Parents and staff will likely have several questions about how the possibility of adjusted arrival days, days when students are scheduled to arrive two hours later on 16 pre-designated days, may impact their children's education and routines. As a reminder, this item has not yet been voted on by the School Board.
What are adjusted arrival days?
If LCPS opts for a schedule that involves students arriving two hours later on pre-designated days, LCPS's regular morning transportation will be adjusted for the new arrival time on those days. Any typical morning activities may be adjusted in advance to account for the updated schedule.
Why does LCPS need adjusted arrival days?
As a result of new requirements from the state it is imperative that our students are given the best possible chance for success with this new material. In order to give them that chance, our teachers need to be trained and equipped to teach the material. Currently, resources aligned to the new Mathematics and English standards (grades 6-12) are not available, meaning that the implementation of new standards from the state is occurring before school divisions receive the resources aligned to them. School divisions across Virginia share the concern as well that for Mathematics, and potentially English, standards may be taught and tested for the first time in the same year. This does not set our teachers or students up for success, and we therefore need to take this action to ensure they have the support, training and resources they need.
What is teacher professional development?
Teachers and educational staff have required training, or professional development (PD), that they take part in each year. There are generally four types of PD:
PD required by state code or law (e.g. Bloodborne Pathogens Training)
PD required by LCPS Policy (e.g. Policy and Regulation 7560: Professional Conduct Training)
PD recommended and optional professional Learning (e.g. English Language Development (ELD) Standards for Teachers), and
New Required Professional Learning based on VDOE initiatives
Virginia Literacy Act Modules
Local PD on new ELA core resource
ELA and Math Standards
Expansion of VALLSS testing
While LCPS has some flexibility on the requirements and delivery in categories in PD related to LCPS policies and recommended PD for educators, our current 2024-2025 school calendar did not account for the additional required need mandated by the recent VDOE announcements. LCPS’ goal is to try to create sufficient time and space for teachers to complete annual required training, meet new requirements by the state, and also have adequate time to plan for implementation of the new standards.
How soon will adjusted arrival days be implemented?
Once the school board votes on a final calendar, LCPS will be able to complete the planning process for adjustments to the schedule to account for the two-hour difference. The proposed calendar includes an average of two adjusted arrival days per month, typically on a Wednesday, in the 2024-2025 school year. The proposed calendar does not alter the first or last day of school as already announced.
The School Board heard the information on May 14, 2024 and the information is scheduled to come before the School Board at the May 28, 2024 meeting. We anticipate sharing a final schedule as quickly as possible once approved by the School Board.Will this increase the need for my child to have a substitute teacher?
We do not anticipate that adjusted arrival days will cause an increased need for substitute teachers in classrooms.
How often will adjusted arrival days occur?
The initial proposal includes an average of two adjusted arrival days per month, typically on Wednesdays. These are days when students are scheduled to arrive two hours later than their regular bell schedule. We are sharing information with the School Board on the impacts of all proposed schedule changes. We anticipate sharing a final schedule as quickly as possible once approved by the School Board.
How will adjusted arrival days affect my child's schedule?
Adjusted arrival days will include a full day of instruction on a modified schedule. Classes will be shortened to account for a shorter school day, but not skipped or missed.
Will my child still receive instruction on adjusted arrival days?
Yes, learning at all levels will continue on a modified school day schedule.
What student activities may take place during the two morning hours before the school bell rings on adjusted arrival days?
Students arriving two hours later on pre-designated days will be provided their LCPS regular morning transportation on a schedule also adjusted by two hours. Any school activities typically scheduled for the morning before school may be adjusted well in advance to account for the updated schedule.
Some schools that have morning practices may schedule those practices during this PD time if such scheduling does not interfere with teachers’ participation in PD.
LCPS does not anticipate any changes to afternoon activities, sports or meetings, since dismissal times will remain unchanged.
Will there be alternative arrangements for students who cannot be dropped off later on the adjusted arrival days?
On adjusted arrival days school staff will be available at arrival time just as they are on a regular bell schedule day. On every school day, students may arrive no earlier than 20 minutes ahead of the bell ringing.
