BOARD APPROVES 2015-2016 SCHOOL CALENDAR

The Wicomico County Board of Education approved the calendar for the 2015-2016 school year at its April 14 Board meeting. The school year will begin on Aug. 31 for most students. The approved calendar will be posted later this week at www.wcboe.org.Over the past three months, the Board collected input on three calendar drafts. At its March meeting, the Board approved on 1st reading the draft with an Aug. 31 start date. This 2015-2016 school year calendar approved April 14 on 2nd and final reading was shaped by input from hundreds of people who submitted comments by email, survey, phone or in person.

​The approved calendar begins the school year on Monday, Aug. 31 for most students and ends the school year on Thursday, June 9, 2016. This calendar was the clear favorite among people who gave input on three different draft calendars.

Dates on the Approved 2015-2016 school calendar:

Aug. 25: Teachers report

Aug. 31: First day of school for all Wicomico students in grades 1-6 and grade 9 (Grade 6 only at Mardela Middle and High, all grades report at Pittsville Elementary and Middle). Prekindergarten/Kindergarten students report as assigned by school.

Sept. 1: All Wicomico students grades 1-12 in school. Prekindergarten/Kindergarten students report as assigned by school.

Sept. 7 (Labor Day): Schools and Central Office closed

Oct. 16: Professional Day, schools closed for students. Teachers will have the morning for planning or for attending Maryland State Education Association Convention training activities. The afternoon will be for school-based professional development as planned by the principal.

Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving break, schools and Central Office closed

Dec. 21-Jan. 1: Schools closed for winter holiday break. Schools close at regular time Friday, Dec. 18, and reopen Monday, Jan. 4. Central Office and school offices open Dec. 21-22 and 28-30.

Jan. 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday): Schools and Central Office closed

Jan. 25-26: Professional days, schools closed for students.

Feb. 15 (Presidents’ Day): Schools and Central Office closed

Feb. 29: Professional Day, schools closed for students

March 25 and 28: Schools and Central Office closed for spring holiday break

April 5* (Presidential Primary): Schools and Central Office closed. (*The General Assembly passed legislation moving the state’s Presidential Primary to the last Tuesday in April, which in 2016 is April 26. This bill is now awaiting the governor’s signature.)

May 26: Evening High School commencement

May 30 (Memorial Day): Schools and Central Office closed

June 3: Commencement ceremony for Parkside High

June 4: Commencement ceremonies for Mardela High, Wicomico High and James M. Bennett High

June 7, 8, 9: Early dismissal days for students

June 9: Last day of school for students

June 13: Last day for teachers