The Archdiocesan Board of Education has announced major changes in next year’s school calendar. Most radical is the omission of half-days at the beginning of the school term and of all holidays on Holy Days during the school year.

This change will enable all archdiocesan and parochial schools to meet the legal state standards requiring 180 full class days. School attendance on Holy Days will assure students of participation in the liturgical celebration of the feast days and an opportunity to attend Mass.

The schedule will provide additional advantages to faulty members and students: a longer Christmas vacation, two long weekends in February and March, plus two other weekends when there will be no classes, although teachers must attend school.

The final registration date for the school term is set for August 23. Classes will begin August 28. This date coincides with the opening of all public schools in the greater Atlanta area. Two teachers’ work days will precede the fall term and two work days will conclude the school year.

The new calendar was approved by the archbishop and the archdiocesan board of education. It still provides the pastor with one free day which he may assign himself. This again provides an opportunity for an additional long weekend during the school year.

The schedule for the year follows:

August 23, registration; August 24-25, teachers’ work days; August 28, classes begin; Sept. 4, Labor Day holiday; Oct. 13, liturgical workshop; Nov. 23-24, Thanksgiving holiday; Dec. 20-31, Christmas vacation; Jan. 1., New Year’s Day; Jan. 19, teachers’ work day; Feb. 16, teachers’ institute; March 18, secretary’s holiday; April 11-15, Easter vacation; May 25, graduation; May 31, school ends; and June 3-4, teachers’ work day.