Riddle

says the Friday start is popular because it gives teachers a day to spend

going over the syllabi and rules and then jump directly into course work

on the following Monday. Also, it gives parents a couple of extra days

to purchase required school supplies.

"We

will see how it goes this year to determine if it is something we will

want to do again," Riddle says.

Knowing

that some parents have to place their vacation requests well in advance,

the school system plans its academic calendars a year ahead so that employees

can schedule time away from work around their children's off days.

Recently,

the Fayette County Board of Education approved the calendar for the 2002-2003

academic year, which includes a traditional Monday start date of August

12, 2002. With the possible opening of some new schools this fall, the

board of education felt that the extra time might be needed to get the

schools ready for students.

"This

has been the case in the past. We have needed that extra weekend to make

sure everything is up and running," adds Riddle.

To

view the full calendar, go to www.fcboe.org .