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Amended School Calendar for 2020-2021 Released

The DeKalb County Board of Education approved the second amendment to the 2020-2021 school calendar on July 24, 2020. As a Strategic Waiver School System, the DeKalb County School District has flexibility from identified state statutes and associated rules in exchange for greater accountability over the life of the five-year contract. The District may depart from the strict interpretations of the definition of the school year, school month, and school day.

The amended 2020-2021 school calendar, attached below, contains these following highlights:

  • 179 days of instruction for the year – 91 instructional days in first semester and 88 instructional days in second semester
  • 185 contract days for teachers – 88 days in first semester and 97 days in second semester
  • First day of school for students – Monday, August 17, 2020
  • Pre-planning and Post Planning Days
  • Professional Development Days
  • Holidays – Labor Day, Columbus Day, Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Day, and Presidents' Day
  • Thanksgiving Break – one full week (November 23-27, 2020)
  • Winter Break – (December 21, 2020 - January 1, 2021)
  • Spring Break – one full week (April 5-9, 2021)
  • Early Release Days
  • Last day of school for students – Friday, May 28, 2021
  • An adjustment to the school calendar of 5 days for 10-month employees that includes one evening workday comprised of four conference nights during the year (This is an official work schedule reduction in contracted days.)
  • 4-Day Professional Development Institute (August 5-7, 2020 and January 15, 2021)

With the adjustment to the school calendar, a paid four-day Professional Development Institute will be offered to provide high-quality professional development. The Professional Learning Institute involves training, modeling, planning, shadowing, and creating instructional and procedural tools, while incorporating parent engagement strategies. The technology-rich symposium will also afford staff the opportunity to analyze data and target appropriate "supports/interventions" for students. The instructional modules will focus on how to effectively teach in a virtual remote learning environment, how to keep students engaged in the learning, how to monitor student progress, and how to support students and staff dealing with trauma and the impact of COVID-19.

Please refer to the amended DCSD 2020-2021 calendar: 2020-2021 Calendar (Approved July 24, 2020).pdf

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