School district calendar approved
The Darlington County Board of Education approved the 2019-2020 Darlington County School District calendar at its December meeting. The calendar is a culmination of the work by the district’s calendar committee, comprised of parents, students, community members, teachers, administrators and district staff. The committee sifted through the numerous requirements and requests to shape and refine the final calendar.
As required by law, students cannot begin school before the third Monday in August. Darlington County students will start school Aug. 19, 2019. Teachers will start earlier on Aug. 12. The law also requires that students attend class for 180 days and teachers have 10 days of professional development.
Under South Carolina law, school districts must designate at least three days as inclement weather make-up days. The school district set aside four days – two in each semester – to accommodate fall and winter inclement weather possibilities as well as block scheduling.
For 2019-2020, the inclement weather make-up days will be Nov. 1, Dec. 20, April 10, and June 4. If those days are not needed for make-up days, schools will be closed. If they are needed to make up missed days due to inclement weather, those days will be regular school days and attendance will be taken.
School districts are permitted three short days a year, which count toward the 180-day requirement. Two short days will be at the end of the year to allow school and district staff to wrap up grades and prepare buildings for summer. The third day will be immediately after the end of third quarter to give teachers time for grade verification.
“The calendar committee did an outstanding job of balancing wants and needs, requirements and requests,” said Audrey Childers, DCSD public information officer. “I commend them for their hard work. Putting together the calendar is not an easy task. It involves a lot of negotiation and compromise. They did a fantastic job.”
JULY 2019
4: No school: Independence Day
To be announced: Registration
AUGUST 2019
To be announced: Registration
12-16: No school: Professional development
19: First day of school for students
SEPTEMBER 2019
2: No school: Labor Day
19: Full day of school; Parent conferences 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
20: No school: Parent conferences; 1/2 day for teachers
OCTOBER 2019
3 : No school: Professional Development/Teacher Workday/Grade Verification
30: Report cards sent home
NOVEMBER 2019
1: Inclement weather day. If NOT needed, schools will be closed, district offices will be open.
27-29: No school: Thanksgiving
DECEMBER 2019
20: Inclement weather day. If NOT needed, schools and district offices will be closed. 23-Jan. 3: Christmas/Winter Break
JANUARY 2020
6.: Classes resume
16: No school: Prof. Development/Teacher Workday/Grade Verification
20: No school: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
24: Report cards sent home
FEBRUARY 2020
20: Full day of school; parent conferences
21 No school: Parent conferences, 1/2 day for teachers
MARCH 2020
24: Early dismissal before lunch/teacher workday
3: Report cards sent home
APRIL 2020
10: Inclement weather day. If NOT needed, schools and district offices will be closed.
13-17: Spring Break – students and everyone except 12-month employees
13-15: Spring Break – 12-month employees
MAY 2020
25: No school: Memorial Day
JUNE 2020
2-3: Early dismissal before lunch/teacher workday
3: Last day for students
4: No school: Professional development/grade verification/inclement weather day (district offices will be open)
If June 4 is used as inclement weather day:
2: Regular school day
3 and 4: Early dismissal before lunch/teacher workday
5: No school: Professional development/grade verification.
