APS Return to School Plans for 2020-21

School Start & Dismissal Times

School start and dismissal times will differ from previous years due to transportation guidance and the need to keep students and staff physically distanced and safe. Additionally, our goal is to mirror a school day for our students and teachers in either the hybrid or remote models.

Grade Level	Start/ Dismissal
Pre-K	9 AM - 11:30 AM & 12:30 PM - 3 PM
Grades K - 5	8:45 AM - 3:15 PM
Grades 6 - 8	7:45 AM - 2:20 PM
Grades 9 - 12	8:15 AM - 2:51 PM

Term Dates for 2020-21 school year

Students will be required to complete 170 school days this year. As a result of the changing schedules, term dates are as follows:

Grade level	Term	Term	Term	Term
Pre K & K	Sept. 21- Jan. 21	Jan. 22- June 16
Grades 1-5	Sept.16 - Feb. 2	Feb. 3 - June 16
Grades 6-8	Sept. 16 - Dec. 10	Dec.11 - March 23	March 24- June 16
Grades 9-12	Sept.16 - Nov. 18	Nov.19 - Feb. 2	Feb. 3 - April 8	April 9 - June 16

Elementary Parent/ Teacher Conferences:

Kindergarten Only: November 6, 2020
Grades 1-5: November 3, 2020
Grade K-5: weeks of March 1 & March 8th, 2021

2020- 21 Modified School Year Calendar

Changes to the 2020-21 School Year calendar

On Thursday, December 3^rd, the School Committee voted to approve modifications to the current (2020-21) school year calendar.

The changes stem from public feedback requesting the days for professional development and early release days be moved to Wednesdays for the rest of the school year in order to maximize the potential for in-person learning under the hybrid model. Wednesdays are a remote learning day for all students in the district.

These changes will begin on Wednesday, January 7, 2021.

This year, DESE also has reduced the number of required days for students from 180 days to 170 days.

School Committee Policy EBC - Supplemental

The Andover School Committee recognizes the resulting disruption of the traditional school day and year; concerns of students, families, APS staff, and the community; and the potential for issues to continue impacting public education, all as a result of the COVID-19 emergency declared by the Governor. Updated policy changes implemented during the COVID-19 emergency can be located on the School Committee's Policy page.