Grades 1-12 

The Superintendent of Schools shall ensure that:

1. The school year provides at least 180 days of school for all grades.
2. The school year provides a minimum of 900 hours of actual school work; in meeting this requirement, no more than seven (7) hours of actual school work on a given day shall be credited toward meeting the 900 hour minimum.
3. In an early school closing or delayed opening because of weather, the district will still provide a minimum of 900 hours of actual school work by the conclusion of the school year.
4. Should it be necessary to consider alternative scheduling in any single school year, because of unusual circumstances which could interfere with fulfilling the 180 day school year requirement, the Superintendent shall recommend to the Board a plan for alternative scheduling to be transmitted to the State Board of Education for its consideration and possible approval.

In complying with statutory requirements for a minimum of 900 hours per year, the Superintendent shall exclude from the definition of actual school work that time provided for student lunch periods and non-institutional recesses at the elementary schools and students' lunch and passing time in the middle schools and the senior high school. 

Kindergarten 

The Superintendent of Schools shall ensure that: 

1. The school year provides at least 180 days of school.
2. The school year provides a minimum of 450 hours of actual school work; in meeting this requirement, no more than seven (7) hours of actual school work on a given day shall be credited toward meeting the 450 hour minimum school year.
3. In an early school closing or delayed opening because of weather, either the morning or afternoon kindergarten session shall count as a school day.
   
   The requirement that only a two hour continuous kindergarten session counts as a school day in the event of an early closing has been eliminated.
4. In the event of an early closing because of weather, the kindergarten session shall count as a school day, regardless of its length.
5. Should it be necessary to consider alternative scheduling in any single school year, because of unusual circumstances which could interfere with meeting the 180 day school year requirement, the Superintendent shall recommend, and the Board review and act upon a plan for alternative scheduling to be transmitted to the State Board of Education for its consideration and possible approval.

In complying with statutory requirements for a minimum of 450 hours per year for kindergartens, the Superintendent shall exclude from the definition of actual school work that time provided for student lunch periods and non-institutional recesses. 

Legal Reference: 

Connecticut General Statutes 

10-15 Towns to maintain schools.

10-16 Length of school day (as amended by PA-161 An Act Concerning Reduction of Education Mandates).

10-16b Prescribed courses of study.

10-220 Duties of boards of education.

Policy adopted: April 11, 2000 

Hamden Public Schools     Hamden, Connecticut