LEUSD Proposes New Class Start Times For Upcoming Year

The following is a news release from the Lake Elsinore Unified School District (Editor's Note: LEUSD parents and community members are welcome to weigh in on the issue during the June 20 board meeting):

New start times affecting multiple grade levels except high school, and the elimination of minimum days, are among the proposed changes to the 2013-14 School Year Calendar. The Governing Board will consider approval during a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, June 20, in the Board Room, located at 545 Chaney Street, in Lake Elsinore.
 
School officials regard these changes as an essential part of implementing the new Common Core Standards, a nationwide effort to prepare students for college and career success.

“The success of our students depends on every day attendance, instructional mastery, and a calendar that meets all our goals for implementing Common Core beginning in 2013-14,” said Dr. Doug Kimberly, District Superintendent.
 
California’s Common Core standards must be in place by 2014-15, so LEUSD is making several needed changes to the 2013-14 calendar and bell schedules to facilitate this collaborative effort. A summary of the proposed 2013-14 School Year Calendar is shown on page 3.
 
Adjusted school start times take into consideration student learning needs, bus transportation requirements, and input from LEUSD’s two associations, the Lake Elsinore Teachers Association (LETA) and the California School Employees Association, Chapter 598 (CSEA).
 
The following schedules by grade level provide for additional supervision and/or after school programs at sites, due to bus transportation routing and timing impacts. Fee-based childcare will also continue to be provided at designated district and site locations before and after school.
 
School Start and End Times (proposed):
Elementary: 8 a.m.—1:45 p.m.
§  AM Kinder           8:00 a.m.—11:40 a.m.
§  PM Kinder         10:05 a.m.—1:45 p.m.
§  Grades 1-5          8:00 a.m.—1:45 p.m.
School buses arrive approximately 1:45 p.m.
 
School Start and End Times (continued):
K-8: varies for K-5, 6-8
§  AM Kinder           8:00 a.m.—11:40 a.m.
§  PM Kinder         10:05 a.m.—1:45 p.m.
§  Grades K-5         8:00 a.m.—1:45 p.m.
School buses do not arrive until approximately 2:10 p.m.

§  Grades 6-8          7:50 a.m.—1:45 p.m.
School buses do not arrive until approximately 2:10 p.m.
 
Middle School: varies by site
§  CLMS      7:40 a.m.—1:44 p.m.
School buses do not arrive until approximately 3:15 p.m.; therefore, after school program to be offered to all students.

§  TCMS     7:40 a.m.—1:44 p.m.
School buses do not arrive until approximately 3:15 p.m.; therefore, after school program to be offered to all students.

§  DABMS   7:30 a.m.—1:34 p.m.
School buses arrive approximately 1:34 p.m.

§  EMS        7:30 a.m.—1:34 p.m.
School buses arrive approximately 1:34 p.m.
 
High School: 7:45 p.m. —2:31 p.m.
§  All*           7:45 a.m.—2:31 p.m.
School buses arrive approximately 2:31 p.m.*EHS, LHS, TCHS
 
Once approved by the Governing Board on June 20th, the final 2013-14 School Calendar and start times will be posted on the district’s Web site and publicized to all LEUSD stakeholders. Important reminder: in June and August, Governing Board meetings will start at 9:00 a.m. (no meeting in July). Governing Board meetings are open to the public.
 
2013-14 School Year Calendar proposed
July 24, 25---------------- Administrative Team staff development
August 12, 13------------ Teacher Work Days
August 14----------------- First day of school for students
September 2------------- Labor Day holiday
November 11------------ Veterans Day holiday
November 18------------ K-5, K-8, MS-Teacher Work Day
November 25-27------- No school
November 28, 29------- Thanksgiving holiday
December 18-20-------- HS only-assessment minimum day
December 23------------ No school
December 24------------ District Non Work Day
December 25-31-------- Holidays
January 1----------------- New Year’s Day holiday
January 2-10------------- No school
January 13---------------- HS only-Teacher Work Day
January 13-----------------K-5, K-8, MS-Back to School
January 14---------------- HS-Back to School
January 20---------------- Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
February 14, 17--------- Lincoln’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day holiday
March 24-28------------- Spring break-no school
April 20------------------- Easter
April 28-30--------------- STAR Testing
May 1, 2, 5-9------------- STAR Testing
May 26--------------------- Memorial Day holiday
June 3---------------------- Graduation: 2:30 p.m.—OHS/KMA/SCOA/VAS, at Diamond Stadium in Lake Elsinore
June 3 ---------------------- Graduation: 7:00 p.m.—LHS, at Diamond Stadium
June 4---------------------- Graduation: 2:00 p.m.—TCHS, at Diamond Stadium
June 4: ---------------------Graduation: 7:00 p.m.—EHS, at Diamond Stadium
June 3-5------------------- HS only-assessment minimum day
June 5---------------------- Last day of school for students
June 6---------------------- Teacher Work Day-no school for students