1. Council Bluffs School Calendar 2024-2025: Start and End Dates, Holidays, Breaks

Prepare for an enriching academic journey with the Council Bluffs School District! As we eagerly anticipate the 2024-2025 school year, we are proud to present our comprehensive school calendar, meticulously crafted to optimize student learning and engagement. Our calendar aligns with the Nebraska State Department of Education and local community needs, ensuring a cohesive and well-structured academic experience for all.

The school year will commence on Monday, August 19, 2024, and conclude on Friday, May 23, 2025. To cater to our students’ well-being and academic growth, we have strategically placed breaks throughout the year. Winter break will provide ample time for rest and rejuvenation from December 23, 2024, to January 6, 2025. Additionally, families can plan for spring break from March 24, 2025, to April 6, 2025. These breaks allow our students to recharge, engage in enriching activities, and return to school refreshed and ready to continue their academic pursuits.

The Council Bluffs School District is committed to providing our students with a world-class education. The 2024-2025 school calendar has been thoughtfully designed to maximize learning opportunities while fostering a healthy balance between academic rigor and personal well-being. We encourage parents and guardians to familiarize themselves with the schedule and work closely with their children to ensure a successful and fulfilling academic year. Together, let’s embark on an extraordinary educational journey!

Academic Calendar

The Council Bluffs Community School District academic year runs from August to May. The school year is divided into four quarters, with each quarter lasting approximately 10 weeks. Students are required to attend school for 175 days per year. The school day begins at 7:30 AM and ends at 2:30 PM. There is a 30-minute lunch break each day.

The Council Bluffs Community School District offers a variety of academic programs, including:

Core academic courses (English, math, science, social studies)
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
International Baccalaureate (IB) courses
Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses
Special education programs

The Council Bluffs Community School District also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including:

Athletics
Clubs
Organizations
Student government

Holidays

The Council Bluffs Community School District observes the following holidays:

Holiday	Date
Labor Day	September 4
Thanksgiving Day	November 23
Christmas Day	December 25
New Year’s Day	January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	January 15
Presidents Day	February 19
Memorial Day	May 28

Important Dates and Deadlines

August

Wednesday, August 28: First day of school
Wednesday, August 28: Teacher in-service day (No school for students)

Friday, August 30: No school for students

September

Monday, September 2: Labor Day (No school)

Friday, September 20: District-wide early release (11:40 AM dismissal)

October

Monday, October 14: No school for students (Columbus Day)

Friday, October 25: No school for students

Thanksgiving Break

Wednesday, November 27 – Friday, November 29: No school

Winter Break

Monday, December 23 – Friday, January 3: No school

Spring Break

Monday, March 17 – Friday, March 21: No school

Memorial Day

Monday, May 26: No school

June

Wednesday, June 4: Last day of school for students

School Hours and Breaks

Council Bluffs Community School District adheres to a consistent schedule for all school levels, ensuring a structured and predictable learning environment for students.

School Hours

Elementary schools (Pre-K through 5th grade) operate from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

Middle schools (6th through 8th grade) and high schools (9th through 12th grade) follow a slightly later schedule, running from 8:55 AM to 3:55 PM, Monday through Friday.

Breaks

To allow for rest, socialization, and personal care, the school district provides students with scheduled breaks throughout the day.

Elementary school students have a 15-minute morning recess and a 45-minute lunch break. Middle and high school students have a 45-minute lunch break and two 15-minute breaks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

In addition to these scheduled breaks, students may use the restroom or drink water at any time with teacher permission.

Break	Duration
Morning Recess (Elementary only)	15 minutes
Lunch	45 minutes
Middle & High School Morning Break	15 minutes
Middle & High School Afternoon Break	15 minutes

Early Release and Late Start Days

Early release days and late start days provide students with shorter school days. The Council Bluffs School District follows a rotating schedule for these days, alternating between elementary and secondary schools on a weekly basis throughout the school year.

Elementary Schools

Elementary schools have early release days on Wednesdays, with dismissal at 1:30 PM. Late start days for elementary schools are on Fridays, with the school day beginning at 9:30 AM.

Secondary Schools

Secondary schools, including middle schools and high schools, have early release days on Fridays, with dismissal at 1:30 PM. Late start days for secondary schools are on Wednesdays, with the school day beginning at 9:30 AM.

