Public schools in Calgary will switch to one instructional calendar next school year.
Calgary Board of Education schools will have a unified fall break between Nov. 9 and Nov. 14, 2023. And the 29 schools on a “modified calendar” — which runs from mid-August to the end of June — will have to move to the traditional calendar.
The CBE made the decision after seeking feedback from parents and families.
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“Some of those families had siblings in different schools that were on different calendars, and for them, they actually referred to us as a concern that they were having trouble managing childcare arrangements and other components that were important to them, CBE Superintendent of School Improvement Andrew Holowka told Global News.
Parents system-wide were notified of the change Thursday morning.
“Some of our parents have also shared that they feel like they can’t necessarily make the best educational decision for programming for their children, or to choose based on calendar rather than what’s best for their child,” Holowka said.
The CBE said students should have greater access to language and alternative programs that operate on the traditional calendar.
Holowka also noted that the school board should find improved efficiency and reduced operational challenges with the move to one calendar.
“We’re always looking at the best way we can serve our families and make sure there are strong learning experiences for students, while really trying to maintain the most efficient and effective system possible,” she said.
“So having one kind of calendar helps us do both, where we know we can really focus on the best learning experiences for students across the system, and then also help benefit families who are balancing different calendars.”
The changes come into effect in September 2023.
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