Proposed Calendar 2.0
Forum:
Information, Locations Dates
Click on the image above to see a presentation about the proposed calendar.
Four dates in October, 2013 have been established for
community forums across the Champlain Valley region regarding the proposed
School Calendar 2.0 for the 2014-2015 school year.
Based on the Vermont Superintendent’s Association (VSA)
Education Quality Framework and the VT World-Class Education Agenda, the
proposed Calendar 2.0 is a new way of looking at what a school calendar could
look like.
This calendar preserves the current 175 student days while
building in blocks of times, or intersessions, that could be used for a variety
of purposes by students, families, and teachers. This calendar is still a proposal and is not
yet finalized. It is meant to engage
educators, students and families around how to further the quality of education
in this region.
Dates of these regional forums are:
- Wednesday, October 2, 6:30 pm, Essex High School
- Thursday, October 3, 6:30 pm, BFA St. Albans
- Wednesday, October 9, 6:30 pm, Burlington High School
- Thursday, October 10, 6:30 pm, Champlain Valley Union H.S.
I think you should bring this calendar to local town meeting days and get a true idea of how the communities feel about this new "proposed" calendar that sounds like you are already putting into affect without letting families know. What about the families that do not have internet access? How can they voice their ideas?
ReplyDeleteDear Heather,
ReplyDeleteRegional superintendents typically vote on the school year calendar in January. This gives schools and families time to prepare schedules and make plans.
CESU has sent the community forum dates to local newspapers so that individuals who do not have access to the internet are aware of the times and locations of the forums.
The proposed 2014-2015 calendar has not been approved. The goal of Champlain Valley superintendents is to hear what stakeholders think of the proposed calender and share some of the potential benefits that may be realized by modifying the school year calendar.
Thank you,
In the MMU Annual Report a few months ago, we noticed that 56% of 11th graders were less than proficient in math. Now the district wants to give kids more frequent blocks of time off when they are obviously struggling in STEM subjects. If the calendar is going to change, it should allow more consistent blocks of time to help students focus more rather than creating larger gaps.
ReplyDeleteLet’s be honest, kids are not going to study the subjects they’re weaker in during these “intercessions.” It’s simply more time off that parents need to accommodate. Do you not realize that many families are already struggling to find appropriate care for their kids because of the current calendar?
In addition to the time off parents have to manage due to the current calendar, many of us also take time off from work for various school activities. I understand it’s our decision to chaperone trips and attend other activities. We want to support our children. Many of us do. But to add more days off to parents’ thin schedules means some might have to ask for more time off from their employers or not have the option to be present for school activities.
Our jobs pay taxes which support schools. This calendar could compromise some people’s jobs which could directly affect the revenue paying your salary.
What our kids need is to spend more time in school with teachers who have more time to help them as individuals focus on their weaker subjects and reinforce those they’re strong in. One teacher recently told us he wished the school day would be longer so he can spend more time helping kids rather than plowing through “the curriculum” that they are required to follow.
This proposed calendar is a disservice to children and families; it only seems to benefit teachers and the administration.
Fifty-six percent of 11th graders are less than proficient in math. Where is your focus?
A primary purpose of the Calendar 2.0 proposal would be to provide additional support for students not meeting grade level expectations. The intersessions (non-student days) can be used for reteaching, remediation and enrichment. This has the potential to elevate student achievement in areas like math and science.
DeleteThe Calendar 2.0 draft includes the same number of days as our current schedule. However, finding quality childcare is a challenge for families. In July, Regional superintendents participated in a partner summit with childcare groups and afterschool programs to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the Calendar 2.0 proposal. Based on conversations from this summit and with parents, it is clear that childcare is an issue that we need address in our current calendar and in any modified school calendar.
Some of the principles that guided the regional superintendent task force in drafting Calendar 2.0 were:
• Support learning of all students
• Provide timely interventions and enrichments during the school year for all students
• Provide more effective instruction time – less need for review
• Increase access to language-rich environments
• Minimize loss of learning during the summer
• Evenly distribute education time to promote learning
A theme that has emerged in discussions and communications with stakeholders is the need to increase learning time and educational opportunities. Calendar 2.0 discussions may lead us to extending learning time and expanding options for students.
It is important to stress that Calendar 2.0 is not an approved school year calendar or “a done deal.” Regional superintendents are collecting feedback and ideas from community members. Support of stakeholders will be critical in the implementation of a modified school year calendar.
Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas, concerns and feedback.
John Alberghini