What's New This Year At Great Valley School District?

Along with 21 new teachers and two new administrators, the 2015-15 school year will also be the first for Superintendent Regina Speaker Palubinsky in the Great Valley School District, who was appointed to the position just last month.

The new superintendent spent Tuesday at Great Valley High School, attending the district’s opening day for staff members.

Welcoming the new and returning staff, Speaker Palubinsky stressed four goals for the new school year, covering curriculum and student achievement, communication with the public and school community, policies and governance, and finance and operations.

“One of my strongest beliefs is the positive power of communication, teamwork, and collaboration,” said the new superintendent in a statement on the district website in July. “To that end, you will frequently see me around the campus and within the community. As the District continues to progress, I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas. I will be hosting ‘Superintendent Gatherings’, Superintendent Forums with student representatives, and informal opportunities for discussion. I welcome your feedback and look forward to our partnership of commitment to the students and communities of the Great Valley School District.”

Classes in the Great Valley School District – serving Malvern, Charlestown, East Whiteland and Willistown Townships – begin Monday, Aug. 31.

Here’s the full academic calendar for the 2015-16 school year:

· First day of school – Aug. 31

· Labor Day Holiday –Sept. 7

· Rosh Hashanah Holiday –Sept. 14

· Yom Kippur Holiday –Sept. 23

· Election Day Early Dismissal – Nov. 3

· Parent-Teacher Conferences – Nov. 23, 24

· Thanksgiving Break – Nov. 23-27

· Winter Break – Dec. 24 through Jan. 1

· Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday – Jan. 18

· Presidents’ Day Holiday – Feb. 15

· Spring Break – March 21-25

· Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) standardized test window – April 11-28, May 6-13

· Memorial Day Holiday – May 30

· Graduation Day – June 10

· Last day of school – June 14

Photo: Regina Speaker Palubinsky. Courtesy of the Great Valley School District.