What 's the Effect on the School Year Calendar?
The weather this winter has most of us counting the days until spring. (There are 20, as of this writing.)
I probably don’t need to remind you that, so far, District 96 has had four days this school year when we closed for severe weather and hazardous travel conditions: Nov. 26, Jan. 28, Jan. 30, and Jan. 31.
What effect will those closures have on our school calendar this year?
Please keep in mind my response addresses the current school year only and does not suggest any expectations for future school years.
The State of Illinois has given school districts some unique flexibility in this 2018–2019 school year for making up Emergency Closing school days. Rather than extend the school year using scheduled Emergency Days to make up all missed days, School District 96 has approval from the State of Illinois and the Lake County Regional Office of Education to make up two of the four days as follows:
• Our students’ participation as engaged learners in March 2019 Family/Educator Conferences will account for the missed school day on Nov. 26.
• Our students’ participation in specific grade-level remote learning will account for the missed school day on Jan. 28. The District has designated Tues., Apr. 2 (a scheduled school holiday for Teacher Institute/Election Day), as the Remote Learning Day. Please note that all students will be given details/instructions regarding their remote learning activities no later than Wed., Mar. 20. Evidence of completion of the remote learning activity will not be required before Thurs., Apr. 4. This is to accommodate family plans/schedules and provide as much flexibility as is possible.
The remaining missed days will be made up with Emergency Days that are added to every school year calendar for this purpose. This means that–assuming no more Emergency Days are needed–the school year is extended by only two additional days and the last day of school for Early Childhood–Grade 7 is now Tues., June 4–a half day.
Let’s hope our calendar revisions to the current year are complete!
Important: Dual Language Program Date Reminder
As I discussed in my message to you on Jan. 16, Dual Language instruction in English and Spanish will begin in District 96 in the 2019–2020 school year with Willow Grove kindergartners.
Feedback received from parents on two Preregistration Nights hosted in January and two Parent Info Nights hosted in February reflects a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for this new opportunity.
District residents interested in having their 2019–2020 kindergartner have the opportunity to participate will want to note these dates:
• Mar. 22 – last day to submit an Interest Form (by 3 p.m.) to the Willow Grove Office, 777 Checker Drive, Buffalo Grove
• Apr. 4 – public lottery at Willow Grove to select student participants to fill two sections
Find more information, FAQs, links to the Interest Forms (English and Spanish), and much more on our District website: Dual Language in District 96
If you have questions, I invite you to contact District 96 Director of Language & Early Literacy Kathryn Sheridan at [email protected]
When we’re eager for sunny days, winter seems to drag, yet this school year seems to be flying by! With every classroom visit and discussion with faculty, my time in our schools confirms that our students are nurtured and growing. Without question, District 96 is a great place to learn every day!
Julie Schmidt, District 96 Superintendent of Schools