SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By SFPS
Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Veronica C. Garcia has clarified that SFPS will offer a voluntary K-8 Plus program during the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. The program, which adds 20 days to the calendar in July, is entirely voluntary for both students and teachers and is dependent upon being selected for funding from the New Mexico Public Education Department. In addition, should funding be received, SFPS will add an additional five Extended Learning Program days for all students at the beginning of the school calendar.
“Recent news reports have resulted in confusion. There are two proposals under consideration. The K-8 Plus program, which is dependent on state funding, is entirely voluntary. The Extended Learning Program adds five days and would not be voluntary; the five days would simply be added to the beginning of our traditional school calendar.
“We are surveying staff regarding the additional five days. Depending on survey results, we will solicit family input and make final determinations, keeping in mind that the Extended Learning Program is contingent on being chosen for funding by the New Mexico Public Education Department,” said Superintendent Dr. Garcia.
If SFPS receives funding, voluntary K-8 Plus programming will begin on July 6th and end on July 31st only in schools with sufficient program seats and support from teachers and parents.
If funding for the mandatory five additional days is received, the school year for all students would begin on August 10th, 2020.
Under both program proposals, teachers would be compensated for their additional instructional days.
SFPS’ traditional calendar for 2020-2021 is based on stakeholder input and is available at www.sfps.info.
