Calgary Board of Education looks to parents for opinions on modified school calendar
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) has already hinted that it's thinking of switching schools operating on a modified calendar to a traditional one next fall.
Tuesday night, the public board hosted a meeting at Forest Lawn High School to get parents' feedback.
"The difference between the two calendars is actually within the holiday breaks that are given and the start time of the school year," said Andrea Holowka with the CBE.
"The traditional calendar begins at the beginning of September and has traditional breaks that are found at winter break and spring break, whereas the modified calendar starts two weeks early and has additional breaks spread throughout the year."
The CBE has previously said maintaining two school calendars is challenging for families as well as for school operations.
Holowka says the CBE is a division of some 250 schools, 28 of which operate on the modified calendar.
"We know that some of our families have children across different schools that have different calendars, and they've expressed that that presents challenges," she said, noting child care and the planning of holidays.
"We also know that there are some operational challenges within the CBE to be able to maintain a system of our size with both calendars."
Holowka says the opinions of parents are varied.
"There are some parents that enjoy having a shortened summer vacation so their children can come (back) early, whereas other families are sharing that it's disruptive to their learning to have continued breaks through the school year," she said.
Tuesday's in-person engagement will be followed by an online engagement in a couple of days as well as a survey.
The information gathered will be used to help the CBE come to a decision on the future of the modified calendar.
Holowka says changes, if there are any, could come into effect as soon as next fall, but that the CBE is also looking at timing and its potential impact.
Holowka says the CBE's goal is to have its decision made before mid-December, in time for kindergarten registration for next fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.