The Wichita school board voted unanimously Thursday to approve a calendar for the 2020-21 school year.
New teachers report August 3rd and all staff will return August 5th, and preparations for the school year will take place through August into early September. 6th and 9th grade students will have orientation on September 4th. All students will return to classes on September 8th, a later start to allow preparation for health and safety measures against the coronavirus.
Some in-service days for teachers have been taken out of the calendar, but they have been moved to August. Some snow days have also been taken out. The district’s deputy superintendent, Dr. Tiffinie Irving, said if there are days when weather prevents students from traveling to school, there will be alternatives such as remote learning on those days.
Students will still get a three-day break at Thanksgiving and a two-week break at Christmas. Federal holidays will still be observed, and spring break has been moved to the week of March 22nd.
The calendar was arranged so that the last day of school will be May 25th.
The district superintendent, Dr. Alicia Thompson, said it will be important for families to enroll children now so the district can plan for staffing the three learning models that will be offered this year. The district will have in-person classes, remote learning and an Education Imagine Academy for students.
