"It is quite controversial to have early dismissal and it's very important for the public to know what wonderful things happen for our kids," said Foley.

"Our students -- not just our staff -- our students will reap the rewards of the staff being professionally on the cutting edge and our staff being prepared for new curricula."

On the first three Thursdays of every month, the two elementary Catholic schools allow students to go home early to give teachers a chance to get together and discuss issues affecting them.

There are any number of items teachers can discuss during their time off, such as new curriculum ideas and teaching resources.

The last Thursday of each month, early dismissals allow teachers to focus on district concerns often in the company of board officials.

Student architects

While praising early dismissal, Foley in the same breath described the success the board is also having in getting plans off the ground for Weledeh's retrofit.

Designers are currently looking at schematics while the board continues to gather finances, said Foley.

To ensure students get the school they want, the board is allowing youngsters to have input into its design, much in the same way students helped with St. Patrick high school's construction.

Members of Weledeh's Destination Conservation met with engineering consultants recently at the school, asked questions and shared ideas.

Kevin Jarrett, energy management officer with Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, along with Naseem Bashir, consulting engineer on the project, met with the group.

Students' main concern was ensuring the school is as environmentally sound and efficient as possible. That means energy efficient lights with low mercury content, timers on all lights and a clean-running heating system.