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2005/06 Calendar Discussions

Based on the experiences of the development of two prior school calendars, I want to believe this was a better way. I encouraged individual to write to me with your suggestions and comments on how Alameda can develop and approve a calendar in a more timely manner.

Here are few questions that were considered:

  • What does a calendar focused on maximizing student learning look like?
  • How important are consistent start and end dates?
  • What role does long weekends and breaks play in student learning?

    • Beyond the high level questions posed above, each year presents its specific challenges and conflicting priorities. The 2005/06 calendar (here is what the 2005/06 calendar looks like without any changes from the 2004/05 calendar) is no different. Here are some of the thorny issues I sent out in an EMail:

    1. Start Date

      2. Labor Day is September 5th, so we need to start before Labor Day again this year. Do we start in mid-week (like the 2004/05 calendar), Wednesday, August 31st or on Monday, August 29th?

    2. Breaks

      3. The 2004/05 calendar removed the Fall Break in October. While popular at the elementary school level, it is extremely unlikely an October break would be reinstituted. The 2004/05 calendar did create a week break during the Thanksgiving, in attempt to improve Average Daily Attendance. What is your opinion of the Thanksgiving week break?

      Christmas and New Years Day fall on a Sunday. There are three options:

      1. School ends on Friday, December 16th and goes back on Monday, January 2nd.
      2. School ends on Friday, December 23rd and goes back on Monday, January 9th.
      3. School ends on Tuesday, December 20nd and goes back on Wednesday, January 4th.

      Which is your order of preference?

    3. End Date

      4. Depending on your choices above, the ending dates could June 9th or June 16th. Which one do you prefer?

    Individuals who responded had their comments posted under 2005/06 calendar comments.

    Discussions for 2005/06 calendar between the District and AEA have began in September, 2004. In mid-October a tentative agreement was recieved and two alternative calendars were presented to teachers for ratification. At the November 23rd Board meeting, the Board approved the 2005/06 Calendar.

    Send mail to mikemcmahonausd@yahoo.com with questions or comments about this web site.
    Last modified: November 23,2004

    Disclaimer: This website is the sole responsibility of Mike McMahon. It does not represent any official opinions, statement of facts or positions of the Alameda Unified School District. Its sole purpose is to disseminate information to interested individuals in the Alameda community.