Hinsdale D86 Moves Finals Before Winter Break on 2015-16 School Calendar

Image: School Calendar: 2015-2016. Final draft after survey, Calendar Committee & Executive Cabinet Review

First semester final exams in Hinsdale Township High School District 86 will take place before winter break in the 2015-16 school year, after the school board approved the recommendations of the calendar committee at the Feb. 23 meeting.

The first day of school has been scheduled for Aug. 17, a few days early compared to the Aug. 22 start date in 2014, according to the final draft of the calendar. The final day of school for non-seniors is set for June 6, 2016. However, if no emergency days are used, the final day will be May 27, 2016.

Pamela Bylsma, assistant superintendent for academics, first presented the calendar changes Feb. 9. She then revised the report with school community feedback and calendar committee recommendations. She presented the final recommendations Feb. 23.

Here are the need-to-know dates, according to the new calendar:

• Freshman Orientation Day: Aug. 12
• First day for all students: Aug. 17
• First semester final exams: Dec. 16-18 (originally after winter break)
• Winter break: Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, 2016.
• Second semester begins: Jan. 4, 2016
• Second semester final exams for non-seniors: May 25-27, 2016
• Final day of school for non-seniors: June 6, 2016 (tentative)
• Graduation: May 19, 2016 Central / May 20, 2016 South

A survey posted on the District 86 website gathered input from 1,541 people about the calendar, according to the calendar committee report. The support staff, licensed faculty, students, parents and guardians who took the survey showed a preference for moving final exams before winter break.

Graphs via the 2015-2016 Calendar Committee Report Updated

What do you think of the 2015-16 calendar? Tell us in the comments.

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