Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DCSDCalendarinput20142015
In accordance with board policy AEA, the 2014-2015 Calendar Committee is charged with developing calendar options and submitting a calendar recommendation to the Superintendent. Superintendent, Michael Thurmond, will make a recommendation to the DeKalb County Board of Education on February 3, 2014.
The Calendar Committee is focusing on a traditional calendar option for the following reasons:
To remain focused on enhancing instructional programs while addressing the AdvancED/SACS’ recommendations to ensure continuous improvement and long-term sustainability; to address indicators that impact student
achievement as outlined within The Bridge Initiative; and to align the District’s calendar with other similarly sized districts in close geographic proximity.
The DeKalb County School District’s Calendar Committee is exploring two similar calendar options. Both calendars include the following attributes:
- 180 days of instruction – 88 in first semester, 92 in second semester
- 190 teacher days including one evening workday comprised of parent-teacher
- conferences (2 per semester)
- 5 teacher workdays before the first day of school
- Holidays for all – Labor Day, Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Day, and President’s Day
- Thanksgiving break – November 24-28, 2014
- Winter break – December 22, 2014 – January 2, 2015
- Post planning 1st semester/Pre-planning 2nd semester – January 5, 2015
- First day of 2nd semester – January 6, 2015
- Spring Break – April 6 – 10, 2015 (coincides with most metro area districts)
- Last day of school for students – May 22, 2015
- Post planning 2nd semester – May 26-27, 2015
The major differences between the two calendar options are pre-planning days for teachers and the first day of school for students. One calendar option begins the school year with pre-planning for teachers on Monday,
August 4, 2014, and the first day of school for students on Monday, August 11, 2014. *The other calendar option begins the school year with pre-planning for the teachers on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, and the first
day of school for students on Wednesday, August 6, 2014.
*NOTE: The earlier start date provides the flexibility to include a fall mini break (3 weekdays and 2 weekend days). Although there are several possibilities for the fall mini break, the committee will consider the
testing schedules.
Please complete the short survey about the calendar options. The survey link will expire at noon on Wednesday, January 29th. This is not a vote but rather an opportunity to receive input from the community and
stakeholders. In order to ensure that your responses are recorded, select the DONE button at the end of the survey. Please complete the survey only once. Thank you in advance for providing valuable feedback.
Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DCSDCalendarinput20142015
