Overview:

In the past three years, MSDWT has started school on the FIRST WEDNESDAY OF AUGUST (Aug 3rd in ‘16, Aug 2nd in ‘17 & Aug 1st in ‘18).  

In 2019, the first Wednesday of August is August 7th, but if the past years’ trends are followed, the 2019 school year could actually start on Wednesday, July 31st!

Petition:

We Parents & Stakeholders hereby petition the MSDWT School Board and Administration to eliminate starting school in the first week in August. Instead schedule the start of school to begin on either the second OR third Wednesday in August as long as it starts anytime ON or AFTER August 8th.

Parents acknowledge state minimum school day requirements and respect the school board's desire to start before Labor Day and end by late May. This proposed change will not disrupt those factors as we have modeled dates from nearby townships that align with our proposed request. We share those dates and the following arguments for change below: 

MSDWT                               August 1 / May 22

Fishers & Zionsville             August 8 / May 24

Carmel                                 August 14 / May 30

Arguments in Favor of later start date:

-Kids are missing out on enjoying the warmest part of Indiana summer (August) by returning on August 1st. Indiana’s climate precludes kids from enjoying outdoor time year-round so it’s important to maximize as much warm weather as possible.

-If MSDWT wants to attract new families into our district, we must compete with other nearby school districts offering later school start dates.   

-Given Climate Change concerns, running air conditioning at the hottest time of the summer (first two weeks in August) is inefficient and costly.

-Many parents are highly frustrated by the early start date, have raised the issue seemingly to no avail and believe that the Board does not fully appreciate the high priority level that parents place on this issue.

Therefore, the undersigned Parents ask the school board to adopt a new school calendar to start the 2019 & beyond school years on either the second OR third Wednesday in August as long as it starts ON or AFTER August 8th. 

Thank you.

Supportive Parents & Stakeholders in MSDWT