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Division Calendar Feedback
Parent/Guardian Survey

Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools is reviewing the Division calendar for the next two school years, and we want to hear from parents and guardians before decisions are made.

This survey asks about the start of the school year, how staff meetings and Professional Development (PD) Days are scheduled, and a few other calendar questions. Our goal is a calendar that supports student learning and gives staff the time they need to plan and learn together, while keeping the impact on families in mind.

The survey should take about 3 minutes to complete. Your responses are anonymous, and all questions are optional. The survey will remain open until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6th. Results will be shared with the Board of Trustees and used to inform the calendar development.

Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective.
1.In which community do you reside?
2.Staggered Entry for Students in Elementary Schools: Since 2020, many Greater St. Albert Catholic elementary schools have used “Staggered Entry” at the start of the school year. Students attend their first day in a smaller group, which gives them time to meet their teacher, learn classroom routines and expectations, and settle in before the full class begins. Practice has varied from school to school, including which grades take part. The Division is hoping to establish a consistent approach for future calendars.

Which option would you prefer for future calendars?
3.First Day for NEW Students in Secondary Schools: In most Division secondary schools (Grades 7-12), the first instructional day has been set aside for students who are new to the school. For example, at our Junior High Schools, Grade 7 students would attend on their own on the first day, and all other students begin the following day. This gives new students an opportunity to meet staff, their peers learn their way around in a less busy environment. Students in other grades would begin one day later.

Would you support continuing this practice for future calendars?
4.Monthly One-Hour Schedule Adjustment for Staff Meetings: In recent years, the Division has aimed to schedule one full-day Professional Development (PD) Day each month. Staff use these days for meetings, professional learning (such as faith formation, curriculum, assessment, and instructional practice), and planning. Scheduling a full PD Day every month has been difficult, and some PD Days have been replaced by half-day early dismissals. We have received feedback from families that half-day early dismissals can pose significant logistical challenges.

The Division is considering an alternative: once a month, the school day would be adjusted by one hour (either an early dismissal or a late start, see Question 5) so that each school can hold its staff meeting. Under this option:
  • Staff meetings would move out of PD Days, so PD Days could focus on professional learning.
  • The total number of PD Days would be reduced.
  • Half-day early dismissals would no longer be required.
  • Division-wide learning could be offered without the cost of substitute teachers.
  • Once a month, students would be at school for one hour less, which may require small adjustments to childcare or transportation.
Would you support this change for the upcoming school calendars?
5.Early Dismissal or Late Start:

If the Division moves to a monthly one-hour adjustment, which format would work better for your family?
6.We welcome any additional comments or feedback you would like to share relative to future Division calendars. Please use the space below.
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