The PEI Department of Education announced changes today to the 1999-2000 school calendar. The new changes will allow Island students to return to school after the Labour Day weekend.
Last fall, for the first time PEI students and teachers returned to school before the Labour Day weekend. Many Islanders felt the return to school meant that summer was over and this had a negative impact on the province's tourism industry.
Education Minister Chester Gillan said the decision to change the school calendar was made in cooperation with the PEI Teachers' Federation and the three school boards. "We are pleased to have reached a solution that satisfies all affected stakeholders," he said. "We felt it was important to communicate this change to students, teacher and parents as quickly as possible. "
Island students will now return to classes on September 7, 1999. Teachers will return to school, as scheduled, on September 1, 1999 for an orientation day. Teachers will receive two professional development (training) days September 2nd and 3rd. However, the traditional professional development day in November will be a regular instruction day for students and teachers. In addition, the "turn-around" professional development day in early February will be a regular instruction day for students and teachers, except for high school students and teachers.
The 1999-2000 school calendar consists of 197 school days, which is one more day than a normal school year.