2012-2013 Traditional School Calendars - Feedback

At its October 11, 2011 meeting, the Board of Education approved for first reading four traditional school calendar options for the 2012-13 school year. The calendar options align with recent changes in state law made by the N.C. General Assembly that require the addition of five instructional days for students, a reduction of five teacher workdays and an increase in instructional hours to 1,025, which GCS already surpasses.

The first three options (A, B, C) were developed by the GCS Calendar Committee, which is comprised of teachers, principals, support staff, parents, community members, and administrators. The fourth option (D) was based on the committee's work but makes Nov. 6, National Election Day 2012, a teacher workday.The following is a quick recap of the major differences between the four options.

Option A:
School starts for students Aug. 27 and ends June 10. Winter break is seven days long. A teacher workday is on Jan. 2. Students return on Jan. 3. There is a holiday at the end of the first semester, but not a teacher workday as in years' past. Spring break is March 28 - April 5 (seven days). March 28 is teacher workday. Three teacher workdays (two mandated) occur prior to the start of school. Option A has 13 inclement weather days, with seven occurring prior to June 10.

Option B:
School starts for students Aug. 27 and ends June 7. Winter break is seven days long. A teacher workday is on Jan. 2. Students come back to school on Jan. 3. Spring break is March 29 - April 3 (four days). Three workdays (two mandated) occur prior to the start of school. Option B has 11 inclement weather days, with four occurring prior to June 10.

Option C:
School starts for students Aug. 27 and ends June 10. Winter break is seven days long. Students and staff return on Jan. 2. There is a teacher workday on Jan. 22, at the end of the first semester. Spring break is March 29 - April 5 (six days long). Four teacher workdays occur prior to the start of school (two mandated). Option C has 11 inclement weather days, with I-days 2 - 6 occurring after June 10, and I-days 7-11 occurring during spring break.

Option D:
School starts for students Aug. 27 and ends June 10. Winter break is seven days long. Students return on Jan. 2. There is teacher workday on Jan. 22, at the end of the first semester. Spring break is March 29 - April 5 (six days). Three teacher workdays (two mandated) occur prior to the start of school. Option D has 13 inclement weather days, with seven occurring prior to June 10.

The calendars have been posted on the district website for a 30-day public comment period, with comments to be sent to gcscomments@gcsnc.com on or before November 10, 2011. We are asking that principals and building managers use a bulletin board in a public place accessible to patrons and staff, in or near the front office, to post the memo, policy and procedure through at least November 10, 2011. In addition to the comment email, input can be sent via the courier or the U.S. mail at Policy Development, Guilford County Schools, and 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC  27401.

Please call 370-2365 with any questions, and thank you for your cooperation and continuing assistance and support.