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CHOOSING THE RIGHT CALENDAR FOR UPLAND STUDENTS. Academic Year Calendar Proposal for the 2009-2010 School Year February 12, 2008. What is an Academic Year Calendar?. Start of school – Mid August End of first semester prior to Winter Break Spring Break falls at the end of 3rd Quarter
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CHOOSING THE RIGHT CALENDAR FOR UPLAND STUDENTS Academic Year Calendar Proposal for the 2009-2010 School Year February 12, 2008
What is an Academic Year Calendar? • Start of school – Mid August • End of first semester prior to Winter Break • Spring Break falls at the end of 3rd Quarter • End of school – Before Memorial Day
Why consider a change to an academic year calendar? • Instructional Value • Finals will be scheduled before Winter Recess at the high school, maintaining instructional momentum and not wasting time with Jan. review • Provides extra weeks of instruction prior to annual CAHSEE testing in March • Provides additional instructional time to prepare for Advanced Placement (AP) exams • Avoids “dead time” in June • Ending prior to Memorial Day allows more family time for graduates who report to college in August
Why consider a change to an academic year calendar? • Alignment of the UUSD calendar with neighboring districts allows families to schedule vacations without missing school or work. This is an advantage instructionally and fiscally. The following districts have adopted Academic Year Calendars that start in 2009-2010: • Chaffey Joint Union High School District • Alta Loma School District • Etiwanda School District • Central School District • Fontana Unified School District
What concerns have been expressed about moving to an academic year? • Some families and employees traditionally schedule vacations during the last two weeks of August • It is too hot for students at that time of year • Utility bills will be too high • It will interfere with CIF league schedules • The first summer of implementation will be too short • The calendar has clear advantages for high school students, not as many for elementary/junior high • “We have never done this before.” (change)
CURRENT CALENDAR 2008-2009 Students start school Monday, August 25 School in session three days during Thanksgiving Week Winter Recess is two weeks Spring Break is one week School ends on Friday, June 5 PROPOSED CALENDAR 2009-2010 • Students start school Monday, August 10 • Schools could have vacation during Thanksgiving Week • Winter Recess is two weeks • Spring Break is one week • School ends on Friday, May 28 (prior to Memorial Day)
“Getting the Word Out”March & April • Town Hall Meetings scheduled: • Pioneer JHS Wednesday, March 19 7 p.m. • Upland JHS Monday, March 24 7 p.m. • ‘In Touch with Upland Schools’ newsletters • Chamber’s ‘Impact’ article • Press Releases • Parent survey collected via web site • Ongoing meetings with Upland Council PTA and Employee Associations
MOVING TO A DECISION It is staff’s intention to bring a recommendation to the Board of Education prior to the end of the current school year in order to adopt a calendar for the 2009-2010 school year. This will provide families, staff, youth organizations, churches, and child care agencies with one year’s notice to plan and adjust to any change in calendar.