from Marilyn Farmer about make-up days

March 23, 2007


Dear KDES Families:

Spring is finally here!

In the past few weeks, many of you have approached me about our plan to make up the days missed due to the protest and inclement weather. I promised that we would develop a plan to address make-up days once the warm weather arrived.

Thus far, KDES was closed for six (6) school days – three (3) for the protest and three (3) for inclement weather. Our school calendar includes 183 student days; three (3) of which have been built-in to cover school closings. According to District of Columbia law, students are required to attend school for 180 days. Therefore, KDES students will make up three days (equals 17.5 hours of class time).

The KDES Principal’s Management Team met and reviewed the limited options available for making up the required days/hours. We arrived at a decision and the following will be implemented:

· Beginning on April 23rd, KDES’ school hours will be extended by 30 minutes at the end of each school day: beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.
· This extended school day schedule will continue until June 14th (35 days at thirty minutes = 17.5 hours)
· April 25th and May 16th are listed on the school calendar as Early Closing Days; therefore, school will close for students at 1:00 p.m. as originally planned (with no extended schedule on these two days).

Of course, this extended time will result in some change to your child’s bus schedule. Ms. Kim Craig and the Transportation Department will share more information with you about your child’s revised bus schedule.

Please feel free to contact your Family Educator about the changes to the school day and Ms. Kim Craig about the changes in the bus schedule.

Have a beautiful weekend!


Sincerely,


Marilyn Farmer
Principal, Kendall Demonstration Elementary School