Yesterday (February 8), the Rocky View School Board approved school calendars for the next two years.

The calendars for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years were drafted based on feedback from parents, teachers and support staff in Rocky View. This was the first year parents were asked to give feedback on the upcoming school calendars.

An impressive number of people provided feedback on the school calendars. A total of 3,083 emails were received by Rocky View, including 1,853 from parents and 967 from teachers. Comments included concern over a loss of lieu days, the timing of Easter break, the number of instructional days and the end of the school year, and having students start school after Labour Day.

The calendars approved yesterday see school starting after Labour Day, keeping nine Professional Learning Days and will have a total of 182 instructional days in 2018-2019 and 183 in 2019-2020.

The Board approved the calendars in two separate motions. Making a motion to approve the 2018-2019, Trustee Jim Forrest said he supported the calendar recommended by Rocky View staff for two reasons. First, it kept lieu days, which provide extra time for teachers to attend to things like report cards and other requirements in an increasingly complex classroom, and also shows that the division appreciates its staff. Second, it had an extra PD day which also acknowledges the complexity of today's classroom and allows teachers to develop the skills they need.

Trustee Norma Lang supported Forrest's motion, saying the calendar acknowledged the feedback received from parents and staff. Board Chair Todd Brand said the goal gathering feedback is to use it, and the calendar they adopted did, in fact, use that feedback.

Both motions to approve the school calendars ultimately passed with unanimous votes.

 

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