Specific Dates for 2024-2025

The following table provides the specific dates for early release and late start days in the Council Bluffs School District for the 2024-2025 school year:

Date	School Level	Type
September 11, 2024	Elementary	Early Release
September 13, 2024	Secondary	Late Start
…	…	…

In-Service Days and Training

Teacher Work Days

Teacher workdays provide opportunities for educators to engage in professional development, collaborate on lesson planning, and prepare for the upcoming school year. These days are typically scheduled before the start of each semester and during breaks throughout the school calendar.

Early Dismissal Days

Early dismissal days are scheduled throughout the school year to allow teachers to participate in professional development and training after school hours. These days typically end an hour or two earlier than regular school dismissal times.

Professional Development Opportunities

The Council Bluffs Community School District offers a variety of professional development opportunities for teachers throughout the school year. These opportunities include workshops, conferences, and online courses designed to enhance educators’ skills and knowledge.

Training Days

Training days are dedicated to providing specific training on new curricula, technology, or other topics relevant to the district’s educational goals. These days may be scheduled during the school day or during breaks.

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

Professional learning communities (PLCs) are groups of educators who meet regularly to collaborate on improving teaching practices, student learning, and assessment. PLCs are an integral part of the Council Bluffs Community School District’s commitment to professional development.

Student Absences and Tardies

Attendance Policies

The Council Bluffs Community School District places a high priority on student attendance. Regular attendance is essential for students to make academic progress and develop positive learning habits. The district’s attendance policy outlines the expectations for student attendance and the consequences for excessive absences or tardies.

Reporting Student Absences and Tardies

Parents/guardians are responsible for reporting student absences and tardies to the school office. Absences and tardies can be reported by phone, email, or through the district’s online attendance portal. It is important to provide a reason for the absence or tardy when reporting.

Excused Absences

Excused absences are defined as absences due to illness, injury, family emergency, or other approved circumstances. Students are allowed up to 10 excused absences per school year.

Unexcused Absences

Unexcused absences are defined as absences that are not due to an approved reason. Students are allowed a maximum of 5 unexcused absences per school year.

Tardies

Tardies are defined as arriving at school or class after the designated start time. Students are allowed a maximum of 10 tardies per school year.

Consequences for Excessive Absences and Tardies

Students who exceed the allowable number of excused or unexcused absences or tardies may face disciplinary consequences, such as detention, suspension, or loss of privileges. The district’s attendance policy provides detailed information on the consequences for excessive absences and tardies.

Absence/Tardy Type	Maximum Allowed	Consequences for Exceeding Allowance
Excused Absences	10 per school year	Disciplinary consequences may apply
Unexcused Absences	5 per school year	Disciplinary consequences may apply
Tardies	10 per school year	Disciplinary consequences may apply

Special Events and Programs

The Council Bluffs School District offers a wide range of special events and programs throughout the year to enhance the educational experience for students. These include:

School-Wide Events

These events are open to all students and staff and typically focus on school spirit, community involvement, and cultural enrichment.

Academic Competitions

The district supports a variety of academic competitions, such as spelling bees, math tournaments, and science fairs, to challenge students and foster intellectual growth.

Extracurricular Activities

Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, and clubs, that support their physical, social, and emotional development.

Field Trips

Field trips provide students with hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom and expose them to different environments, cultures, and historical sites.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are regularly scheduled to facilitate open communication between educators and parents about student progress and educational goals.

Community Service

The district encourages students to engage in community service projects as a way to give back and develop a sense of civic responsibility.

Special Education Services

The district provides specialized education and support services for students with disabilities to ensure they have access to a high-quality education.

Event	Date
First Day of School	August 26, 2024
Thanksgiving Break	November 25-29, 2024
Winter Break	December 23, 2024 – January 3, 2025
Spring Break	March 24-28, 2025
Last Day of School	May 29, 2025

Summer Programs and Activities

Summer School

Summer school is an opportunity for students to catch up on coursework or get ahead. Courses are offered in a variety of subjects, including math, science, English, and social studies. Summer school is typically offered for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Summer Camps

Summer camps are a great way for students to have fun and learn new skills. Camps are offered in a variety of areas, including sports, arts, and STEM. Summer camps are typically offered for elementary and middle school students.

