Proposed 2021-2022 School Calendar Survey

Press release from Newport News Public Schools:

February 22, 2021

Proposed 2021-2022 School Calendar Survey

Posted: February 22, 2021

The NNPS Calendar Committee has developed two calendars for consideration for the 2021-2022 school year. The proposed calendars were presented to the School Board during its February 16 meeting.

The first proposed calendar has a pre-Labor Day start. School would begin on Monday, August 30, 2021. In accordance with state code, school divisions that open prior to Labor Day must close schools on the Friday before the holiday weekend, so all NNPS schools would be closed for students on Friday, September 3. This option would allow schools to more quickly address the learning loss that has occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures during the past year. It will allow staff to provide students with targeted instruction that first week by focusing on remediation and intervention strategies.

With the second proposed calendar, school would start on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 since the traditional first day of school (the day after Labor Day) falls on a religious holiday that would restrict a portion of our student and staff population from having the opportunity to participate in the activities that occur on the first day of school. This option would allow all students to begin school on the same day and have a common "irst day"experience.Â

Both calendars provide 180 student days, family conference time each semester, teacher workdays each quarter and time for professional development. Additionally, both calendars include a two-week winter break (December 20-December 31) and a one-week spring break (April 4-8) for students and staff.

The calendar committee invites your input. Please take a few moments to review both proposed calendars and take the brief survey by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 28.

This press release was produced by Newport News Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.