Superintendent Dr. Ann Levett will make a recommendation to the Board of Education at their July 16, 2020 meeting that the Academic Calendar for the 2020-21 School Year be modified due to impacts created by the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic.   While the approved calendar for the upcoming school year originally called for a start date of August 5, 2020, after reviewing public health data and hearing feedback from staff, parents and task force members, the Superintendent believes a change is needed. 

A delay in the start of the school year would support the District's goal to ensure student and staff safety in a manner that mitigates exposure during a period of high transmission.  A delay will also provide critical time for staff training and preparation for a return to teaching and learning, the implementation of new safety procedures, and preparation to ensure facilities are ready for social distancing protocols.

The proposed calendar modification would allow teachers to return August 3, 2020 and students to begin instruction virtually on August 19, 2020.  The twelve intervening staff days would be dedicated to preparing all educators to deliver effective online instruction and face to face instruction as well as address other matters related to social emotional learning, hygiene protocols, student/family support services, accountability procedures, and revised Title IX regulations.

If approved, the modified calendar would:

• Offer 170 days of instruction

• Provide 12 days of pre-planning and training before the first day of instruction

• Begin the school year on Wednesday, August 19, 2020

• Begin the school year in a virtual “E-Learning" Districtwide model

• Add two staff planning days for teachers at the end of the school year

• Include the strategic use of Districtwide “E-Learning Days" on the November 3, 2020 Election Day, at the start of Second Semester, and after St. Patrick's Day

See the proposed modified 2020-21 SY Calendar here.