Maquoketa Community School District is considering moving early dismissal days from Wednesday afternoons to Friday afternoons for the 2025-2026 school year, and we want to hear from you!
Many other school districts within our AEA (Area Education Agency) are also exploring this shift due to its potential benefits for student learning, instructional time, and scheduling alignment. The change is being considered for several key reasons:
✅ Maximizing Instructional Time – Students already miss multiple Fridays due to scheduled activities, holidays, and events. Moving early outs to Fridays would reduce midweek disruptions and preserve valuable learning time.
✅ Better Alignment with Eastern Iowa Community College (EICC) – Many dual-enrollment opportunities occur on Fridays, and this shift could support increased participation for students.
✅ Learning Momentum – Having a four-day succession promotes learning momentum for all students. This has been consistent feedback regarding preschool and some of our youngest learners.
✅ More Effective Teacher Planning – Having professional learning at the end of the week allows staff to review student progress, analyze data, and prepare for the upcoming week.
✅ Consistency with Neighboring Districts – Many of our partnering districts are considering this shift. As we whole grade share with some of these districts, aligning schedules will be important.
While there are many potential benefits, we also recognize that there may be challenges, such as adjusting to a new routine and potential increases in Friday absences. That’s why your feedback is essential as we work with the Calendar Committee and School Board to make a final recommendation.
📢 We encourage all families to complete the survey and share their thoughts on this potential change. Your input will help us make the best decision for our students, staff, and community.
Thank you,
Superintendent Notz