The Peace River School Division (PRSD) Calendar Committee met on December 4 to develop a draft of the 2025-2026 PRSD School Calendar. Representatives from Conseil Scolaire du Nord-Ouest, Holy Family Catholic Regional Division, PRSD executive and PRSD Administrators Association, as well as an Alberta Teacher's Association representative and School Council representative provided their feedback and are now presenting the draft calendar for input from students, staff and parents.

Balancing Stakeholder Preferences with Instructional Priorities

The Calendar committee have chosen to:

• Keep the first day of school for students as the Tuesday after Labour Day
• Maximize five-day instructional weeks whenever possible to minimize disruptions to learning and routines caused by shorter weeks
• Place Professional Development (PD) days on Mondays or Fridays, depending on what aligns best with the overall calendar structure
• Avoid mid-week non-instructional days to maintain continuity in learning and routines
• Structure Christmas Break to include three weekends and two full weeks, aligning with stakeholder preferences

Consideration of Specific Dates when Determining the Calendar

• September 29, 2025 – to fulfill the commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in Teaching and Learning, this could not be scheduled as either PD or non-operational day
• September 30, 2025 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (non-operational day)
• March 4, 2026 – the day before the Teachers’ Convention is ½ day PD for teachers, ½ day nonoperational day to accommodate travel to Grande Prairie for Teachers’ Convention
• March 16 to 21, 2026 – Spring Break – in alignment with the committee’s Guiding Principle, the calendar ensures a full week of school prior to the start of the Christian Holy Week

Key Dates on the 2025-2026 Proposed Calendar

• August 27, 2025: Staff Meeting/PD
• August 28, 2025: PD (Possible Staff Kick-Off Day)
• August 29, 2025: Staff Meeting/PD
• September 2, 2025: First Day for Students
• September 19, 2025: PD *Note, even though September is a busy month, collaboration and sharing early in the year, especially for new staff, is important
• September 30, 2025: Non-Operational Day (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)
• October 10, 2025: Non-Operational Day (Thanksgiving Day)
• October 27, 2025: ATA PD Day
• November 10, 2025: PD Day
• November 11, 2025: Non-Operational Day (Remembrance Day)
• December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026: Winter Break
• January 5, 2026: Students return to school after Winter Break
• January 30, 2026: PD Day
• March 4, 2026: Half day PD and half non-operational day
• March 5-6, 2026: Teachers' Convention
• March 16-20, 2026: Spring Break
• April 3, 2026: Non-Operational Day (Good Friday)
• April 6, 2026: Non-Operational Day (Easter Monday)
• April 20, 2026: PD Day
• May 19, 2026: PD Day
• June 25, 2026: Last Day for Students
• June 26, 2026: Last Day for Staff

Have your say on the proposed calendar

Email: Executive Assistant Chris Warne
Facebook: Peace River School Division

All input will be reviewed and considered prior to approval of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar.

Please provide any feedback you have by 4 p.m. February 18, 2025.

Thank you in advance for your input, it is important the school calendar represent the needs of our communities. The Board of Trustees will consider a final draft of the calendar for adoption at the March 2025 regular meeting of the Board.