The Valley View School District 365U Board of Education Monday night approved the 2013-14 school year calendar which features an earlier start to the school year (Aug. 16) that will enable the district to end the first semester prior to Winter Break.

The earlier start will mean an earlier finish as well (May 27) provided there are no snow days.

Thanksgiving break is Nov. 27-29, Winter Break is Dec. 23 through Jan. 5 and Spring Break is from April 7 to April 13.

School holidays include Labor Day (Sept. 2), Columbus Day (Oct. 14), Veterans’ Day (Nov. 11), Martin Luther King’s birthday (Jan. 20), Presidents’ Day (Feb. 17), Pulaski Day (March 3), Good Friday (April 18), and Memorial Day (May 26).

The calendar was developed by a committee consisting of certified and classified staff members from all grade levels, as well as administrators and parents. VVSD Assistant Superintendent Rachel Kinder told School Board members Monday night that portions of the calendar could be subject to change pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations with the district’s teachers union.

The entire calendar may be found by going to www.vvsd.org and clicking on the “District Calendar” hot button on the right side.