The Pattonville Board of Education on Dec. 8 approved calendars outlining important dates for the next two school years. The calendars for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years were drafted by Pattonville’s Calendar Committee, which included a board member, parents, a student, teachers and support staff. -Read-More- When developing the calendars, the committee focused on improving student achievement. Other factors discussed during the development of the calendars included family considerations, professional development needs, staff considerations, transportation logistics, and holidays/special events. The committee also worked to ensure that parents, students and staff had a voice by gathering comments and feedback on draft calendars. Highlights of the new two-year calendar are: Balanced number of days for semesters at the middle school and high school levels; Four early dismissal days were scheduled so that elementary and middle school students would have early dismissals on the same day in order to assist parents with child care needs (early dismissal days are used for staff training and development and/or collaboration between teachers at the same grade level); School starting during the third week in August for family considerations; A four day first week of school for students; Six emergency days (snow days) were built into each calendar, as required by state law (the ending dates of school will be rolled back if these days are not used); and No school for students on Nov. 2, 2010 due to midterm elections; the day will be used for professional development for staff. Important Dates in New Calendar 2010-2011 School Year Aug. 16 - First day of school Dec. 23-Jan. 2 - Winter break for Grades K-5 and Remington Dec. 23-Jan. 3 - Winter break for middle and high school students (Jan. 3 is a report day for staff) March 21-25 - Spring break June 1 - Last day of school (will end earlier if six emergency days required by law not used) June 2 - Graduation 2011-2012 School Year Aug. 15 - First day of school Dec. 23-Jan. 2 - Winter break for Grades K-5 and Remington Dec. 23-Jan. 3 - Winter break for middle and high school students (Jan. 3 is a report day for staff) March 19-23 - Spring break May 31 - Last day of school (will end earlier if six emergency days required by law not used) May 31 - Graduation Note: All school calendars are subject to change to be in compliance with state law, including the required number of emergency days and the agreed upon number of contractual days for staff. -End-