Valley View Asks for Feedback on Tentative 2015, 2016 School Calendars

Valley View School District 365U officials are seeking comments on proposed calendars for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years.

The tentative calendars, presented as in Information Report to the Board of Education Monday night, were prepared by the VVSD Calendar Committee which consists of community stakeholders, certified and classified staff members, administrators, secretarial staff, union representatives and a member of the School Board.

“The Committee takes into consideration prior years’ calendars, calendars of neighboring school districts, Illinois State Board of Education guidelines, collective bargaining agreement language, required legal holidays, election day schedules and input received from stakeholders throughout the year,” said Rachel Kinder, VVSD Assistant Superintendent. “The objective is to create a calendar that is as conducive as possible to student learning, taking into consideration the guidelines and parameters set forth by the state and contract language.”

Under the proposed 2015-16 calendar, the school year would begin on Wednesday, Aug. 19 and end on Friday, May 27, weather permitting.

Thanksgiving break would be Nov. 25-27, Winter Break from Dec. 21-Jan. 1, and Spring Break from April 4-8.

“The calendar committee must take into consideration state required testing timeframes to avoid conflicts in the spring,” Kinder said as she explained why Spring Break does not occur around Easter which is March 27. “With the adoption of the state-mandated PARCC assessment, the time frame of March 7 through April 1 must be left open to accommodate the assessment.”

Other planned holidays include Labor Day (Sept. 7), Columbus Day (Oct. 12), Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Martin Luther King’s birthday (Jan. 18), Presidents’ Day (Feb. 15), Pulaski Day (March 7), and Good Friday(March 25).

Under the proposed 2016-17 calendar, classes will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 17 and end on Friday, May 26.

Thanksgiving break would be Nov. 23-25, Winter Break from Dec. 23-Jan. 6, and Spring Break fromApril 10-14.

Other planned holidays include Labor Day (Sept. 5), Columbus Day (Oct. 10), Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Martin Luther King’s birthday (Jan. 16), Presidents’ Day (Feb. 20), and Pulaski Day (March 6).

Comments and questions about either calendar are welcome by e-mailing PR@vvsd.org, or by using either the “Ask the Superintendent” function at www.vvsd.org or the “Let’s Talk” function on the VVSD mobile app.

Draft copies of both calendars are available by clicking on the button in the upper left portion at www.vvsd.org.