File IC

SCHOOL YEAR AND CALENDAR

The "school year" means the period beginning July 1 and ending "on June 30 of next year."

There must be approximately 200 school days in a school year as specified by regulations. The Board is to determine the opening and closing dates of schools and the general schedule of operation for the school year and for any term, semesters, or other period of the school year.

"The school year is to be divided into:

1. two terms,

1. one beginning no earlier than the day after Labour Day and ending on December 31, and
2. one beginning no earlier than January 3 and ending on June 30;

1. two semesters,

1. one beginning no earlier than the day after Labour Day and ending on January 31, and
2. one beginning on or no earlier than February 1 and ending on June 30; or

1. any other periods that the School Board, with the approval of the Minister, may determine." [M.R. 101/95(2)]

On or before May 1 in each year, the Board must notify the Minister and publish information for parents and pupils about the opening and closing dates of schools for the next school year.

The following days are to be holidays in all schools:

1. New Year’s Day;
2. Louis Riel Day (the third Monday in February);
3. Good Friday;
4. Victoria Day;
5. Thanksgiving Day;
6. Remembrance Day (when it falls on a weekday);
7. Boxing Day (the day after Christmas Day);
8. any other day designated as a holiday by the Minister. (PSA 78)

[M.R. 101/95, 6(1)]

For all schools there must be:

1. a Christmas vacation that begins not later than December 23, or an earlier day that the School Board may determine, and extends to January 2 inclusive, or a later day that the School Board may determine;
2. a spring vacation consisting of the week beginning on the last Monday in March.

[M.R. 101/95, (7)]

The number of days set aside in each school year for Teacher in-service, parent-Teacher conferences, Administration and pupil evaluation in Kindergarten through grade 12 must not exceed ten days, of which at least five must be used for Teacher in-service.

[M.R. 101/95, 8(1)]

These days provide Teachers and Principals with opportunities for professional development and assessment as well as time to evaluate new courses and changes in methodology. Also, they can be used for parent-Teacher conferences to improve communication with parents, for administration purposes to plan and develop changes and improvements for the school system and for student evaluation.

As the Board believes that these days contribute to the overall effectiveness of the School Division, it authorizes the Superintendent to utilize up to ten teaching days during each school year, at which time the schools will be closed to students, for the purpose of staff professional development, parent-Teacher conferences, administration, and pupil evaluation.

The Superintendent shall inform the Board in advance of the dates which will be used for such purposes.