LCPS is also actively engaging with our nearby childcare providers, both public and private, to assess both the need and feasibility of additional early childcare options.
Once the school board votes on a final calendar, LCPS will be able to complete the planning process for coverage or programs during the two-hour difference. We anticipate that any capacity will be limited, and encourage parents to make alternate arrangements for childcare on adjusted arrival days.
What about childcare options for the shorter day?
LCPS will work with our community partners and daycare programs to explore options. We understand the inconvenience this schedule shift may cause working parents; however, implementing strategies that will maximize student success remains our priority. Every effort will be made to assess impacts and offer mitigations where possible. This plan will have no impact on after-school childcare.
On adjusted arrival days school staff will be available at arrival time as they are on a regular bell schedule day. On every school day, students may arrive no earlier than 20 minutes ahead of the bell ringing.
Once the school board votes on a final calendar, LCPS will be able to complete the planning process for coverage or programs during the two-hour difference. We anticipate that any capacity will be limited, and encourage parents to make alternate arrangements for childcare on adjusted arrival days.
How will the school ensure supervision and safety during an adjusted arrival day?
An adjusted arrival day will be treated the same as any other arrival day. Teachers or staff will complete the arrival process as usual after attending their scheduled PD sessions. School staff will be available at arrival time as they are on a regular bell schedule day. On every school day, students may arrive no earlier than 20 minutes ahead of the bell ringing.
Will there be any changes to the school calendar due to adjusted arrival days?
Any and all schedule changes related to the PD needs will be published on the calendar once approved by the School Board. The proposed calendar changes do include a full school year calendar with all dates and days included.
How will adjusted arrival days benefit my child's education?
By allowing educators to be fully informed about delivering quality instruction in line with new state standards, state mandates and expectations, LCPS can offer students the best opportunity for success in the classroom and on state assessments.
Will students who eat breakfast at school still be provided those meals?
Yes, school nutrition will be offering grab-and-go breakfast items to fulfill breakfast needs and requirements.
How will the school communicate information about adjusted arrival days to parents?
As soon as the school board votes on an updated calendar, all versions of the calendars for students and schools, and staff calendars for all contract lengths, will be updated and posted. In addition, parents will receive a text and email when the new calendars are available. Reminders about adjusted arrival times and cadence will be included in newsletters.
Will bus transportation be provided on the days with an adjusted arrival time planned?
Yes. Bus schedules will be adjusted. These schedules will be reflected in ParentVue and in the StopFinder app parents can download.
Will middle and high school students miss their morning A or B day class and how can they make up that work?
Students on a block schedule will not miss classes on the day of adjusted arrival. Classes will be shortened during the adjusted arrival day.
Will students have enough time with their teachers to learn? Does this reduce instructional time?
Adding sixteen adjusted arrival days will not impact LCPS’s ability to meet the state requirements for days and instructional time. Total learning time will still meet all requirements. We also know that when teachers participate in professional learning, they gain new knowledge and skills that positively impact student learning. Professional learning provides teachers with important knowledge and instructional strategies to improve their practice. The increased training requirements ultimately benefit both teachers and students by enhancing teaching practices, ensuring alignment to state standards and creating a more conducive learning environment.
Did LCPS and the School Board get parent and community feedback on this new schedule?
LCPS consulted educators, principals and operational staff on the impacts of any schedule change. The public and staff can contact LCPS to provide additional feedback on the adjusted arrival days.
What will this adjustment to the calendar cost?
The proposed adjusted arrival days would have no additional costs. If the teacher contract was increased by four days versus LCPS opting for adjusted arrival days, the cost for an extra four days on teacher contracts would be approximately $17.5M.
Will the buildings/facilities be available for use by other groups when students are not present that day?
No, since the school’s use of the building for training and PD will take place during school hours, additional community use will not be approved.
If an inclement weather day causes school to be closed on an adjusted arrival day or, if snow causes a two-hour delay on a day already scheduled on an adjusted arrival, will the adjusted arrival day be rescheduled?
No, the adjusted arrival day will not be rescheduled.
