District reminds parents of calendar changes
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on January 9, 2006 1:49 PM
With the first semester of the current school year coming to a close, Wayne County Public Schools is reminding parents and students about changes to this year's academic calendar.
High school students will take final exams and End of Course tests Jan. 11-12. Tests will be given in geometry, Algebra I and II, physical science, biology, chemistry, physics, U.S. history, civics and English I.
The last day of the semester for students will be Jan. 12. They will return to school on Jan. 19 to start second semester classes.
In past years, the first semester ended before winter break, said Dr. Craig McFadden, assistant superintendent for accountability and student services. Changes made to this year's calendar will raise questions, he said.
"It could be confusing for parents who might not understand why final exams are now being taken in January and why students are also getting a second break just two weeks after returning to classes," he said. "It's important that parents understand that state requirements implemented last year pushed the start date back for the 2005-06 school year for all public schools to later than usual. The legislative move gave North Carolina students a longer summer break, but the calendar changes also pushed back traditional end of course dates."
The schools and staff have done an excellent job adjusting to the new academic calendar, Superintendent Dr. Steven Taylor said. The extra time over winter break before exams might also help improve grades by giving students additional time to study and prepare, he said.
Report cards for students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be sent home Jan. 23.
January also contains several teacher workdays and holidays. Monday, Jan. 16, is a holiday and all schools and the central office will be closed. Jan. 13 and Jan. 17-18 are teacher workdays, with no school for students.