Ask the Administrators: Your Waukee Schools Questions Answered
What questions do you have about the Waukee schools?
In light of the news that Waukee schools may have to alter their 2012-13 district calendar, we know you have questions.
Waukee schools administrators have offered to address any questions or concerns from parents in the district regarding the school calendar, the current legislation or anything else you might be thinking
Please leave your questions in the comments below and look for the answers next week on Waukee Patch.
What questions do you have for Waukee school administrators?
Tell us in the comments.
Deb Belt
8:02 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Can't curriculum be re-configured to keep semester tests before Christmas? That seems to be a huge issue for everyone, and while it requires some changes to make it happen, is it doable?
Jerry Ripperger
11:30 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Unfortunately that isn't as easy as it seems. Our goal is to have terms of equal length. The only way to do that was to start April 17th. If the start date moves back and we still hold end of term exams before the holiday break it results in the first term being much shorter than the second term which is not good for learning.
Jody Gifford
9:35 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Who requires that students are in school 180 days a year? Is that a statewide mandate or a district-by-district decision?
Jerry Ripperger
10:17 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
The state requires that children attend at least 180 days and at least 5.5 hours each day
Todd Richissin
6:36 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
I realize local districts want local control, but wouldn't it make sense -- or would it? -- to have whole regions, maybe even the whole country, get their school schedules in sync? Are there any such proposals out there?
David Leonard
8:54 am on Saturday, April 14, 2012
Jerry's comment about semesters of unequal length is correct. I'm aware of a school that has a first semester shorter than second. That cheats the students who take a single-semester course during the first semester.