Calendars were set for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 school years during a Rocky View Schools (RVS) board of trustees meeting May 7, outlining important dates for students in the district.
“I think we have a really good process here,” said Trustee Norma Lang. “There’s a lot of passion around (school) calendars. A lot of work went into this.”
Trustees were presented with multiple calendar drafts developed based on engagement with school administrators, school council chairs and feedback from school communities. Nearly 440 feedback emails were received from community members.
The 2016/17 school year calendar approved by board members sees a Sept. 1, 2016 start day for classes and a Dec. 22 break for Christmas vacation. Classes after the break will resume on Jan. 9, 2017.
The calendar approved by board members received 315 emails of support from community members (72 per cent), compared to 21 per cent and six per cent in favour of other options.
Trustee Sylvia Eggerer expressed concern high school students would not have sufficient time to prepare for the start of diploma exams on Jan. 13, 2017.
“I knew this was going to be a problem when it went out,” she said. “All our primary schools want kids to stay in until the last minute before Christmas. (As a result), Grade 12 (students) come back later in January.”
Murray Besenski, RVS associate superintendent of schools, said students would have time to prepare following the holiday break.
“For high schools, teaching curriculum and finishing the course (would be) done before Christmas,” he said. “Then those days back would be for review.”
The last day of classes for the 2016/17 school year is set for June 28.
“I think there’s not going to be a right fit for everyone,” said Trustee Bev LaPeare. She added, however, that with 72 per cent in favour the school board has support for its decision.
Trustees also approved a 2017/18 school calendar that will see classes start after Labour Day on Sept. 5, 2017, breaking for holidays on Dec. 22 and resuming on Jan. 8, 2018. The 2017/18 school year will wrap up on June 27.
