Why does Mehlville have so many two hour late starts? – Mehlville Messenger

A new feature in the Mehlville Messenger each issue this year will
be a Frequently Asked Questions column. This column will be
used to address questions the district receives on a variety of
topics. This month the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) column
will discuss professional development days for teachers.
Many parents and community members ask why students receive
several days off (and two hour late starts) during the school year for Professional Development
days. Some say those days should be held during the summer. Others
wonder what teachers do during Professional Development days.
To help answer those questions, the Messenger contacted Elaine Waldon,
director of professional development.
According to Waldon, the district has an overall Comprehensive
School Improvement Plan as required by the state. This is similar to
what most companies call a Strategic Plan. In addition, each school
has its own School Improvement Plan. These plans include several
goals, strategies and action plans to improve student achievement.
The Mehlville School District sets aside four half-days and five twohour
late-start days each school year to provide professional development
activities for teachers that support the student achievement goals
of the school. Although students do not attend school during Professional
Development times, the school year calendar still includes the
proper number of days and hours required by the state of Missouri.
On Professional Development days teachers participate in a variety
of activities. While teachers at one school may be working in study
groups, another school may have its teachers focusing on strategies to
reach students with special needs. Still, another school may have all
teachers at the same grade level working together on lesson plans
while a different school’s teachers are developing strategies for closing
the achievement gap between white and black students.
All Professional Development day activities are monitored by the
Professional Development Committee to ensure the time is being used
to improve student achievement and assist the school in meeting its
School Improvement Plan.
Finally, the district is required by state law to allocate 1% of the
state funding for professional development activities for teachers. In
addition, teachers are required by the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education to participate in professional development activities
in order to advance to the next level of state certification.