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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 20, 2009 - 5 School year will start before Labour Day By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Students in both the Catholic and public boards in Halton will be starting school this fall before Labour Day. This week, the Halton Catholic District School Board and the Halton District School Board voted in favour of a 2009-10 school year that starts on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The reason behind the early start date is the calendar year. Labour Day falls on Monday, Sept. 7, which leaves 192 school days by June 30, 2010. School boards are required by the Ministry of Education to identify a minimum of 194 school days between the start of September and the end of June, with 188 instructional days and no more than six professional activity days. While both boards have the same start date, the endof-the-year dates slightly differ. The last day of instruction for Catholic elementary students will be Wednesday, June 30, with Catholic secondary students marking their last day of instruction on Tuesday, June 29. The last day of instruction for public elementary and secondary students will be Tuesday, June 29. Ruth Peden, associate director with the public board, said she has received close to 60 responses from parents about the school year, with only one supporting the pre-Labour Day start. She said that various options were considered, but that the Sept. 1 start date is the best option. "This is a calendar that will not please everyone, but there is no such option available," Peden said in her report to the board. "We submit this as the best possible solution." One concern expressed by parents was about summer camps. Peden said research was done into end dates of summer camps in Halton, with most ending before the start of September. "We checked out in Oakville, Burlington and in "This is a calendar that will not please everyone, but there is no such option available. We submit this as the best possible solution." Ruth Peden, Associate Director, Halton District School Board in the establishment of the 2009-10 calendar was the integration of transportation services with our coterminous board. Consultation occurred with the Halton District School Board, which complies with Ministry direction and resulted in financial savings to both boards. Based on the input received from our stakeholders, the recommended model was deemed to be the most appropriate for our board." Public school board trustees debated the issue for close to an hour at Wednesday night's meeting. They approved the calendar year with the condition that a report be brought forward by the end of March on the costs and benefits of early dismissal on the last day of classes before the Christmas break, as well as on the last day of school in June. www.volvoofoakville.com SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN SATURDAYS Phone: (905) 825-8088 Halton Hills, there are some programs (that go into September), but most them actually end prior to the week before school starts," she said. Both school boards used committees to discuss possible solutions for the 200910 school year calendar. The committee for the public school board consisted of 21 members, such as representatives from teachers' unions, school councils, the school board, transportation services and school board staff, among others. The committee for the Catholic school board was comprised of a Catholic Parent Involvement Committee representative, Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association unit presidents for both elementary and secondary, CUPE 3166 unit president and principal association representatives. The public and Catholic school boards were in communication with each other during the process to coordinate calendars in order to promote cost saving. Public school board staff estimates that it would cost Halton $35,000 for each day that it is out of alignment with the Catholic school board. Transportation costs were a significant factor in working together, according to Catholic school board staff. "It was important for the committee to achieve the 194 days in a model that also incorporated all statutory holidays and breaks and professional activity days balanced with what is best for our students and parents," said Mary Tessari, superintendent of education for the Catholic board. "As well, an essential factor Ou t-of-Town Ser vice & or t p Air OAKVILLE UNITED TAXI Oakville's # 1 Taxi Service! EXPERIENCED DRIVERS YOU CAN DEPEND ON · · · · · Airport Flat Rates Out-of-Town Service Regular In-Town Service 10% Discount On Parcel Service GPS Computerized Dispatch · · · · · Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Corporate Accounts Welcome Airport Customer Wake-Up Service 10% Senior Discount - In Town More Than 60 Taxis In Our Fleet PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS 905.338.0044 If you are interested in joining our team, please call 905-338-1762 24 hour · 7 days a week