To: Bureau directors
Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents
Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools

1. For SY 2004-2005, the following schedule shall be observed in all elementary and secondary schools:
   1.1 The opening of SY 2004-2005 shall be preceded by the National Schools Maintenance Week, scheduled on May 17-21, 2004 to enable the community and the school to prepare the school facilities for the start of classes;
   1.2 The school year shall begin on Monday, June 7, 2004 (for elementary schools) and June 21, 2004 (for secondary schools) and shall end on Friday, April 1, 2005 and April 15, 2005, respectively. It shall consist of two hundred five (205) school days. The number of school days per month are listed in Enclosure No. 1 and the indicative events for the school year are listed in Enclosure No. 2.
   1.3 A five (5) – day break shall be scheduled after the second quarter examination for the purpose of upgrading the competencies of school teachers through participation in division/cluster and school- based training programs. The pupils/students shall be given assignments, projects and research work to complete during the break. The outputs shall be evaluated to form part of subject specific projects.
   1.4 The last day of school for CY 2004 shall be on Tuesday, December 21, 2004. The Christmas break shall begin on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 and classes shall resume on Monday, January 3, 2005.
   1.5 The secondary school summer classes shall begin on April 25, 2005 and end on June 4, 2005. It shall consist of a 3-hour daily session per subject area, for 36 days.
2. The dates given in this calendar shall be compulsory for public elementary and secondary schools. The private schools may deviate from this school calendar provided they do not open earlier than the first (1st) Monday of June (for elementary schools) and third (3rd) Monday of June (for secondary schools) nor later than the last Monday of June 2004 and second (2nd) Monday of July 2004, respectively. However, they need to complete the minimum number of class hours and class days, and notify the appropriate DepED Office in advance.
3. The observance of school celebrations or activities and holidays other than those indicated in the calendar shall be allowed provided that the minimum number of class hours and class days i$ maintained.
4. Immediate dissemination of and compliance with this Order is directed.

Encls.: As stated
Reference: DepED Order: No. 11, s. 2003
Allotment: 1—(D.O. 50-97)

To be indicated ih the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
CALENDAR
CLASSED
SCHOOLS

DO_s2004_025