Submitted by Mr. Ethan Sickels

We continue to have a great year here at Rock Port R-2! Perhaps my mindset is a little better this year, as I have slept in this winter and not checked roads as often . . . I still have flashbacks to how miserable last winter was for everybody. As we prepare to turn the calendar to March, I smile knowing that winter weather events should be few and far between (or hopefully done). Plus these 40 and 50 degree temperatures have sure made a difference in everyone’s attitude around here the past few weeks!

March means two main things in my world . . . next year’s school calendar and budget. I will address the first topic this month, and then as we gather more information I hope to give you an idea of a projected budget for the 2020-21 school year in April.

Our calendar hearing will be held at our board meeting on Thursday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m. With the new school calendar law, we knew we would be starting school later in the 2020-21 school year. The current plan before the hearing (remember this is not set in stone just yet) is our first day of school will be Wednesday, August 26. This is basically a week later than we started this year. For the first semester we will have no school on September 7 (Labor Day), September 21 (Teacher PD Day), October 30, November 9 (Teacher PD Day), November 25-27 (Thanksgiving Break). Our last day of the first semester will be Friday, December 18.

After winter break we begin second semester on January 6, 2021. We will have no school on January 18 (MLK Day), February 15 (President’s Day), March 8 (Teacher PD Day), April 2-5 (Spring Break), and will conclude our year on Thursday, May 20 . . . once again basically a week later than this year.

The biggest change, due to the later start of school, is graduation for our seniors. Graduation will not be on Mother’s Day in 2021, but will be held the third Sunday, which is May 16. This ensures we have enough calendar hours for our seniors before their last day of school. I have also had positive feedback from many who appreciate having their Mother’s Day free!

Our students will attend school 161 full days and seven half days, for 168 total days and 1,096.55 hours. This is 52.55 hours more than the state requires and gives us the flexibility again for next year to absorb some weather days without needing to make them up at the end of the year.

If you have any questions or concerns about the calendar, please don’t hesitate to contact me before March 12 or come to our meeting. We have a great group of teachers here at school that work along with the administration to produce the best opportunities for student learning in determining the calendar dates. I will certainly get an easier-to-read version out to the newspaper and on our Twitter account once it is approved.

I do hope 2020 has been great for you, and continues to be. I appreciate your support of our students and school, and know we have so much to be thankful for here in Blue Jay Nation. As always, I leave you with three important words . . . GO BIG BLUE!