There are many considerations that occur when composing the district’s calendar. First and foremost is maintaining a focus on how we, as educators, ensure “Excellence in Learning for All”. We work to take into account community considerations, balance family needs, and child care when finalizing the calendar. Of course, there are requirements set by local, state, and federal governments.
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 the communities with the district.
The calendar is not set in stone. Until the board formally 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. Feedback from high school students, parents, and teachers has been highly supportive of the half days for finals. I am not in a position to offer transportation throughout the day. I am limited with drivers and therefore it has to be all or none in respect to when the students can be dismissed; I cannot take part of the students home in the afternoon and then again at 3:00 pm. 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 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. If we have over 6 snow days, the members of the board will amend the calendar in accordance with state law. The calendar must reflect 1044 hours of student instruction.
There are several points of interest with this year’s calendar I wish to note.
Due to the proposed construction at the middle school building, we need to start school after Labor Day on September 7, 2021. The proposed start date honors families, students, and teachers who have obligations with the State Fair.
The district will release early in the day on Wednesday’s at 2:00 for teacher collaboration.
Thanksgiving Break is from November 24 through November 26.
Winter Break is from December 22 through January 3 for students.
We will observe Martin Luther King Jr. and President’s Day on January 17 and February 21.
We will have a week of Spring Break, the same as Missouri University, from March 28 through April 1.
April is the month of State assessments in Elementary through High School.
Senior Graduation is proposed to occur Sunday, May 22.
The last day with students is proposed as May 27.
The last day for teachers is proposed as May 27.
This calendar proposes 1085.30 of instructional hours for students. We must have at a minimum of 1044 hours of student instruction. The calendar surpasses 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 hours in accordance with State law.
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?
As a result of input from the community, typically, the calendar will be amended over the next several weeks with revisions. Please check back often.
There will be a public open meeting to discuss the calendar. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, February 3, at 3:30pm, Tuesday, February 9 at 5:30 in the New Central Office boardroom (we are located near the elementary and the water tower on 5275 West Red Tail Drive), and Wednesday, February 10, at 3:30 pm. Additional meetings will be posted on this page, the District’s home page, and published in the Boone County Tribune. I intend to have the calendar approved during the Tuesday, February 16, 2021, regular monthly board meeting at 6:30 in the Central Office boardroom.
SNOW ROUTES and LATE START: The district will utilize late starts, 9am start time for school when the weather looks more favorable later in the day as an option to canceling school. The district has snow routes established. Our existing snow routes are listed below.
2020-2021 Snow Route Schedule
• The following roads will not be traveled when the school announces it will be
running on snow routes.
• When snow routes are announced, the buses will continue on the snow routes for the
the remainder of the day.
• Depending on current weather conditions, school bus drivers have the discretion of
not traveling any road that could endanger the safety of the students.
Bus 1- Gilmore Hill at the end of road & Zumwalt Hill
Bus 3- None
Bus 4- None
Bus 5- Johnson Cemetery, South Clinkenbeard, & Bob Veach
Bus 6- Hawkins Road
Bus 7- East Snowy Hills, West Snowy Hills, Lammers Lane, Albert Rd.
Bus 8- Biggs Road, Nashville Church Road past Black Hawk
Bus 9- Will travel unless Jefferson City Schools is out
Bus 11- Jemerson Creek & Wren School Rd
Bus 13- Soft Pitt Hill, Coonce Lane, Geising, Missouri River View, & Lake Champetra
Bus 14- Will travel unless High Roads is canceled
Bus 15-None
Bus 16- MM past Andrew Sapp, Fox Hollow, & Leo Smith
Bus 18- None
Bus 20 – Hidden Ln
Bus 21- None
NEXT PUBLIC MEETINGS:
Wednesday, February 3: Central Office boardroom at 3:30pm: Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/94007208190
Tuesday, February 9: Central Office boardroom at 5:30pm: Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/95387916008
Wednesday, February 10: Central Office boardroom at 3:30pm: Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/91024664019
Tuesday, February 16, 2021: Central Office boardroom at 6:30 during the regular monthly board meeting.
Thank you for your time and feedback.
Respectfully,
Christopher Felmlee