How can we meet the requirement to broadcast for 36 hours a week as a school that is closing for summer vacation?

As a school that is closing for summer vacation, you might be concerned about meeting the requirement to broadcast for 36 hours a week as specified by the regulations. According to §73.850 of the rules, schools are not required to broadcast on weekends or during periods designated as vacation or recess on the school calendar.

During periods when your school is closed, such as summer vacation, there are a few options you could consider if you want to continue broadcasting.

1. Pre-Recorded Programming: You can pre-record content such as educational shows, interviews, or relevant programming before the school closes for vacation. Schedule these pre-recorded shows to play during the times when the station would typically be broadcasting live.
2. Automated Playlists: Set up automated playlists with a selection of pre-recorded content. This can include educational content, music, public service announcements, and more. These playlists can be scheduled to run during the regular broadcast hours.
3. Community Submissions: Encourage students, teachers, or community members to submit content that can be broadcast during the summer break. This could include student projects, guest presentations, or recordings of previous school events.
4. Repeat Popular Shows: Re-airing popular shows or segments from earlier broadcasts can help you meet the broadcasting requirement while your school is closed.
5. Collaborate with Local Organizations: Consider collaborating with local organizations or partners that can provide relevant content to be broadcast during the vacation period.
6. Informative Loops: Create informative loops with educational content, announcements, and important updates. These loops can run continuously during the times when live broadcasts would typically occur.

Remember to inform your audience about your adjusted programming schedule and the reasons behind it. While you may not be broadcasting live during the vacation period, you can still provide valuable and engaging content to your listeners using the above strategies.