The Garfield School District No. Re-2 will host a series of public meetings in October to discuss a proposed Student Achievement Calendar. Citizens of the district are encouraged to come and listen to a presentation about the proposed calendar, and bring their comments, questions and concerns.The Student Achievement Calendar, if approved by the Garfield Re-2 School Board, would not go into effect until the 2004-2005 school year.The concept is to provide additional, optional time in the classroom for students who do not meet standards, students who need additional help in a subject, or students participating in enrichment activities that they may not otherwise get to participate in. “It’s a matter of time,” said Garfield Re-2 Superintendent Dr. Gary Pack. “Time is one of our most important, and scarcest, resources. A student achievement calendar will help us get individual help to kids, and provide exciting, engaging enrichment opportunities to our students as well.”The calendar would not look much different than it does today, with students beginning class work in mid-August, and ending school in early June.For two weeks during the school year students and educators will have an opportunity to “stop the clock” and provide extended learning opportunities to students in need of individualized attention in specific subjects.Teachers will be able to work in small group settings of 10 students, and focus on specific learning styles.Extended learning opportunities (ELOs) will be provided for students to engage in activities that may not be offered during the regular school year (e.g. outdoor education, computer education courses), or students may choose to focus their time on existing extracurricular activities such as athletics, band, drama or choir. These ELOs will also help the district take advantage of the vast resources the Re-2 area offers, as skilled community members will likely teach many of the classes.”The bottom line is student achievement,” added Roy Moore Principal Mark MacHale. “We know that students don’t all learn at the same rate, in the same way or on the same timeline. When possible, we should provide additional means to help all of our students excel.”Both components of the student achievement calendar are optional for the students. The calendar will remain at 174 regular school days with three breaks for students – one in October, one in March and a Christmas holiday. Any adjustment through a student achievement calendar would only extend the existing breaks in the Garfield School District No. Re-2 school calendar. Meetings concerning the Student Achievement Calendar have been scheduled in:-Silt at Roy Moore Elementary Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m.-New Castle at Riverside School Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.-Rifle at Rifle High School, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.For further information contact Director of District-wide Services Theresa Hamilton, Roy Moore Principal Mark MacHale, Superintendent Dr. Gary Pack, or Assistant Superintendent Ava Lanes at the above numbers.