Palm Springs Unified approves common calendar, eliminating year-round school schedule

The Palm Springs Unified School District school board approved a common calendar Tuesday night for the first time in 20 years.

The new calendar will begin for traditional schools for the 2014-2015 school year. Schools currently on the E Track schedule, or year-round, with three months on, one month off, will start the new calendar at the beginning of 2015.

“I think the main benefit was really getting us to one calendar for our families,” said PSUSD Superintendent Christine Anderson.

There are changes to be aware of — classes for traditional schools will begin two weeks earlier next school year so that high school students finish the semester before Christmas break rather than after.

“It’s the opportunity to have your final exams before your vacation, so you can enjoy that time and start that second semester fresh,” said Anderson.

Starting next year, Christmas break for traditional schools will be three weeks long instead of two, and Spring Break is extended to two weeks.

Anderson said it took a lot of input and compromise between staff and parents to make sure students in all grade levels will be on the same schedule.

“It was very difficult for the board to approve. It’s always challenging. Everybody loves the calendar that they’re on,” said Anderson.

Some parents said it’s a relief while they juggle work and child care.

“I think it’s better that way; you don’t have conflicts with schedules. They can go on a vacation together,” said Maria Villa, a parent of a Cathedral City Elementary School student.