The Pasadena Independent School District’s calendar waiver request for an early start date was approved by the Texas Education Agency. Under the 2006-2007 school calendar, ninth grade students will begin school on Aug. 9, while all other students in the district will begin classes Aug. 10.

Pasadena ISD’s Board of Trustees gave preliminary approval to the calendar at its regular February meeting. With the granting of the request from TEA, the calendar is now official. Since the first day of instruction is scheduled to begin the week before August 21 falls, state guidelines required that the district seek a waiver from the state. The school administration also held a series of public hearings to receive input and suggestions regarding the calendar.

The Aug. 9 start for ninth grade students entering high school are special plans as part of the “Expectation Graduation” initiative. The early start is aimed at giving incoming freshmen a better chance to become acclimated with their new surroundings and give the students an opportunity to build relationships with faculty and staff.

Key dates on the 2006-2007 school calendar are as follows:
First day of school for students - August 10 (Ninth graders will begin one day earlier on August 9)
First day for teachers - August 3
Last day for students - May 24, 2007
Last day for teachers - May 25, 2007

Holidays
Labor Day - Sept. 4
Thanksgiving - Nov. 20-24
Winter Break - Dec. 18-Jan.3, 2007 (Employees will return Jan. 2, 2007)
Martin Luther King Day - Jan. 15, 2007
Spring Break - March 12-16, 2007
Easter - April 6 and 9, 2007