2017-2018 Southern Boone School District Calendar
There are many considerations that occur when composing the district’s calendar. The first and foremost is maintaining a focus on how we, as educators, insure “Excellence in Learning for All”. We also work to balance family needs and child care as well as community considerations. Of course, also in the mix of things, are requirements set by local, state and federal government. When composing the calendar my goal is to ask parents, employees, and the community questions and to do a lot of listening. I cannot satisfy everyone; however, I can provide an opportunity for everyone to be heard. My end goal is to build a calendar that is fair and honors the traditions of our great school district and community.
The calendar is not set in stone. Up until the board approves the calendar, it can be changed due to public opinion and the needs of the district. Furthermore, the calendar can be amended at any time the majority of the board feels it is necessary. In summary, your opinion matters.
I built into the calendar two half days at the end of each semester to allow the high school to offer finals. The feedback from high school students, parents and teachers is that this has been highly beneficial. The high school teachers have increased the rigor of their tests with several teachers requiring students to perform taught skills as a part of their final. Parents and students have commented on the positive benefit of taking eight finals over two days as opposed to taking eight finals on one day. Lastly, our seniors have reported back to us that finals administered over two days helped prepare them for college.
I realize the burden that the half days create for parents who do not have high school students. However, I have seen the benefit in student achievement and believe this is in the best interest of our kids for the long term.
Up to 6 snow make up days have been built into the calendar. It is my intent to count these as days of attendance and not take off a day of instructional time as the district has done in the past with the first week of Spring Break. If we have over 6 snow days, the members of the board will amend the calendar as needed.
There are several points of interest with this year’s calendar I wish to note.
- My priority for the school is to allow for the completion of the new classrooms and start the year utilizing our 8 new classrooms and full sized gym in the Primary, 5 classrooms in the Elementary and the new High School weight room. Due to the construction and timeframe constraints I am proposing that the school start date for students will be September 5.
- The district will continue to release early in the day on Wednesday’s at 2:30 for teacher collaboration.
- Thanksgiving Break is from November 22 through November 26.
- Winter Break is from December 22 through January 2 for students.
- We will observe Martin Luther King Jr. and President’s Day on January 15 and February 19.
- We will have a week of Spring Break, the same as Missouri University, from March 26 through April 1.
- Senior Graduation is proposed to occur May 13.
- Project Graduation will be on May 14, with no school for students.
- The last day with students is proposed as May 23
- The last day for teachers is proposed as May 24
- This calendar proposes 165 days of school for students as opposed to this year’s 172 days. I truly do not want to reduce our instructional time any more than I have too. Having said this, In spite of attending fewer days in the school year, at 165, we continue to surpass DESE/State requirements.
- If the District is closed for more than 6 days, due to inclement weather, the Board of Education will amend the calendar for additional instructional days.
Please reply to this posting. Your comments will not be publicly posted. What do you not like about this calendar? Is there anything else that I should consider when building the calendar?
The calendar will be amended over the next several weeks with revisions. Please check back often.
Thank you for your time and feedback.
Respectfully,
Chris Felmlee