I support a "Traditional" School Calendar in District 225 that doesn't start school earlier in the summer.

Would LOVE for finals to be before winter break (AND not to have so much weight on grades) but we do not want earlier start date. There has got to be another way.

I would like for schools in district 225 and 34 to start after Labor Day.

This would require kids with activities that start before school starts (marching band, fall sports) to start at the beginning of August, which would severely limit kids' opportunity to attend camps, mission trips, family vacations and other important activities.

Alternatives that allow school to start later in August and finals to occur before Winter Break should be explored

I'd prefer semesters to be slightly shorter/longer so that finals are before Christmas break - I think that Highland Park High School and Deerfield High School, District 113, as well as Loyola Academy have switched to this schedule and it seems to work well.

I'd prefer it if we switched to an uneven day schedule where one semester is slightly shorter than the other to get finals in before break.

Would like to see a later start of the school year not earlier

The only change I would like to see would be to move the end of the school year later in June and not start school until after Labor Day.

Please keep the D225 calendar the way it is.

I am a parent and an educator and believe that an August 12 start would not be in the best interests of students, families or teachers. Maybe administrators who work throughout the year have forgotten how important a full summer is to students growth as well rounded people. The end of the summer is a time for families to spend time together and renew in preparation for the rigorous school year ahead. Finally, many if not most collegiate institutions begin after Labor Day.

I agree fully and school should be started later. Aug and Sept are the nicest months of the year and kids need to enjoy.

I do not appreciate the way this process is being rammed through. So far there is no evidence that the topic has been appropriately studied, of course I can’t know because the board hasn’t actually shared their logic and/or research results yet, despite the fact that a vote will be in the next few months. My sense is that this decision is being made because “other school in the area are doing it” which is logic we always tell our kids not to use and a foolish reason to do anything. In terms of our children and their stress level, there are much simpler fixes that could/should be implemented before changinging the calendar. For example, prohibit teachers from presenting new content the week before finals and/or giving tests on new content the week before finals. Ask the teachers to work with the kids to create their own study guides, so that students finish finals with skills and an understanding of how to prepare for finals when they get to college. These are just a few of the options that should be implemented before you change the calendar. Thank you for your consideration.

Summer doesn't even begin until end of June, starting school the week if august 11th is too early.

This is a huge decision which impacts not only our students but also entire families. Families should have the right to be a part of this decision, not have the decision made for them by just a handful of staff.

Please keep traditional school calendar.

I support a calendar that starts after Labor Day and ends before Memorial Day, with a full Winter Break, even if it means a slightly longer school day, utilizing a additional study hall periods (x-block). That way kids can complete more additional work at school rather than finding time outside of school, at home or competing with other outside of school activities.

It is far better to have time off in August and not May. Please involve parents for calendar planning.

Strongly support traditional calendar.

I am against changing the school year calendar!!!!!!

We need to stay on track with rest of the world. Don’t ruin our ability to travel to camps outside the idea. Selfish!