How does the District develop the calendar each year?
Do you ever wonder how we decide when school starts or which days we have off for professional development? Check out the in-depth process that shapes our academic calendar and discover the conversation behind those important decisions! Creating an academic calendar for a school district is a complex task that requires careful consideration of various factors. The Seaford School District calendar creation process involves a dedicated committee of stakeholders selected by the Seaford Education Association and District Administration.
Key considerations for calendar development:
Contractual Obligations
Teachers are required to work 188 days and paraprofessionals 185 days.
One classroom Day at the beginning of the year and one at the end of the year
Half day record keeping days during the first three marking periods
Two Parent Conference Days (11:00 – 6:30) at the end of the first two marking periods
Hour-Based Attendance Requirement
Complying with state regulations, the committee factors in the hour-based attendance requirement for students. This ensures that the academic calendar aligns with state guidelines, providing students with the required instructional time.
The required minimal hours for students in grades K-11 is 1,060, while the required minimum hours for Seniors is 1,032. A full school day is considered 6.5 hours.
Our target is 175 instructional days for students as this provides the appropriate hours with some buffer for inclement weather.
State and Federal Holidays, Elections, and Statewide PD Day
The committee meticulously incorporates state and federal holidays, election days, and the statewide professional development (PD) day into the calendar.
Since 2026 is an election year, we will need to consider both primary and regular elections (as well as Return Day).
Collaboration and Professional Development Days
Recognizing the importance of collaboration and professional development, the committee strategically schedules days for staff to collaborate, analyze data, and enhance their knowledge on relevant education topics.
In February, the committee engages in thorough discussions and brainstorming to create a draft of the academic calendar. This draft is then presented to the Seaford School District Board in March for further discussion and approval. The Board plays a pivotal role in refining the proposed calendar to meet the district's vision. Following Board approval in March, the final copy of the calendar is prepared for submission to the state by the end of April. This timeline ensures compliance with state regulations and allows for any necessary adjustments based on feedback from the board and the community.
We are asking anyone with suggestions to please reach out to a member of the committee, send us a message on Facebook, or email Mr. Cameron directly. All reasonable requests and suggestions will be taken into consideration as the calendar committee convenes on February 19th.
Name and representative groups for the 2026 Calendar Committee:
Mr. Jason Cameron (District Administrator)
Dr. Krissy Jennette (District Administrator)
Mrs. Sara Smith (Special Programs Administrator)
Mrs. Kiara Briggs (Elementary Teacher)
Ms. Natasha Waters (Secondary Instructional Coach)
Mrs. Melody Kimbler (Secondary Paraprofessional)
Mr. Richard Fairchild (Elementary Paraprofessional)
Mrs. Pattie Barnes (Secondary Administrator)
Mrs. Mary Kay Baldwin (Elementary Administrator)
Mrs. Hailey Dopson (Parent)