As a result of the recent addition of 2 more Institute days to the school calendar this year, this petition is requesting the District 41 School Board to address the high number of days out of school (and teachers out of the classroom) due to SIP days, Institute days and meetings when planning future school calendars. We feel that the current calendar is not in the best interest of the students for the following reasons: 1. Constant days off in the school calendar are not conducive to effective learning and retention. For younger students, consistency and continuity are important. 2. The recession may increase dual income families, resulting in a higher volume of unsupervised young children, higher risk of vandalism and drinking among middle school students, and a financial hardship on families. 3. Many SIP days are non-learning days. Activities in the past included cleaning out desks, watching movies, etc. 4. Even when in school, teachers are often pulled from class to attend department/committee meetings. Substitute teachers do not allow for continuity in instruction. 5. The calendar is not aligned with the high school, increasing the potential for student absenteeism. Recommendations to the Board: Setup the school days so that there are 3 full (5 day) weeks of school per month by implementing the following 1. Schedule one Institute day mid year and schedule remaining Institute days before and after the school calendar year. 2. Request a State of IL waiver to combine SIP days to one full day every other month in the same week as a school holiday or break 3. Better align the no school days with high school D87 when possible 4. Schedule committee/department meetings before/after school or evenings. Previous attempts to reduce the number of non school days during the school year have failed. Union contracts have provided little room for flexibility and compromise. This petition requests that the Board seek innovative solutions to keeping kids in school as much as possible while still meeting the teachers' professional development needs and union contracts. If you are frustrated with the current D41 School calendar, please click Yes below and forward to any interested parties. Feel free to provide comments or other suggestions. Thank You. Gina Meyers Hadley Parent No More Days Off District 41 Calendar Petition