Two Colorado Springs schools began Wednesday

Nearly 600 students are back in school in Southern Colorado.

Classes started today for two schools in Harrison School District Two. Turman and Stratmoor Elementary Schools are now on an alternative schedule, starting Wednesday. That means students will go to school year-round, with short three-week breaks in between nine weeks of school.

Harrison School District Two Chief of Staff Christine Lyle said this schedule will help with learning loss.

“There’s research out there that shows if children don’t have that 10-12 week break, if they have something shorter in-between, and maybe some time to practice some skills they’ve learned in the last nine weeks, that can be really beneficial,” Lyle explained.

She also said students would be able to come back for half-days during the three weeks to get extra help for a concept they may not have been able to grasp.

Administrators said the response from parents was overwhelmingly supportive.

As of right now, though, no other schools in the district plan on switching schedules.