"Alternate" School Calendar Prepared Pending Legislature's Outcome...

6 Apr 2001

"Alternate" School Calendar Prepared Pending Legislature’s Outcome Year-Round Schools Return to Traditional Calendar

The Dallas School’s Board of Education at its March 29 meeting approved the school calendar for year 2001-2002. The approved calendar, with a start date of August 15, outlines semester start dates, holidays and teacher preparation dates. However, because of legislation pending to have school start later throughout the state, a second calendar was prepared. If a late start for schools is approved, classes will begin August 21 and the "alternate" calendar will become the district’s official calendar. Members of several state and city groups and organizations provided feedback for both calendars, but most expressed preference for the earlier start date.

The Board of Education also authorized the return of six district year-round schools to the traditional school calendar. James Bowie, Nancy J. Cochran, Stephen C. Foster, John H. Reagan, Reinhardt and Dan D. Rogers elementary schools will start the school year August 15, and follow the traditional calendar. Gabe P. Allen Elementary, however, will remain on the year-round calendar until the end of their current charter at which time their calendar will be reviewed.

Under the adopted calendar, new teachers report August 6. Other teachers report August 9 and students report August 15. Both State Fair days, October 12 and October 19, are holidays for students; and teachers get one day off and one day of staff development.

Fall semester parent conferences are October 1, 2, and 4. Spring semester parent conferences are February 25, 26, and 28. The last day of school for students is May 24 and teachers’ last day is May 28 or 29, depending on whether the May 28, 2002 inclement weather day is needed as a make-up day. The state requires the designation of no less than two make-up days for when school has closed due to bad weather. March 29 and May 28 have been designated as bad weather days. If one or both of these days are not needed to make up for school closings, the inclement weather day becomes a school holiday.