Provided by Prince William County Schools (PWCS)
The start of a new school year might seem like an odd time to start a discussion about the following year’s calendar. But Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) is interested in gathering feedback from parents and community members about preferences for the 2019-20 school calendar in terms of start and end date, as well as Winter Break. Here’s a quick poll that provides the community with the opportunity to share input.
There are some parameters around the development of the calendar. First, the calendar must begin with at least 180 school days. The year is divided into four relatively equal marking periods. Attempts are made to minimize weeks with only a few days of school. Multiple student holidays are provided within the calendar, along with Winter Break and Spring Break. Any time an additional student holiday is placed into the calendar, that instructional day must be replaced somewhere else in the calendar.
PWCS has qualified for a pre-Labor Day opening since the 2015-16 school year. Feedback received has indicated that people like to get out as early in June as possible. The earlier start allows that to happen. It also allows for more instruction to happen before the major testing that takes place beginning as early as April, including the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments, and the Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge (AICE) exams that are given in high school.
Calendar options will be presented to the School Board for discussion and approval in October. Results from this poll, as well as recommendations from a representative calendar committee, will be provided to the Board to inform their discussion and decision.
Please take a few moments to answer these few questions about your preferences. This poll will remain open until Sept. 4. 2019-20 Calendar Poll
