Section 5-E305. SCHOOL CALENDAR

 

305.1The school year shall commence on July 1st of each calendar year and shall end on June 30th in the following calendar year.

 

305.2The Board of Education shall adopt a school calendar annually that will set the schedule for District of Columbia Public Schools two years in advance. The Board must approve the proposed multiyear school calendar no later than April 1st for the school year beginning in July two years hence.

 

305.3The Board of Education shall approve the 2007-'08 and 2008-'09 school calendars by its June 2006 regular meeting. After Board approval of the 2007-'08 and 2008-'09 school calendars, calendar approval shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of § 305.2 and § 305.4.

 

305.4The Superintendent of Schools shall make recommendations to the Board of Education annually on the specific contents of the school calendar two years in advance. The recommendations shall be made to the Board shall be made not later than February 1st of each year.

 

305.5To provide greater planning flexibility, the Superintendent of Schools may submit for tentative Board approval recommendations for a proposed school calendar for an additional year beyond the requirements of § 305.4; provided, that final recommendations and approval of the school calendar shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of §§ 305.2 and 305.4.

 

305.6The school calendar shall include provisions for the following, in accordance with the requirements of this section:

 

(a)Dates on which regular instructional day and evening sessions will be held;

 

(b)Dates on which the summer program will be held, if resources are provided;

 

(c)Dates on which full-day staff development sessions will be conducted;

 

(d)Dates on which school will be closed to students for holidays and vacations;

 

(e)Dates on which employees of the Board of Education will receive paid leave for holidays;

 

(f)The hours of operation of schools and programs on regular instructional days; and

 

(g)School closing make-up days.

 

305.7[Repealed]

 

305.8[Repealed]

 

305.9Student lunch periods shall consist of a minimum of thirty (30) minutes and maximum of sixty (60) minutes.

 

305.10Full-day staff development sessions may be scheduled on any dates when school is closed to students.

 

305.11A maximum of two (2) half-day staff development sessions may be scheduled each semester; provided, that days when students attend school for less than a full regular instructional day shall count as a one-half (1/2) instructional day toward the minimum requirement set forth in § 305.6.

 

305.12Parents and guardians shall be given a minimum of thirty (30) days notice of half-day sessions that are not included in the school calendar.

 

305.13Holidays for students and employees of the Board of Education shall include all dates that are designated national holidays by law and holidays that are declared pursuant to the laws of the District of Columbia.

 

305.14The school calendar shall also include a one (1) week winter vacation for students and a one (1) week spring vacation for students.

 

305.15The school calendar may also include commemorative days that are scheduled for dates on which regular instructional days are held. Commemorative days may be designated to honor any person or emphasize any current or historical event. Provision shall be made to include emphasis on the subject of commemorative days in the curriculum or through other ceremonies or activities held during the regular instructional day.

 

305.16Schools may be closed by order of the Superintendent of Schools due to adverse weather conditions or other emergency conditions affecting the health, safety, or welfare of students and employees.

 

authority

Section 3(b)(11) of the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000 (OSSE Act), effective October 21, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-176; D.C. Official Code §38-2602(b)(11))(2009 Supp.); section 7c(c)(2)(A) of the OSSE Act, effective September 18, 2007 (D.C. Law 17-20; §38-2609(c)(2)(A)) (2009 Supp.); Section 403(a)(14) of the State Board of Education Establishment Act of 2007, effective June 12, 2007 (D.C. Law 17-9; D.C. Official Code §38-2652(a)(14)) (2009 Supp.); and Article II of An Act to provide for compulsory school attendance, for the taking of a school census in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, approved February 4, 1925 (43 Stat. 806; D.C. Official Code §§38-202 et seq.) (2001 and 2009 Supp).

source

Final Rulemaking published at 24 DCR 10190-91 (June 2, 1978); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 53 DCR 4127 (May 19, 2006); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 56 DCR 8978 (November 20, 2009).