The Board of Education today unanimously approved the opening of schools and offices on Monday, April 21, the day following Easter and state Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery granted Anne Arundel County Public Schools a three-day waiver of the 180-day requirement for students, moving the last day of classes for this school year to Wednesday, June 18.
Interim Superintendent Mamie J. Perkins filed the revised waiver request late this afternoon after discussions with state school officials in an effort to aid families who already have vacation plans set. In her request, she cited the inclusion of April 21 and addition of June 18 as instructional days for students.
“I just wanted to do everything I could to try and ease that burden for our parents, students, and employees while keeping in mind that we have a duty to provide students with as complete an educational year as possible,” Mrs. Perkins said. “I am pleased that Dr. Lowery took into consideration the steps we have made to accomplish those goals.”
Parents should note the following key items for the remainder of the school year:
- At high schools and middle schools, April 21 will be a “B” day.
- The last day of school for graduating seniors will be Thursday, May 29, 2014.
- The last day of class for half-day prekindergarten and ECI students will be Thursday, June 12, 2014.
- With the exception of the eight schools noted below, the last day of school for students will be Wednesday, June 18, 2014.
- Schools will dismiss two hours early from June 13-18, 2014, to accommodate high school exams.
- The last day of class at the two Centers for Applied Technology is Thursday, June 12, 2014.
The last day of work for employees covered by negotiated agreements has not yet been determined. AACPS will negotiate with employee bargaining units where appropriate to determine those dates and any other changes that may be required by the negotiated agreements.
Calendar survey for parents, students, and employees
To help shape future calendars, the Board of Education is also soliciting parental, student, and employee input into how to best accommodate additional days needed in the school calendar for inclement weather closings. A short online survey is available online English and Spanish, and paper copies are available at all AACPS schools and at the Parham Building. Input will be accepted through Friday, April 11. Results will be provided to the Board for future calendar discussions.
Construction projects at eight schools
State Superintendent Dr. Lillian Lowery has also approved waivers of the state’s 180-school day requirement for eight schools – Annapolis High School; Magothy River and Severn River middle schools; and Annapolis, Benfield, Crofton, Mills-Parole, and West Annapolis elementary schools – so that they can prepare for summer construction projects.
The waivers mean that the school year for students at those schools will end on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Those schools will also open the 2014-2015 school year on Tuesday, August 26, 2014, one day later than other students.