SCHOOL SCHEDULES TO BE ALTERED ON MARCH 12, 2008

(Bradenton, FL - March 5, 2008) Parents and students in Manatee District schools need to know that Wednesday, March 12, 2008 will be a full day of school instead of the usual modified school day adhered to on Wednesdays. The schedule change has been made to accommodate administration of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) that begins on March 12 and runs through March 26, 2008.

Therefore, the schedule for March 12th for each school level will occur as follows:

High Schools	7:45 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Elementary Schools	8:30 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
Middle Schools	9:15 p.m. - 3:55 p.m.

Notification of the schedule change is being sent to parents in school newsletters and by telephone through the school district´s Connect-Ed messaging system. Students will return to the modified Wednesday schedule on Wednesday, March 19, 2008.

Under the Manatee District´s modified instructional week, adopted by the Manatee County School Board at the beginning of this school year, the school day was lengthened on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to accommodate a modified Wednesday schedule. The modified Wednesday schedule was implemented to give teachers and school staffs additional time for planning and professional development.

Under the modified schedule, schools adhere to the following schedules on Wednesdays:

High Schools	7:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Elementary Schools	8:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Middle Schools	9:15 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.

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