2023-2024 Academic Calendar
Page Navigation
- Gainesville ISD
- 2023-2024 Calendar Planning
GISD Explores Transitioning to a 4-Day Instructional Calendar
-
Why is GISD considering a 4-day instructional week for students?
Increase student achievement: more time for teachers to prepare, an anticipated increase in student attendance, impact on student well-being, and provide personalized intervention.
Teacher recruitment and retention: time for professional development and planning, teacher/staff work-life balance, increase in teacher attendance.
Survey Results
FAQ
-
When would this be implemented?
The 4-day instructional week would begin the 2023-2024 school year. The program would be implemented for a minimum of three years to determine effectiveness.
-
What school districts have already moved to a 4-day week?
The number of schools who are implementing a four-day week continues to grow. The first school began this change in 2019-2020. Just last week, Anna and Terrell both announced a move to 4 days beginning the 2023-2024 year. For a full list of schools, visit >>> https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article264215926.html
-
For planning purposes, when will a determination be made on the calendar?
Following a staff and parent vote, one of the proposed calendars will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval at the February 20th Board meeting.
Calendar A Traditional
Calendar B Traditional + Fall Break
Calendar C Four-day student calendar -
How long will the school day be?
Students are required to attend school for 75,600 minutes per year. The instructional day would be extended by 15-25 minutes depending on current minutes per campus. The start and end times will remain staggered across the district, with the earliest start time being 7:30am (Head Start) and the latest end time being 4:15pm (GHS).
-
Will the school year be extended?
Yes. On the proposed calendar, August 7, 2023 is the first day of school which is 7 days earlier than the current school year. The last day of school on the calendar is May 30, 2024, which is 3 days later than the current school year. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break will not be affected.
-
Is this driven towards the benefits to teachers only?
Students need qualified teachers in the classroom, so students receive a better education. School leadership expects the 4-day week to increase student achievement with more opportunities for intervention and to help with teacher retention and recruitment.
-
Will the non-instruction days be set or will it vary depending on the week?
The day that is set, whether it be Monday or Friday, will remain the same throughout the school year.
-
Have other schools seen improvements in student grades and/or attendance?
Yes. Improved grades, attendance, discipline, teacher morale.
-
What students would be asked to come on the non-instructional day?
Those students in need of remediation in one or more areas, those in need of attendance recovery, those who have excessive missing assignments, credit recovery, STAAR, etc.
-
If there are any cost-savings to the district from moving to a four-day instructional week, will funds go toward special programs?
When there are days that there are no students or staff, this would result in cost savings. These savings can be reinvested into our student offerings.
-
Will the district provide any childcare on the non-instructional day?
No. This is a liability to the school district and is not a feasible option.
-
How do the current teachers feel about this potential change?
Overwhelmingly positive response from current staff. When surveyed in October, 67% of respondents (151) said they were in favor of a 4-day instructional week. An additional 26% (58) said “maybe-but I need additional information” and 7% (15) said they were not in favor. Since this survey was complete, Dr. Stewart has met with all campus staff and has conducted two parent meetings which had a total of 85 attendees. An additional poll of staff was pushed out on January 27th. These results will determine if the district will move forward.
