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ADMINISTRATION SECTION Policy: 3.22

SCHOOL YEAR/SCHOOL DAY

SCHOOL YEAR

State Law requires that the length of the school year will be at least180 teaching days or 990 teaching hours. Falls Church City Public Schoolsreports compliance on the basis of a 990 teaching hour schedule. Days onwhich a school or schools or all the schools in the division are closed due tosevere weather or other emergencies will be made up as provided below ifnecessary to meet these requirements.

MAKE UP INSTRUCTIONAL TIME

The Falls Church City Public Schools calendar will provide for make-up

instructional time by 1) setting the school day length at each school locationto build in four days equivalent teaching time above the 990 requiredhours, and 2) by designating additional full days in each yearly calendar tobe used if needed to meet the teaching hour requirement.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

The first day of school shall be after Labor Day unless this requirementhas been waived by the Virginia State Board of Education pursuant to theCode of Virginia S22.1-79.1.

The School Board will establish the divisions calendar and teachingcontracts in accordance with applicable regulations of the Board ofEducation to include contingencies for making up teaching days andteaching hours missed for emergency situations. As the school yearprogresses, if the adopted calendar is insufficient to provide the requisitehours, the School Board will amend the calendar to add additional time.

An advisory committee composed of teachers, support staff, parents,and school administration may be utilized to recommend a proposedcalendar to the Superintendent. The recommendation of this committeeshall be considered advisory.

SCHOOL DAY

Adopted: 10/14/98 Revised: 9/26/06_______________________________________________________Falls Church City Public Schools

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ADMINISTRATION SECTION Policy: 3.22

The standard school day for students in grades K through 12 willaverage at least 5 hours, excluding breaks for meals. The time foropening and closing schools will be established upon recommendation of the

Division Superintendent. If the required program length is maintained, theSuperintendent may recommend occasional shortened days for staffdevelopment, conferences, planning and other activities designed toimprove the instructional program, provided that no more than one day ineach five-day week may be shortened to no less than four hours.

All students in graded K through 12 will maintain a full day schedule ofclasses unless a waiver is granted in accordance with policies defined by theSchool Board.

Each elementary school shall provide students with a daily recess

during the regular school year, as determined appropriate by the school.

The secondary school class schedule shall contain a minimum of 140clock hours for each unit of credit. When credit is awarded in less thanwhole units, the increment awarded must be no greater than the fractionalpart of the 140 hours of instruction provided.

The work day for employees will be of sufficient length to allow for thedaily program for students and additional time as may be necessary forsuch activities as planning, preparation, meetings, workshops, conferences,meal intermissions, or other contractual obligations.

Legal References: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, Sections 22.1-79;22.1-79.1; 22.1-98;

Adopted: 10/14/98 Revised: 9/26/06_______________________________________________________Falls Church City Public Schools

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ADMINISTRATION SECTION Policy: 3.22

State Board of Education Regulations 8 VAC 20-131-80, 8 VAC 20-131-150, 8VAC 20-490-30

Adopted: 10/14/98 Revised: 9/26/06_______________________________________________________Falls Church City Public Schools