An online survey which asks residents to register their opinions on two different Spring ISD 2017-18 academic calendar options ends on Monday.

 

The first calendar choice, Option A, proposes starting the school year on Thursday, Aug. 17, and ending the year on Thursday, May 31. Option B proposes starting school on Wednesday, Aug. 16 and ending it on Friday, May 25.

 

Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield, Spring ISD Chief Communications Officer, said starting the school year in the middle of the week allows students and families to ease back into the school routine.

 

In addition to the start and end dates, the two calendars propose different plans for winter break. The winter break proposed in Option A begins on Dec. 22 and ends Jan. 8, while the winter break under Option B starts on Dec. 22 and ends Jan. 5.

 

Dunne-Oldfield said both calendars include teacher professional development days, which allow staff to receive training in the classroom. Both proposals also limit early dismissal days to two, as those days are often difficult for working families, she said.

 

After the survey period ends on Monday, Dunne-Oldfield said the results will be compiled and presented to the board of trustees at its next workshop meeting on May 4.

 

“Overall, we believe that both calendar options will serve the district well,” Dunne-Oldfield said. “We look forward to sharing the survey results with our board of trustees on May 4.”

 

Recently Spring ISD was designated a District of Innovation by the Texas Education Agency. The board approved its local innovation plan at a board of trustees meeting on April 11, allowing it flexibility in restructuring the school calendar.