2009/2010 School Calendar
February 25, 2009
At their February 24th public meeting, the North Vancouver Board of Education voted in favour of no change to the Ministry standard school calendar for the 2009/2010 school year. The Board appreciates the complexity of planning a school calendar in an Olympic year, and is aware of the many variables that include staffing, costs to the School District, inconvenience to families, childcare issues, and how to make up the mandatory instruction time. In light of these many considerations, the Board felt the most prudent course was to maintain the standard school calendar and affirm that Spring Break in 2010 will be a one-week period spanning March 8th through March 12th.
The actual motion approved at the February 24th meeting reads as follows:
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that the Board receive the Report of the School Calendar 2009/10 Committee with thanks to all participants; and
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recognizing the need for flexibility and support during the 2010 Olympics for individuals wishing to participate, and that the School District's 2010 Committee be requested to formulate appropriate communication to the schools; and
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that the Board communicate its commitment to having the School District explore ways to capitalize on educational opportunities during the Olympics.
Ministry of Education's Standard School Calendar: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/legislation/stdcal03.pdf
January 28, 2009
Further to the December update (below) on planning the 2009/2010 school calendar, the Board of Education for the North Vancouver School District deferred discussion of the calendar to their February 24th, 2009 public board meeting.
December 2, 2008
In October of 2008, a local school calendar committee met to consider planning options and potential impacts during the 2010 Olympic year and the possibility of altering the standard school calendar for 2009/2010.
Since their first meeting, the committee has considered a full spectrum of opinions and possible alternatives for the calendar. They have consulted with partner groups, including the District PAC advisory council and both CUPE and the NVTA. The committee has discussed ideas ranging from maintaining the standard school calendar through to varying the beginning and ending of terms or length of instructional days. In weighing the options, the committee’s guiding criteria include acting in the best interest of students, creating a manageable schedule that satisfies the instructional time requirements, meets employment obligations to staff and minimizes disruptions to students, families, and the delivery of instruction. The committee will meet again on December 9, 2008 to finalize a recommendation in regard to the 2009/2010 calendar for consideration by the Board of Education.
In the New Year, the North Vancouver Board of Education will receive a report from the committee which may or may not make a recommendation to alter the 2009/2010 standard school calendar. An update on the Board’s decision will be provided here following the public board meeting.
Should the Board request a change to the calendar a communication to parents will go out in January through standard channels (school newsletters, letters home to parents, PAC and staff partner groups) to ensure that proper consultation (as required under legislation) is provided before a final decision is made.
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