Click the above image to open a PDF of the proposed 2022-23 school year calendar.
A recent survey of stakeholders, including students, staff, families, and members of the Des Moines community presented feedback for the school district about many of the proposed adjustments to the school calendar for the 2022-23 school year. If you participated, thank you! More than 6,000 respondents weighed in. The calendar committee reviewed the results and comments, and has made some changes to the calendar to meet the needs of as many stakeholders as possible.
“It’s important that the community see the results and know that we are genuinely listening to their voices and working to create a calendar that represents our collective values and beliefs,” said Associate Superintendent Matthew Smith, who called for the districtwide survey. “The survey results clearly articulate that our community values additional inclusive holidays, dedicated time for teacher conferences, and has an overwhelming determination to finish the year earlier, without a May break.”
The calendar committee reviewed the results of the survey and made changes sought by the majority of the respondents. In the current proposed calendar, the first day of school is August 24 and the last day is June 6. A proposed week-long break in May is eliminated and teacher conferences are reintroduced.
Adjustments were made to professional development days to better meet the needs of teachers. Graduation is one week later than in recent years, giving high school staff and administrators the opportunity to have a Memorial Day weekend off with their families. The addition of more school days off for religious and cultural celebrations remains in place.
The revised calendar for the 2022-23 school year is scheduled to be presented to the School Board at their meeting on Tuesday, November 16, with a vote scheduled for the December 7 meeting.
