Prince George, B.C. – Clarity for parents, students and teachers as the Prince George School Board has approved the school calendars for the next two school years.

Very little has changed – kids and teachers will be off for two weeks for Christmas break and another two weeks in March for spring break. Eight non-instructional days have been suggested for next year and seven for the 2018-19 year.

The District Calendar Committee did suggest one change, determining the non-instructional day scheduled for Feb.2, 2018 did not align with the January 2018 Graduation Assessment Schedule.

In a report from John McLay, assistant superintendent, he noted “The committee agreed the non-instructional day should be changed to January 29, 2018 to correspond with semester turnaround for secondary schools.”

McClay says the District Calendar Committee consulted with all partner groups on the matter and even posted it on the district website on Feb. 27 one month of feedback.

The calendar regulation allows Boards to approve calendars for up to three years in advance. Boards must submit its approved calendar by the end of March of each year for the following school year.

School Board chair Tim Bennett was the lone dissenter to the calendars, noting his concern that a two-week spring break has a negative effect on vulnerable families.

“There’s a financial impact to families. I think in some cases our schools provide a lot of services to these families that may not be available for a two-week period,” he said.

“But I know our community partners work really hard to ensure that these families have supports during the break and will continue to work to ensure over the next two years those supports will be provided to our vulnerable families.”