6111

Policy

Instruction

Elementary and Secondary

Instructional Periods

School Calendar

The school year for students in grades 9-12 consists of a minimum of 1,080 instructional hours. The minimum school year for students in grades 1-8 will consist of 1,032 hours. The minimum school year for students in Kindergarten will be 400 hours.

Definitions

1. Instructional hour. Sixty minutes of class time when more than one-half of the teachers and students are present in the building.

2. Instructional time. Any time when more than one-half of the teachers and students are present in the building and engaged in learning activities "under the supervision of teachers in regularly scheduled classes or approved activities.

The superintendent of schools will, after consultation with staff members, submit to the board of education, no later than the regular March board meeting, a suggested school calendar for the ensuing school year. Such calendar will become official after approval by the board of education.

The calendar will provide for the minimum number of instructional hours as outlined in paragraph one above. The calendar will schedule at least 175 days of classroom activities.

The following policies will be in effect in calculating total instructional hours:

1. Passing time between classes will count as a part of the instructional time. Scheduled recesses will count as instructional time.

2. Lunch time does not count as instructional time.

3. Assemblies and convocations will count as instructional time if, in the opinion of the principal, such activities contribute to student learning.

4. Staff development activities and in-service meetings are not classified as instructional time.

5. Short-time dismissals for fire and tornado drills will be a part of instructional time.

6. Pre-holiday early dismissals, dismissals because of weather conditions, or days when school is not held because of weather or other emergencies, do not constitute instructional time.

Scheduling

1. Athletic contests will not be scheduled during the regular instructional hours without specific approval of the superintendent of schools.

2. Non-athletic contests are to be scheduled on Saturday or after school hours whenever possible.

3. Every effort will be made to avoid interrupting regular classes for activities of any type.

4. Students qualifying for district and state activities, athletic or non-athletic, will be allowed to participate in these contests.

5. Necessary travel time during school hours for the purpose of meeting schedules for athletic or activity events will be classified as instructional time (item 2 under definitions above).

Legislative Reference: 79-201 Compulsory Education; attendance required; exceptions

Adopted: June 4, 1990

Revised: November 21, 1994