School Calendar

Each public school district is required to prepare a proposed school year calendar, consisting of a minimum of 185 school days to ensure 176 days of attendance. (105 ILCS 5/10-19). The SCISC Executive Director is responsible for reviewing and approving all public school calendars submitted by public school districts. Per Section 10-19 of the Illinois School Code, the calendar and any changes must be submitted and approved prior to the calendar or change taking effect.

School Calendar Waivers:

Should a district choose to be in session on any of the following five legal holidays, the district must go through the waiver process.
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday (February 12)
Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January)
Casmir Pulaski’s Birthday (first Monday in March)
Christopher Columbus’ Birthday (second Monday in October)
Veteran’s Day (November 11)

The steps for the waiver process are as follows:

• • The district must hold a public hearing about the proposal
  • Notice shall be provided to both educators and parents preceding the public hearing
  • The notice shall set forth the time, date, place of the hearing, and describe the proposal
  • The notice must indicate that testimony will be taken from educators and parents about the proposal
  • After the hearing, the school board will approve the proposal; as long as no term dates are included in the proposal, the waiver is good for life
  • Once the school board has approved the waiver, a letter on district letterhead should be sent to South Cook ISC. The letter should outline the date the public hearing was held, the list(s) of specific holidays that have been waived, and the date that the school board officially approved the waiver. Upon receipt of the holiday waiver information, South Cook ISC will be able to approve student attendance days on the approved holidays.

The district must recognize the person or persons honored by the holiday through instructional activities conducted on that day or, if the day is not used for student attendance, on the first school day preceding or following that day.