School calendar up for vote

The Northwest Catholic District School Board will vote to adopt the 2008-09 school calendar for submission to the Minister of Education at its regular meeting tomorrow in Dryden.
The board, in co-operation with the Rainy River District School Board, the Kenora Catholic District School Board, and the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, developed the common school year calendar.
The calendar displays 194 school days, of which six are Professional Activity Days.
Sept. 2, 2008 is the start of the school year, with classes beginning on Sept. 3.
The last day of classes is June 25, 2009, with the school year formally concluding the following day.
“The preference of having a balanced number of days in each school semester, and a school year consistent with other boards in Northwestern Ontario in order to provide effective scheduling of co-curricular activities throughout the school year, factored into the process,” a document in the board’s agenda package stated.
Because it is a regular school year calendar, in accordance with Regulation 304, it must be submitted to the Minister of Education by May 1.
The proposed calendars were sent to principals and schools councils, and no major objections were received. It also was advertised in local newspapers for stakeholder input.
It is recommended the board’s trustees adopt the regular school year calendar to submit to the Minister of Education.
Also at tomorrow’s meeting, the board will:
•hear a presentation from MISA co-ordinator Mike Belluz;
•be updated on the Special Education Advisory committee; and
•receive Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association nomination forms for president, vice-president, and representatives to the CCSTA board of directors.