their summer vacation.

        “The kids come home and have school work to do, and it's 90 degrees out,” said Stephanie Baxter, mother of John W. Reiley Elementary and Campbell County High School students. “I feel like summer is cut short. They obviously didn't want to start school. You are trying to get your kid to bed at a decent time, and it's still light out.”

        This is the first year for the alternative schedule at both Campbell County and Dayton schools. It is the third year for Silver Grove.

        The schools say they changed in hopes that attendance will improve for teachers and students if they know they will get several break every nine weeks instead of fewer, longer breaks.

        “The staff is more energized because they see the end of the tunnel of the nine weeks,” said Chris Gramke, community relations director for Campbell County Schools. “Students are more energized because they just had a week off..”

        “I didn't like them starting back so early,” said Heather Kiefer, mother of two Lincoln Elementary students and a child care provider

        “Their summer was just gone.”

        However, Mrs. Kiefer said that her kindergartener and second-grader didn't seem to mind as much as she did.

        “The main problem I've heard is how to find child care for two weeks every nine weeks,” she said adding she will look forward to the break for herself though. “I work for the school system, and I know I get burned out.”

        Dayton students started Aug. 5, two weeks earlier than normal. They will be off school Oct. 7 through Oct. 18; Dec. 21 through Jan. 6; and March 17 through March 28. June 6 is the district's last day of school.

        Dayton has a certified child-care program offered before and after school. It will be offered during the two-week breaks, except for the December break, from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

        The cost is $75 per child per week, which includes breakfast, lunch, snack and field trips. As of late last week, 32 children had signed up for the fall and spring breaks.

        “That doesn't give the kids a break,” said Mrs. Kiefer. “They're still at school. It's just a break for the teachers.”

        Campbell County Schools started Aug. 8, a week earlier than normal. Fall break will be Oct. 7 through the 11; winter break will be Dec. 23 through Jan. 3; and spring break will be March 17 through the 28.

        The district's last day of school will be between May 23 and May 30, depending on snow days. School will begin Aug. 1 next year, and students will receive a two-week fall break.

        Child care will be provided at A.J. Jolly Memorial, John W. Reiley and the Cold Spring facility next to Donald E. Cline Elementary for $90 per week, which includes snacks, beverages and materials. Siblings will receive a discount, and financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

        “Teachers have said it takes a while to get kids back into routine,” Mrs. Baxter said.

        “It takes them a good week to get them back into the swing of things so why would you want to have more breaks? It knocks everybody out of rhythm.”

        Mr. Gramke said he hasn't received any negative comments about the schedule, which was passed on a two-year trial basis.

        “I'm in favor of its concept,” Alma Howard, a stay-at-home mother who has one child in Campbell County Middle School, two at Reiley and three more at home. “I'm waiting to see how the year goes. I was looking forward to taking a vacation in the fall.”

        Gary Rye, superintendent for Dayton Schools, said the alternative schedule has gone well so far.

        “It has been wonderful,” said Mr. Rye. “The breaks offset the students' apprehension or concern about losing two weeks in the summer.”

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