After considering changing the graduation date for seniors in the district because of using calamity days past the five allowed by the State of Ohio, the Winton Woods Board of Education voted instead to eliminate spring break for all its students. The decision came after a discussion of all the district’s alternatives for making up missed days due to September’s windstorms and recent snow days.

Dr. Camille Nasbe said her decision was based in part on concerns expressed by some of her teachers about adequately preparing students in grades 3-8 for state tests. “Our students need to be adequately prepared for state testing and Advanced Placement tests,” said Nasbe. “Both OAT and AP preparation will benefit. In addition, this will help to keep our students more academically engaged by going to school over spring break rather than adding days at the end of the school year.” Nasbe will be meeting with school principals later today to further refine the plan.

“This decision boiled down to the best use of academic time for our students and the option that did not add cost to the district,” said Jack Lee, Winton Woods Board of Education president.

Lee said the Board approved a change to the district calendar to have classes for K-12 students during the week of April 13-17. The Ohio Achievement Tests will be given, as scheduled by the State of Ohio, the week of April 20-24.  Graduation will occur on May 27 as originally scheduled. “Previously approved school-sponsored trips planned for spring break will go on,” said Lee. “Students will need to make up work as needed and will be accommodated.”

“This will shorten the school year in June for all schools as long as we don’t have additional calamity days,” said Lee. The last day of school for students at Winton Woods Primary South, Winton Woods Elementary School, and Winton Woods Middle School is Friday, May 29. Because of an additional day off due to facility issues at their buildings, the last day of school for students at Winton Woods High School, Winton Woods Intermediate School and Winton Woods Primary North will be Monday, June 1.

On Wednesday, February 18th a meeting was announced of the WWCS School Board to discuss the exceptional circumstances surrounding calamity days for the current 2008-09 school year.  To best academically serve the students of Winton Woods City Schools, the school board decided, after much deliberation and consideration to all students and their families, to cancel spring break in order to fulfill the legal requirements of the state of Ohio for the mandatory number of school days per year.  By attending school the week of April 13-17, 2009 we will have made up all of the required calamity days (wind days, snow days, power outages, water main breaks, etc), required by law.

The School Board decisions are as follows: 

It was approved that the school calendar be changed to have classes in session for ALL K-12 students during the week of the previously scheduled spring break – Monday, April 13 – Friday, April 17th. 
ALL students and staff will be expected in all schools April 13 -17, 2009.            
School will NOT be in session on Friday, April 10th.
This will, in fact, shorten the school year in June for ALL schools if no additional calamity days are needed. More information regarding the end of the year calendar will be available to Winton Woods School families as soon as finalized with the State of Ohio.  

Graduation will occur on May 27th, as originally scheduled, with a back-up date of June 2nd.  Please note, we cannot guarantee WHERE graduation would be held on June 2nd. 

Previously approved school sponsored trips planned for spring break will be upheld.  Students will need to make up all missed work.  

The Ohio Achievement tests will be given, as scheduled by the State of Ohio, during the week of April 20th-April 24th.  

If another calamity day is needed, further action to extend the school year will have to be taken. 

We will continue to keep you updated. 

Last Day of School for Students:

Primary South                   May 29  

Primary North                   June 1  

Elementary                        May 29  

Intermediate                     June 1  

Middle                                 May 29  

HS (9-11)                          June 1  

Seniors                              May 27