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News Item

2017-2018 School Calendar Vote

November 14, 2016

The Chinook Calendar Committee has developed two calendar options for the 2017-2018 school year. This year all Chinook employees and parent stakeholders may choose their preferred calendar for the 2017-2018 school year. Our Division practice has always been for a committee to create calendar options for our staff to consider. Typically, we try to set our Division calendar early so families may plan in a proactive manner. 

Committee Members:
  • Kyle McIntyre –Deputy Director
  • Rod Siemens – HR Superintendent
  • Janna Walker – SWAC Rep/Teacher, SCCHS
  • Holly Franklin – CTA Vice President/Vice Principal, SPS
  • Ruth Weiner – Educational Assistant, SCCHS
  • Pat McKenna – Office Manager, Fairview School
  • Bob Vavra – Superintendent of Learning
This year both of our calendar options are posted online for parents and staff to vote (links below). Voting is open November 14 - November 23. Click here for the online survey.

The goal of this consultation process is to have a calendar recommended to the Chinook Board of Education prior to this year’s Christmas break.

Key Points
  • The first day for students legislated follows Labor Day – September 5, 2017.
  • Parents and Chinook staff will have the opportunity to state their preference through the online survey.
  • The chosen calendar will need to be reviewed and approved by the board in late December and then approved by the Ministry of Education.
  • As in the past, schools will have the opportunity to work with their local school communities to determine specific student conference times and formats.
Defined Requirements
  • The Saskatchewan Education Act requires the following:
    • A minimum of 950 hours of instructional time per year,
    • Six weeks of summer vacation; 
    • Post Labour Day student start time;
    • A Christmas break that begins no later than December 23 and ends not sooner than January 2;
    • A Spring break with no more than 5 consecutive days.
  • Ministry Recommended February Break February 18-24, 2018, to accommodate The Saskatchewan Winter Games in North Battleford
  • Ministry of Education Provincial Examinations – January 25-30; June 22-27 
  • Chinook Board of Education requires 3 professional learning community days; 2 student conference days; 3 professional development days; 3 admin days; and one convention day

Calendar A (197 days including non-instructional days; 186 instructional days)
  • September 5 student start
  • Longer Christmas break
  • February break (Feb. 18-24) 
  • Shorter Easter break 
  • Balanced semesters (93 student contact days each semester)
Calendar B​ (197 days including non-instructional days; 186 instructional days)​
  • September 5 student start 
  • Shorter Christmas break
  • February break (Feb. 18-24)
  • Longer Easter break 
  • Unbalanced semesters (94 student days sem 1; 92 student days sem 2)
Should you have any questions regarding the calendar, please feel free to contact a member of the Calendar Committee. 

Vote now! ​

*The vote results will be gathered by the calendar committee who will make a recommendation to the Chinook Board of Education, who will have final say on the calendar at the December Board of Education meeting.

© Chinook School Division 2014

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