Littleton Public Schools is committed to increasing achievement levels for every student. The district achievement goal states, “90% of all students will be on or above grade level in reading, math, writing, and science by 2011. The achievement gap in student performance will be cut in half by 2009.” This goes hand in hand with the district’s belief that a well-rounded education is important to each student’s success.

Beginning August 2007, all LPS schools will provide time for teachers to meet together to have frequent, consistent, and data-driven conversations about student achievement. These meetings are called Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). There are 10 late-start days built into next year’s calendar that allow time for PLCs to take place.

In PLC meetings, teachers answer four critical questions:
What is essential for students to learn?
How will we know when each student has learned it?
How will we respond when a student experiences difficulty in learning?
How will we respond when a student already knows it?
Through this kind of collaboration, instructional staff will be able to work together to continually improve their teaching to ensure high levels of learning for every student.

It’s important to remember that no instructional time is lost in this model; non-student time is being restructured, and seven minutes are being added to every school day. This makes the two-hour late start on the 10 PLC days possible.

Please take note of the important information below pertaining to the 10 late-start days in the 2007-2008 school year. We thank you for your support as we work to better educate your student.

Bell schedules
Beginning in August 2007, high schools begin school and dismiss as follows:
Littleton—7:21 a.m. to 2:13 p.m.
Arapahoe—7:21 a.m. to 2:16 p.m.
Heritage—7:21 a.m. to 2:18 p.m.

On the 10 PLC days, high schools will begin at 9:21 a.m.

Transportation
Buses will run later on the 10 late-start PLC days, as well. These times will be reflected in the bus schedule that will be sent to parents prior to the beginning of the school year.

To ensure safety, please make sure your student arrives at school at the later start time on those 10 days and not before. The school will NOT provide supervision for students who arrive early.

The 10 late-start days during the 2008-2009 school year for PLC work are:

Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009

A reminder for parents
As a reminder, LPS will call and leave a recorded message for families prior to each of the 10 late-start days.