HOUSTON – Feb. 13, 2019 – The Board of Trustees approved the 2019-20 Instructional Calendar on Tuesday that will have students starting classes on Aug. 14, 2019 with the last day of school for students on June 2, 2020.
The approved calendar was one of two innovative options presented to staff and the community for input in a survey that drew feedback from nearly 6,000 people. Both options represented a different approach to the traditional school year, with more built-in breaks for teachers and students.
After much consideration, including weighing the results of the survey, district administrators recommended the calendar that will create more long weekends throughout the year for students and staff, rather than longer breaks.
“The calendar will offer short breaks, mostly long weekends, throughout the year to give students and teachers a chance to recharge without impacting instruction or participation in PVA (Performing and Visual Arts) or athletic activities,” said Superintendent Dr. Rodney Watson. “The recommended calendar will help set Spring ISD apart as a district willing to try new things to support teachers and boost student achievement.”
Specifically, under the approved calendar, the Winter Holiday will begin for students on Dec. 20, and end with them returning to school on Jan. 7. Spring break will start March 6, with classes resuming on March 16.
Throughout the year, teachers will have embedded professional development days with no students, including Friday, Sept. 20; Monday, Sept. 23; Monday, Nov. 4; and Friday, Feb. 14.
The Spring ISD Advisory Committee on Education (ACE), which includes staff and teachers, reviewed the calendar proposals presented to the public in the community survey. The approved calendar meets all state requirements.
Trustees noted that they’d like to see administrators consider adding Veteran’s Day as a holiday in the future so that families can observe the holiday together.
“One thing I enjoy about serving on this board is that we make our decisions on what is best for kids,” said Trustee Justine Durant.
The 2019-20 Instructional Calendar is located on the Spring ISD website at www.springisd.org/calendars.