School Board Approves District Calendar Parameters For Upcoming School Year
The district calendar will consist of 180 student contact days, 192 teacher contract days, typical break periods for holidays and early release days for professional development.
The Hamilton School School Board approved last week the framework for the 2013-14 school year calendar.
The district calendar will consist of 180 student contact days, 192 teacher contract days, typical break periods for holidays and early release days for professional development.
According to the district's web site, the parameters have the "same considerations that have been in place for years when calendars were negotiated between the School Board and teachers’ association."
Collective bargaining reform prohibits the negotiation between school districts and teachers union in terms of the calendar.
Administrators will glean input from parent groups and instructional leadership as they finalize the calendar, the Web site says.
"Administrators are exploring two options for the timing of Spring Break. One keeps it the week after Easter, and the other moves it to mid-March. In addition, additional summer learning academies may be offered," the district's site said.
The school board is expected to take action on the calendar in January.
Jill Lane
11:01 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Wish my daughter had more "contact days" with her teachers. 180 days, only six months of schooling a year, doesn't seem like enough.
Brendan O'Brien
11:07 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Hi Jill. 180 days is more than 6 months, given the fact that weekend days and holidays are not included. Brendan
Craig
4:47 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Brendan: 180 days is less than full time. When you factor in the length of a school day, number of hours taught, lunch time, and free period time, they are only actually working about 1200 hours/year.
This is a far cry from the minimum standard of 2080 hours/year for full time employment in the private sector.
Most part time jobs do not include benefits. If we want our kids to advance more than what has become the norm, we need to make their education come first.
More time in the classroom equals a more robust education. THAT should be the benefit!
Jill Lane
3:27 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
I'm just talking the number of total days of instruction students receive. They only add up to 180 days out of a 365 day year. That's less than half a year spent in school. I know there weekends, holidays and vacation to factor in. I just feel like there are too many vacation days. Educators are required to cram more and more into a school year, but the number of school days never changes.
Barbara Barnes
8:00 am on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
We don't need the kids home to help with farm chores so lets start a full time school program that reflects the new norm in society. Instead of expanded summer opportunities just continue with school. Let's start education reform here in Wisconsin where we have a history of initiatives that expanded to society.