Parents in Ladysmith are being asked to offer their input on the school calendar for 2013-14.
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools’ consultation process on the proposed calendar for the 2013-14 school year is underway and will continue until March 22.
In previous years, the Ministry of Education issued a standard school calendar, and school districts were not required to consult unless they wished to make local changes to the calendar. This year, for the first time, school districts are responsible for setting their own calendars, and they must meet the ministry’s required minimum hours of instruction, according to a press release from the school district.
Now is your chance to voice your opinion. Letters have gone home to parents, and information is posted on the school district website outlining three proposals for the calendar next year that are a change from the traditional calendar. These include two Success for All staff development days, an hour later start on Wednesdays to allow for staff to meet as professional learning communities, and an extended spring break to save approximately $400,000. Detailed information is available at www.sd68.bc.ca.
Parents, students, district employees and the general public are invited to provide input through a survey on the district website or by e-mailing calendarconsult@sd68.bc.ca. There will also be a special school board meeting March 13 at 6 p.m. at the district’s Nanaimo office to receive presentations about the proposed changes.
The deadline for input is March 22. The school board must approve the local school calendar by March 31, and the item will be considered at the March 27 school board meeting.
— The Chronicle
