Calendar FAQ

Having make-up days built into the calendar pushes out the last day of school, whether we have snow days or not. In addition, data shows that these types of “built-in” make-up days have low attendance for students and create significant staffing challenges.

OCS has had a weeklong break in October for many years. Several years ago, families were surveyed to consider a shorter fall break and the vast majority voiced their desire to keep it a full week. Fall break is always within the last two weeks of October. The calendar committee makes a recommendation basted on testing days (PSAT), fall sports, and other school district breaks, but ultimately it's the Board's decision. 

OCS has historically started school the Wednesday of the second full week in August, unless construction necessitates a change.

Conference Flex Day is a day that schools and teachers may hold parent-teacher conferences. Some schools/teachers do this at other times. It is an off day for students.

Teachers need continual opportunities to gain new knowledge and skills to enable all students to reach [transition] readiness. All certified teachers are required to complete 4 days of professional development in order to complete the required minimum school term. Staff work days allow teachers to work within their PLCs (professional learning communities), and to work on lesson planning, grading, etc.

A calendar committee meets in the winter to make recommendations on start date, staff work days, breaks, and closing date to the Board. However, the calendar is ultimately set by the Board.

The calendar committee make up is specified under statute:

1. One member of the local board of education
2. One school district principal
3. One school district office administrator other than the superintendent
4. Two parents of students attending a school in the district
5. One school district elementary school teacher
6. One school district middle or high school teacher
7. Two school district classified employees
8. Two community members from the local chamber of commerce, business community or tourism community.

Selection of Members:

• #1 is appointed by the Board Chair after discussion with the members.
• #2, 5, 6, 7 are selected from the district schools, attempting to get representation from each district campus, to get a broad spectrum of input
• #3 is historically the Director of Pupil Personnel because they are responsible for the calendar
• #4 are asked from Community Council participation
• #8 are sought from the local chamber of commerce

The graduation date is typically set during the March regular monthly OCBE meeting, after the threat of winter weather has passed and our last day unlikely to change. In addition, since JCPS has first rights to Freedom Hall and Broadbent Arena each year, we must wait for them to set their graduation dates.