The attached proposed calendar does eliminate our current practice of early release in the district on Mondays so that our schools would operate on the same schedule Monday through Friday. Instead, a single day each month would be scheduled when teachers would have time for professional development, collaboration, and planning. On seven of these days marked as Optional Enrichment Days, the district would run a program for students in grades K-8, in conjunction with our community partners, allowing parents who want their children to participate to have them attend during regular school hours. These would not be required days of attendance for students who opt out or for students in grades 9-12. Buses would operate as usual bringing students to enrichment opportunities and home on these days, thereby limiting the burden on our families. These seven enrichment days would be provided at no cost to families.
The calendar also includes some minor adjustments described here. The start of school is delayed by one day and the last day of school occurs one day earlier than originally proposed. The original teacher work day on January 15 is moved to January 4, providing our staff a chance to plan and be prepared for our second semester. These changes are based on staff responses through our feedback process.
I welcome your feedback on these changes through completing a brief survey. This will help our board make a final determination on any proposed changes at their March 24 regular meeting. The 2021-22 calendar remains under consideration based upon feedback received from our community and our staff. That calendar will be considered in the coming months.