The 2002-2003 school year will launch Wednesday, July 24 for 19 Continuous Year elementary schools and Superintendent Jerry Wartgow will visit four of them to welcome back students, teachers, staff and parents.

The 18 schools will also be the first to implement the district's new literacy program, a daily three-hour program designed to boost reading and writing skills.

On Wednesday, Superintendent Wartgow's itinerary includes:

• 8:30 a.m., Johnson Elementary School, 1850 S. Irving St.
  
• 9:30 a.m., Fairmont Elementary School, 520 W. 3rd Ave.
  
• 10:30 a.m., Wyman Elementary School, 1690 Williams St.
  
• 11:30 a.m., Smith Elementary School, 3590 Jasmine St.

Last year, 13 schools used the Continuous Year Calendar. This year, five more schools are switching to the optional schedule as well as Mitchell Elementary which switched from an extended year schedule to the Continuous Year Calendar making a total of 19. The Continuous Year Calendar means just six weeks of summer vacation but provides longer breaks in October (two weeks) and March (three weeks). One of the new schools, Johnson Elementary School, is the first school in southwest Denver to switch to the alternative calendar option.

The remainder of the district's schools – including two new middle and two new elementary schools to meet the district's strong enrollment growth – will open on Monday, August 19.

For more information, please call the Public Information Office, 720-423-3414.