With the cancelation of Standards of Learning tests this year, modifications made to the upcoming International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement assessments, and the need to prepare for summer instruction, the Falls Church School Board is shortening the current school year by 13 days to June 4th for students and June 5th for teachers and staff.
The change is one of a broad range of recommendations contained in "Continuity/New Learning Plan for 2019-20," a proposal for completing the current school year, prepare for summer instruction, and ready the division for the start of the 2020-21 school year beginning August 24, 2020. Superintendent Peter J. Noonan and FCCPS administrators outlined the timeline during the school board's first-ever, online board meeting caused by the Governor's orders concerning public gatherings during the coronavirus crisis and in a letter to parents and staff.
The Board also approved additional teacher workdays on April 3rd and April 24th to "to refine, revise, and retool as needed for remainder of the year," as instruction shifts from a "Continuity of Learning" approach to online instruction to new lessons following Spring Break.