Fayette County school children will start the 2001-2002 school year on a Friday, based on the Board of Education's approval of the new calendar.

The rationale for starting on Friday, according to the calendar committee, is the time it gives teachers to review rules and regulations, set expectations for students and have them return on Monday ready to go.

The calendar includes three pre-planning and two post-planning days for teachers and the regular holidays — Labor Day, Thanksgiving (three days), Martin Luther King's birthday, President's Day and Memorial Day.

Spring break remains the first week in April and winter break runs Dec. 20 - Jan. 6 for students. Teachers have a work day before and after winter break. The students' last day of school is May 24.

— Pat Newman