BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT 501

                                                                                    2280

BOARD POLICY

LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY RELEASE OF STUDENTS AND

SITE-BASED PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT PLANNING

 The Bellingham School District recognizes the relationship between site-based planning (Policy 6520), school program improvement (Policy 2004), and student learning. Staff collaboration, planning, and learning are critical elements of the improvement process.

Therefore, the Board of Directors will establish schedules to support parent-teacher communication about student progress and staff learning and collaborative time as part of a school improvement plan provided that:  

1. overall student instructional time remains the same;
2. planned staff learning activities are collaborative, rather than individual, and are based on identified school learning improvement needs.
3. the relationship to school improvement goals/objectives is clear; and,
4. parents have been involved.

The schedules of all schools will be adjusted for Early Release or Late Arrival on a maximum of eight (8) student days to support staff collaboration and planning.

Elementary and middle levels will have two (2) additional days that must be used for conferencing with parents of students who are not meeting standards, as described in Policy 2421, Progress and Promotion. Schools may also use one of the original eight days for conferences with parents of students not meeting standards. Sites with large numbers of students not at standard may request two (2) additional days for conferences, for a maximum of 5 days for conferencing with parents of students not meeting standard. The Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop administrative procedures and guidelines to implement this policy.

Adopted: 6-26-03

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