Plymouth School Committee Approves 2025-2026 Academic Calendar
Earlier start date set for teachers and students
PLYMOUTH - February 10 - The Plymouth School Committee has approved the academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year, setting an earlier start date for both teachers and students.
Teachers will begin on Aug. 25, with two days of preparation before students in grades 1-12 start on Aug. 27. Kindergarten students will begin on Aug. 28, while preschool classes will commence on Sept. 2.
Superintendent Chris Campbell presented the proposed calendar to the committee, highlighting key dates and changes.
"With the contract adjustments that were made, we're allowed to start a little bit earlier," Campbell said.
The calendar includes seven in-service half days spread throughout the year. Notable dates include Veterans Day observance, Thanksgiving recess from Nov. 26-28, and a two-week holiday break from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2.
Winter recess is scheduled for the week of Feb. 16, while spring break will occur during the week of April 20. The last day of school, barring any weather-related cancellations, is set for June 17, with graduation planned for June 6.
In other business, the district announced the implementation of a new communication tool aimed at improving engagement with multilingual families.
The app, called TalkingPoints, allows teachers to communicate with families in their preferred language. Messages are automatically translated, facilitating instant two-way communication.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Stacey Rogers explained the benefits of the system.
"If you're a classroom teacher, you log into TalkingPoints. You can send a text message to your class," Rogers said. "It will translate it into whatever language is for the students in the class."
The tool has been particularly effective in reaching families who may not be fluent in English. Campbell noted that it has become a preferred method of communication for many families, surpassing email or phone calls.
"It's completely instantaneous, and it's amazingly accurate," Campbell said. "We're finding that our families, particularly our families who may not speak fluent English, are utilizing this quite often."
The district is also initiating a comprehensive equity audit to examine its policies, procedures, and operational structures. The audit aims to ensure equitable support for all students and families.
Campbell outlined the scope of the audit, which will include stakeholder surveys, curriculum analysis, and interviews.
"We're in the process of conducting a comprehensive equity audit, and this will be a district-wide audit, where we're looking at our policies, procedures, and operational structures supportive of all students and families in the most equitable way," Campbell said.
The audit will involve self-assessments at every building and district-wide, as well as surveys of families and students. A curriculum and data analysis will also be part of the process.
Dr. James Sorensen, a committee member, emphasized the importance of gathering input from all students during the audit process.
"I believe any audit that is worth its weight will obviously get the opinions of the minority students of their needs and wants. However, I would also think the opinions and philosophies of the majority students about sharing and acceptance and conversation with the minority students," Sorensen said.
Campbell assured the committee that the audit would seek input from a representative sample of all students and families.
In other news, the committee acknowledged the retirement of Michael Spencer, a former principal at Nathaniel Morton Elementary School. Spencer is retiring after 13 years with the district and over 32 years in K-5 education.
Committee member Katherine Jackson expressed gratitude for Spencer's service.
"On behalf of the district, we would like to thank Michael Spencer for his 13-plus years of service to the district. He definitely was a big act to follow," Jackson said.
The next School Committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 23.