Attleboro School Committee Looks to Parents for Help

It is not every day that the Attleboro School Committee turns to parents to help make decisions, but today they did. 

Attleboro School Committee Chairman Ray DiCiaccio reached out to some Attleboro parents in an e-mail today asking for their input on when to start next year's school year and teacher professional development days. 

"The Attleboro School Committee is requesting that parents help us in determining some scheduling-related items for the 2011-2012 school year," Chairman Ray DiCiaccio wote in an e-mail to parents. 

The request for input comes after the committee's most recent meeting where committee member Jim Stors suggested having half-days on Fridays instead of Wednesdays. Superintendent Pia Durkin and several committee members shot down Stors' suggestion. 

Another major decision is when to start the school year. The committee discussed starting school on Aug. 31 or delaying the start until after Labor Day. 

"We value your input and want to make sure we are always communicating and serving our families in the best possible manner."

"Below we list some items that will help shape next year's calendar," he added.

The first request for recommendation was about the first day of school, and two options were presented. The first option is for school to begin on Wednesday, Sept. 7, and end on Thursday, June 21. Option two has the school year beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 31, with no class on Friday, Sept. 2, and classes resuming Tuesday, Sept. 5. With this option school will end Monday, June. 18.

DiCiaccio also requested recommendations on professional development days. 

There will have be six professional development days in the 2011-2012 school year which are currently scheduled for Wednesdays. "Would you prefer that the half-days continue to be on Wednesdays?" he asked. "Would you prefer that the half-days be on Fridays instead?"

DiCiaccio has been visiting various schools' PTOs to talk to parents, according to Stors.

"He and I talked with the Hill-Robert's PTO last week about the start date, the half-day professional days, as well as the expected upcoming budget difficulties; and the response was very supportive of the September 7 start date, as well as the Friday half-day professional days, from my take on things," Stors said. 

DiCiaccio has visited Thacher Elementary School and will visit Coehlo Middle School tonight, according to Stors.

"Most of the e-mail responses have been provided to Mr. DiCiaccio, though I have heard from numerous committee members who indicated that they have been receiving responses as well," Stors added. "One area that the committee was not apprised of, which we've now been made aware of by the parents, is the effect that the August calendar start date would have on the special education student families where that student participates in the extended school year program(s).

 "From their input we are now aware that they very much value those couple of weeks before the September start date because that is the only summer time that they have off."

Many parents, including reader Kellie Laliberte, have extended gratitude for being given a chance to weigh in on this topic.

Parents are encouraged to email Chairman Ray DiCiaccio at ray@sensiblecomp.com or to call by phone at 508-226-7590.  You can also reach out to committee member Jim Stors  at thestors@comcast.net with feedback.