• The number of non-instructional days (in red) have been determined through provincial negotiation, and are not part of the local calendar process. The proposed placement of these days, done in collaboration with the local teachers' association (NOSTA) as per the language in our Collective Agreement, is part of the local calendar process. 

• As of November 2015, the new BC School Calendar Regulation has been in effect. It is different from the previous regulation in several ways, primarily that it sets the number of hours of instruction rather than the number of days of instruction. The draft shows the school year beginning on Tuesday, September 8 with the final day of school for students on Thursday, June 25. Because of these bookends, this calendar year will be a little shorter than typical, so the school day will be slightly extended (approximately six minutes per day).

• Instructional time in schools with both elementary and secondary students will need to reflect the minimum hours for each age group. Schools with students in grades 7-12 will reflect the 8-12 requirements. Schools with other configurations (ie. K-8) are finding local solutions, such as alternate recess and/or lunch bells.

• The turnaround day (in maroon) on January 29th is for secondary schools only. Elementary and middle schools will be in session on that day. Additional minutes will be added to the secondary bell schedule to make up this time.

• This proposed calendar has a two-week Spring Break. This is the most typical Spring Break configuration in the province. School days are extended to make up the difference in instructional time.

• Once a District Calendar has been approved by the Board of Education, each school will work with their local stakeholders to establish their bell schedules in a manner with the framework of the BC Calendar Regulation and the NOSTA Collective Agreement.