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?
ReplyDeleteIn 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?