I spent the morning reviewing the school year calendar. It's good to have that loose-tight calendar ready before parent night so that parents have a good idea of what the year ahead looks like. Parents in our teaching/learning community are busy people so they mostly appreciate the lead time this calendar gives.
The tight part of the calendar ensures that the most important events are scheduled ahead so that those plans are not interrupted by other events. The loose part of the calendar provides the flexibility needed to be responsive to students' and families' interests and needs throughout the year.
Spending the time on calendars and schedules up front in the school year helps all students, families, and educators to maintain a good balance throughout the year, the kind of balance that supports optimal teaching and learning.
