25 Jan 2005
Options for Consideration Include an Aug. 15 or Aug. 22 Start Date
DALLAS—Two possible start dates, Aug. 15 or Aug. 22, are being considered by the Dallas Independent School District for the start of the 2005-2006 school year.
Under one calendar option, the school year concludes before the Memorial Day weekend. June 1 would be the last day of classes under the second calendar option, unless an additional date is needed to make up for inclement weather, making June 5 the last day of classes.
"In compiling the annual district calendar, a number of factors are taken into consideration, including state and national holidays, state and district requirements such as testing dates, number of teacher work days, parent conference dates and inclement weather dates," said Interim Superintendent Larry Groppel. Meetings with representatives from school and community groups and organizations form part of the calendar process. In addition, a survey was posted on the district's Web site to gather community input.
Major differences between the Option 1 and the Option 2 calendars include:
• Students will start school on Aug. 15, and finish school prior to Memorial Day in Option 1. Students start school Aug. 22, and finish school after Memorial Day, on June 1, in Option 2.
• The first semester ends prior to winter break in Option 1. Winter break dates are Dec. 19 through Jan. 3. Classes resume Jan. 4
In Option 2, the first semester ends after winter break, meaning semester exams will be given after the students return from break, January 3.
Other differences between the 2004-2005 calendar and the proposed calendar for 2005-2006:
• Two additional instructional days are provided.
• In 2005-2006, all elementary campuses will be closed on elementary fair day and all secondary campuses will be closed on secondary fair day. Teachers will not have staff development on either day. Elementary students and teachers will be in school on secondary fair day, Oct. 14, and secondary students and teachers will be in school on elementary fair day, Oct. 21.
• November 21 and 22 will be staff development days and non-school days for students. Thanksgiving break on both calendar options is Nov. 23-25.
• Presidents' Day will not be a school holiday in 2005-2006 because it precedes a TAKS test date. Instead, an additional day has been added to the winter break.
• The second inclement weather makeup day will be at the end of the school year.
The calendar is set for adoption at the Feb. 24 trustee board meeting.