2012-2013 School Calendar
Dear Families of Whitnall School District,
The Whitnall Board of Education voted Monday night to approve the 2012-2013 calendar. The calendar approval includes an adjustment to the regular elementary and secondary start/end times as well as the adoption of a new collaborative release schedule.
The plan for this collaborative release schedule involves "early release" every Wednesday for the elementary schools, and "late start" every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month for the middle and high schools. This new schedule, outlined below, will support the successful development and function of professional learning communities throughout the district.
Current 2012-2013 Collaborative Release
Elementary 8:40 – 3:22 8:35 – 3:35 8:35 – 2:15
Middle School 7:45 – 2:50 8:00 – 3:05 9:00 – 3:05
High School 7:15 – 2:18 7:45 – 2:45 8:45 – 2:45
Professional learning communities are vital work groups that will analyze the Common Core State Standards, develop more effective and consistent systems of assessment, and study individual student data in order to adjust instruction and programming in specific ways. Above all, the goal of a professional learning community is to improve student achievement.
We understand that our families support the idea of educators communicating and working together. We also realize that there are those who feel uncertain about the impact this might have on their family schedules or finances. In order to address this concern, the district will offer "low cost" and "no cost" options for elementary and middle school students to attend during release times. For example, if on an early release day an elementary parent wants his/her child to stay until the "regular 3:35" release time, the child can do so with no added expense to the family. We plan to incorporate support of our instructional aides as well as area child development/activity providers, many of whom already have expressed an interest. Conversations about specific programming are happening as we speak, and this information will be formally communicated to families within the next four weeks.
The district administration and staff are excited about the opportunities this collaborative initiative offers, and we look forward to the work that lies ahead. Please know that we take very seriously the details of this implementation, and many minds are dedicated to its success. Throughout 2012-2013 we will share with you our collaborative work and its impact on student learning through regular correspondence devoted to this topic.
(Click here for more information including frequently asked questions).
Sincerely,
Whitnall School District Administration
