Due to Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, students enrolled in the Martin County School District have missed four (4) days of instruction this school year. When considering this fact and the learning gaps associated with pandemic-related disruptions, addressing lost instructional time is an extremely pressing concern for Superintendent Dr. John D. Millay and the Martin County School Board.
In November, the decision was made to have students make up two (2) of the four (4) missed days of school. While the District originally announced that school would be in session on December 19 and 20, 2022, Dr. Millay’s many conversations with families, employees and the District’s employee bargaining units, as well as the high volume of planned employee absences that would not be conducive to meaningful instruction for students, have led to his decision to recommend a modification of the planned makeup days to the School Board.
“To be successful, our students need every opportunity to experience quality teaching and learning. This is evidence-based and something we wholeheartedly believe in,” Dr. Millay said. “After consulting with our bargaining units’ leaders and in collaboration with our School Board, our school calendar will be revised to reflect instructional makeup days that do not interfere with the valued holiday plans many of our families and employees have made.”
There will be no school or work for students and employees on December 19 and 20, 2022. The final day of classes before Winter Break will be December 16, 2022. Winter Break will begin Saturday, December 17, 2022, and conclude Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Students will return to school on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
Superintendent Millay will recommend the School Board’s approval of the following 2022-2023 school calendar changes during the Regular meeting scheduled for December 13, 2022:
FOR FAMILIES
- February 6, 2023, is currently listed as a Professional Development Day on the 2022-2023 school calendar. Dr. Millay will recommend that school be in session on this date.
- March 28, 2023, and May 3, 2023, are currently listed as Early Release Days on the 2022-2023 school calendar. Dr. Millay will recommend that school be in session for full days on both dates.
FOR EMPLOYEES
- Dr. Millay will recommend the Professional Development Day that was scheduled for February 6 be rescheduled to May 31, 2023.
- Dr. Millay will recommend that the professional development that would have taken place during the early release days on March 28 and May 3 be rescheduled to June 1, 2023.