The details
According to a GCISD news release, GCISD has developed two instructional calendar options and is seeking input from district families and staff through a GCISD district calendar survey.
The news release states that the two calendar options were reviewed by various district groups, which have included parents, teachers and administrators. Adjustments were also made to each one based upon feedback from the Texas Education Agency.
A closer look
According to TEA, instructional calendars must meet the minimum instructional minute total for students and include 187 instructional staff work days. The two options are fairly similar and share the following components:
- Includes two inclement weather days and 900-920 flexible minutes
- Nov. 5 is a professional development day based on feedback related to safety concerns for elementary campuses that serve as polling sites on Election Day.
- Winter break is two full weeks resulting in a later return in January.
- One early release day for all schools at the end of each semester
- Last day of school before Memorial Day
- When compared to other local entities, both calendar options have a similar winter break and the same spring break on an approved or draft calendar in four neighboring districts.
The difference between the two options lies in the timing of professional development days. According to the news release, both options include six days for professional development, but here’s how they differ:
- Calendar A: fall semester: Sept. 23, Nov. 4-5; spring semester: Jan. 6-7, Feb. 17
- Calendar B: fall semester: Sept. 16, Oct. 15, Nov. 5; spring semester: Jan. 6, Feb. 17, March 24
