Parents ask district to formalize a common summer no-contact week for families

Multiple parents and district staff urged the board on Jan. 13 to adopt a single, predictable no-contact week each summer during which the district would not hold events, practices or mandatory activities across all grade levels. Becca Peterson, a parent and MHS teacher, proposed reserving one week each summer as a Moline Coal Valley School District no-contact week, saying calendar uniformity would allow families with children in different buildings to plan around a shared period. Peterson suggested the IHSA no-contact week — the first full week in August (Aug. 4–8 next year) — as a logical model. Parent Laura Sigurdsson and other parents with children across elementary and secondary schools supported the idea, saying last year mismatched schedules forced families to choose between vacations and school activities. One parent who works at Hamilton and has four children in the district described having to reschedule family plans when middle- and high-school events conflicted. Why it matters: Families with children in multiple district buildings said a single no-contact week would reduce scheduling conflicts, make summer opportunities more accessible and provide staff predictable downtime. The parents said the proposal is not criticism of coaches or staff but a request for consistent planning. Board members did not adopt a calendar change at the committee meeting; the requests were presented during public comment for future consideration and possible calendar planning discussions.