Hello Klein ISD.

You know, preparing an entire school-year calendar takes a lot of time and effort.

Our calendar is about more than vacation days...it serves as the time framework for student learning.

Just recently, our Board approved the 2017-18 school year calendar.

Joining me today are several Klein ISD principals who served on the calendar committee.

Together, we will tell you how this year's calendar was created and what option was ultimately approved by our Board.

First up, Wunderlich Intermediate principal, Chris Ruggerio.

Thanks, Bret.

This year for the first time we added a calendar survey feature to gather input from employees, parents, students, and community members.

The response to the survey, released in November, was incredible!

We thank the more than 2,000 parents, students and employees that responded to the survey.

People gave us many considerations to think about before creating the calendar options.

Now here’s Cassandra Christian, principal of Bernshausen Elementary.

Thanks, Chris!

The calendar committee met in January and February to review and develop priorities based on the survey results.

Three priorities guided the design process of the 2017 - 18 calendar options.

The first was for a more balanced number of instructional days in both semesters.

The second was an increase in professional development opportunities before the start of the school year and throughout the school year.

Our third was to increase the number of instructional minutes per day by 10 minutes to provide a built-in inclement weather day and a full week off for students and staff for Thanksgiving.

Next up, Brian Greeney, Klein Oak principal.

Thanks, Cassandra.

So to create calendar options aligned with the feedback and priorities, the District of Innovation exemption for early school start and end dates was implemented.

This means our district now has the option to begin the school year earlier than the state-mandated last week of August.

That’s awesome because it allows our teachers the needed professional development time to plan for quality teaching and learning.

Both options included a more balanced numbers of days in the semesters, and our secondary teachers and students appreciate this consideration.

Two calendar options were drafted and made available to our community in February for more feedback.

A summary of the feedback shows an almost even split between the two calendar options, with fewer than 100 votes separating the two.

There were two final factors used to select the 2017-18 school year calendar.

First, we wanted to provide a great transition into the established priorities without changing the calendar too drastically from prior years.

Calendar B is more similar to this year’s calendar.

Additionally, in Calendar A, graduation would occur a full week after the last day of school, which was not a factor in Calendar B.

Both calendars resulted in more balanced semesters, more professional development opportunities and the additional 10 minutes a day of instruction.

Based on those factors, the Board of Trustees approved our recommendation and approved Calendar B.

Getting to this calendar took much work and we are thankful for the input provided from our parents, teachers, students and staff.

We encourage you to visit the link on your screen and start planning your 2017-18 school year in advance!

Thanks for watching how the Klein ISD calendar was developed.

And a special shout-out to our great principals for helping on this video.

Have a great Spring Break!