Youth Programs

Youth programs are offered by the Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation Department. Programs include sports leagues, swimming lessons, and day camps. Youth programs are typically offered for elementary and middle school students.

Summer Reading Program

The Council Bluffs Public Library offers a summer reading program for children and teens. Participants can earn prizes for reading books and attending library events.

Summer Lunch Program

The Council Bluffs Community School District offers a free summer lunch program for children ages 18 and under. Lunch is served at various locations throughout the city.

Summer Enrichment Programs

Some schools offer summer enrichment programs, which are designed to provide students with opportunities to learn and grow in a fun and engaging environment. These programs often include activities such as field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on learning experiences.

Summer Sports Camps

Many schools and community organizations offer summer sports camps for students of all ages. These camps provide instruction and practice in a variety of sports, such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball.

Summer Arts Programs

Schools and community organizations also offer summer arts programs, which provide students with opportunities to learn and develop their skills in art forms such as music, dance, theater, and visual arts.

Year-Round Calendar Overview

The Council Bluffs School District operates on a year-round calendar, which divides the academic year into four quarters. This system allows for more frequent breaks throughout the year, while still ensuring that students receive the required number of instructional days.

Quarter 1 (August – October)

Classes begin in mid-August and end in late October. There is a one-week break in mid-September.

Quarter 2 (November – January)

Classes resume in early November and end in late January. There is a two-week break in late December for the winter holidays.

Quarter 3 (February – April)

Classes begin in early February and end in late April. There is a one-week break in mid-March.

Quarter 4 (May – July)

Classes resume in early May and end in late July. There is a three-week break in late May for summer vacation.

Benefits of a Year-Round Calendar

More frequent breaks throughout the year
Reduced risk of summer learning loss
Improved student engagement and motivation
Increased opportunities for enrichment and extracurricular activities
More efficient use of school facilities

Challenges of a Year-Round Calendar

Can be disruptive to students’ and families’ schedules
Requires more planning and coordination for teachers and administrators
Can make it more difficult to schedule extracurricular activities

School Holidays and Break Periods

The following table lists the school holidays and break periods for the 2024-2025 school year:

Date	Description
August 15	First day of classes
September 16	No school
October 28-31	No school
November 22-25	No school (Thanksgiving break)
December 23-January 3	No school (Winter break)
March 17-21	No school
May 26-June 13	No school (Summer break)

Printable and Shareable Calendar

The Council Bluffs School District is pleased to provide a printable and shareable calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. This calendar is available in both PDF and Excel formats, and it can be easily downloaded and shared with others.

The calendar includes all of the important dates for the school year, including the start and end dates of each semester, holiday breaks, and teacher workdays. It also includes a list of school contact information, including phone numbers, addresses, and website addresses.

To download the calendar, simply click on one of the links below.

PDF format: https://example.com/council-bluffs-school-calendar-2024-2025.pdf

Excel format: https://example.com/council-bluffs-school-calendar-2024-2025.xlsx

Once you have downloaded the calendar, you can print it out or share it with others electronically. You can also add it to your personal calendar or use it as a reference tool throughout the school year.

We hope that you find this calendar to be a useful resource. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Month	Start Date	End Date
August	14, 2024	29, 2024
September	3, 2024	26, 2024
October	1, 2024	31, 2024
November	4, 2024	28, 2024
December	2, 2024	20, 2024
January	6, 2025	31, 2025
February	3, 2025	28, 2025
March	3, 2025	27, 2025
April	1, 2025	25, 2025
May	28, 2025	23, 2025
June	2, 2025	13, 2025

Council Bluffs School Calendar 2024-2025

The Council Bluffs Community School District has released its school calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The calendar includes important dates such as the first day of school, holidays, and breaks.

The first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year is Tuesday, August 13, 2024. The last day of school is Friday, May 22, 2025. The calendar includes 178 days of instruction.

The calendar also includes several holidays and breaks. The holidays include Labor Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The breaks include a fall break, a winter break, and a spring break.

Changes to the 2024-2025 School Calendar

There are a few changes to the 2024-2025 school calendar from the 2023-2024 school calendar. The most notable change is the addition of a fall break. The fall break will be from October 7-11, 2024.

Another change to the 2024-2025 school calendar is the extension of the winter break. The winter break will be from December 23, 2024, to January 3, 2025.