NEWARK – Now is the time parents can share their thoughts on the school calendar for the coming year.
The Worcester County Board of Education is currently taking input on three calendar proposals being considered for the 2016-2017 school year. Two of the proposed calendars feature a first day of school after Labor Day.
“In the area we live in, Ocean City is a big economic driver,” said Carrie Sterrs, the school system’s coordinator of public relations and special programs, “so it’s important we get feedback from our parents, students and employees but also members of the community. The more feedback we get the better.”
Sterrs said this year’s calendar options were developed just as they have been in years past with the help of a committee made up of teachers, administrators, parents and students. The group met in October and came up with three possible calendars. The first, known as a mediator’s calendar, sets Aug. 29 as the first day of school for students. Beyond that it was designed so that it featured moderate winter and spring breaks so that the last day of school would be relatively early at June 7.
The second calendar proposal also balances time off with an early end-of-school date but is different in that it begins school after Labor Day, on Sept. 6. The extra week of summer vacation in early September pushes the last day of school under that scenario to June 16.
The third possible calendar features a post-Labor Day start on Sept. 6 as well as a June 16 end-date but includes an additional day off for students in November.
Sterrs says now is the time community members can share their thoughts on the calendar proposals. The school system welcomes input from everyone in Worcester County.
“It’s important we get as much stakeholder input as possible,” Sterrs said.
The calendar survey will be available to the public until Jan. 29. This is the first year the survey has been offered exclusively online, as in the past it has been sent home from school with students as well. Those interested can access it by visiting www.worcesterk12.com.
“It is entirely online but it can be done on any device,” Sterrs said, adding that anyone with accessibility issues could stop by a local school to complete the survey.
After Jan. 29, Sterrs will tabulate the survey results and submit them to the superintendent of schools, who will make a recommendation to the school board in February.
