FAQ for PROPOSED SFUSD CALENDAR ADJUSTMENTS

FAQ for PROPOSED SFUSD CALENDAR ADJUSTMENTS
for the 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR

1) Why is SFUSD considering a new school year calendar for 2010-2011?
The primary purpose of these proposed changes is to better serve the students, staff and families of our District. SFUSD has identified a number of benefits to resetting the calendar including:

A more cohesive semester to maximize instructional time The current structure cuts off instruction for two weeks just as students are approaching the end of the semester. Students then need additional review when they return to school just to
get back up to where they were when they left for winter break. Many of our middle and high school teachers know how disruptive it can be to review areas of the curriculum lost over the winter break.

The proposed early start calendar will also allow more instructional time to occur prior to the standardized and advanced placement tests our students take in late April and early May.

Additional time to make adjustments to the Master Calendar at the middle and high
school level

Ending the fall semester before the winter break will allow the flexibility for new classes to be put into the master schedule in response to student demand.

Currently, students are scheduled in a year-long block for many core courses such as English and Math. The existing one-day semester break does not allow sufficient time for schools to adjust student schedules in case of failing fall semester grades. Under the new calendar, students who failed the first semester will be able to retake the first segment of the class rather than continue in the second segment of the class during the spring semester.

With final exams and papers completed prior to the winter break, our secondary students can truly rest without the pressure of finishing assignments or studying for tests and return refreshed for the new semester.

Aligning our calendar with City College of San Francisco

The proposed calendar will allow many of our high school students access to the programs at City College that allow them concurrent enrollment and college credit.

2) What is the specific proposal that is being considered?
A proposed draft 2010-2011 calendar has been created by a committee that includes district bargaining units’ representatives, teachers, parent representatives and administrators. You can view it on the website on the parent page and the employee page at www.sfusd.edu

The proposed calendar will result in the school year beginning one week earlier than the traditional start date for SFUSD and end on the Friday prior to the Memorial Day weekend.

3) Will this shorten the summer break?
Yes, the summer of 2010 would be one week shorter.

4) How will this affect summer programs?
The district is working with the city’s Recreation and Parks Department and community based organization that operate summer programs for our students to make this transition as smooth as possible, including beginning summer programs the week following the last day of school.

5) What is the process that will be used to decide on this change?
The 2010-2011 early start district instructional calendar will be discussed by the Board of Education at its regular meeting, May 26 at 6:00 p.m. The Board is likely to vote on the proposal at its subsequent meeting on June 9 to give school communities a full year to prepare for the possible change. The District will convene a transition team during the next school year to identify issues and solutions appropriate for the early start calendar implementation in August 2010.

6) How can I express my feedback about the proposed changes?
The Board of Education will take public comment on calendar issues at its upcoming meetings on May 26 and June 9. Also, anyone can send comments to the District by emailing Labor Relations at asklaborrelations@sfusd.edu. These comments will be summarized in the staff presentation to the Board of Education.