Bushland ISD is Adopting a Four-Day School Week

It seems education is a topic of much conversation in many cities, and it is no different for Amarillo.

In the last year, Amarillo announced that it would be closing schools across the area, and now this school district is making a big change.

Bushland ISD is Changing the Calendar for the 2025-2026 School Year.

They will be adopting the four-day school week. This means that for most of the school year, students will only attend school Monday through Thursday, leaving them Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to enjoy life.

The weeks when students have holidays that fall on a Monday they will have to go to school on the Friday of that week. In March, they will have to attend school during two Fridays of the month. Each month the teachers will have one development day that will occur on a Friday.

School will start on August 11, 2025, and end on May 21, 2026.

What are the Pros and Cons of a 4-day School Week

Pros:
Cost Saving for the district
Better attendance
Work-Life Balance for Teachers
More time for extra-curricular activities.

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Cons:
Parents will be faced with finding childcare for Fridays
School days will be longer
Families who depend on the school for lunches and a safe warm/cool place
Students retaining the information learned

A few more details are still being worked out including bus schedules, but when school starts in August, it will be a new year with some big changes. It's also possible that many people from the Amarillo area will be putting in transfer requests to Bushland for next year.

Teeny Tiny Towns of the Texas Panhandle

Don't blink! You just might miss these TINY towns that are dotted around the Texas Panhandle.

Some of these are unincorporated communities and some of these are just plain ol' small!

Either way, these teensy weensy tiny towns and their populations will make you say "wow" (and maybe even squint and say "that's all!?"). Check them out:

Gallery Credit: Sarah Clark

25 Landmarks of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle

Gallery Credit: Lori Crofford

EXPLORE: A Rare Look Inside the Old Santa Fe Depot in Downtown Amarillo

The old Santa Fe depot is one of the oldest buildings in Amarillo. Located at 401 S. Grant, the historic depot has sat empty for several decades. The depot is in remarkably good condition for such a long stretch of vacancy, and the City of Amarillo has plans to bring the station back to life.

In the meantime....enjoy this rare look behind the locked doors of the old Santa Fe depot.

Gallery Credit: Sarah Clark/TSM