The start of this school year was smoother than last year. But it looks like it will still be a while before K-8 kids have a full week of school.
In case you missed it, Southborough schools have an early dismissal next week.
If you’ve been referring to the official school district calendar, there may be some things you are missing. The calendar only includes early dismissals that apply to all K-12 schools in the district. (You know, the early vacation starts before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer.)
For individual schools’ half days, which of course fall on different dates, you have to check with each school. (Or buy the SOS calendar. Hmm, is this an SOS conspiracy?)
Here’s the list of public school holidays, professional development days and random early dismissals and professional development days posted on school calendars for the next few months:
- Thursday, September 15 – early dismissal for Finn, Woodward, Neary and Trottier schools
- Monday, October 3 – no school – Rosh Hashanah holiday
- Monday, October 10 – no school – Columbus Day holiday (or as Southborough calls it, Heritage Day)
- Wednesday, October 12 – no school – Yom Kippur holiday
- Thursday, October 20 – early dismissal for Finn and Woodward Schools – parent-teacher conference day
- Monday, October 31 – early dismissal for Finn and Woodward Schools – parent-teacher conference day
- Tuesday, November 8 – no school – Professional Development Day
- Friday, November 11 – no school – Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 17 – Friday, November 18 – early dismissal for Neary and Trottier Schools – parent-teacher conference day
- Thursday, November 17 – Friday, November 18 – early dismissal for Neary and Trottier Schools – parent-teacher conference day
- Wednesday, November 23 – early dismissal for all schools – Thanksgiving break
- Thursday, November 24 – Monday, November 28 – no school – Thanksgiving break and a Professional Development Day
- Friday, December 23 – early dismissal for all schools – Winter break
- Monday, December 26 – Monday, January 2 – no school – Winter break
Updated (9/7/16 2:30 pm): Updated the first date. (I had wrong day of week listed!)
Updated (9/8/16 7:30 am): Sorry, I had accidentally lengthened winter break by a day. It’s also worth noting that a comment or pointed out the November 8 professional development day is the date of the election. Since three of our schools are used for voting (and likely a similar set up in Northborough), I assume the choice was based on that.
I do not have children in school; however, my calendar indicates that next Wednesday is the 14th. Which date is correct?
Thanks for catching the typo! It is Thurs 9/15
Thanks for posting this Beth, I didn’t have all these marked. I agree that it doesn’t make sense that these aren’t on the district calendar.
Not So Fun Fact: There are 17 weeks of school before winter break. Only 6 of those are full weeks for finn/wood.
This year’s calendar is especially nuts, with the single day of school between columbus day and yom kippur, and the bizarre tuesday placement of the prof def day the same week as veterans day. Couldn’t they manage to make these long weekends?!? At least the second half of the year is a bit better, but that’s when the snow days kick in… I’d also still get rid of good friday, (it’s hardly even a holiday and we have the whole following week off).
I think the 11/8 date is because of Election Day.
A Ha! I couldn’t figure out why the random Tuesday, but I guess it’s not so random.
Usually we don’t get the week following Good Friday. We get the week where Patriots Day happens to fall. Sometimes it coincides with Easter Week.
In response to school resident: Good Friday is a very significant day of observance for Christians all over the world. “Getting rid of it” as you suggest is insulting to those of us who observe. If you feel this way propose a change to the school committee to abolish all religious holidays on the school calendar including the Jewish holidays. There are local communities where schools are in session on religious holidays. Students are not penalized for absences on those days. Please be respectful.
This has already been proposed in the not-too-distant past, and unfortunately rejected. Anyone of any religion is free to take off “holy” days with no penalty. I personally feel the number of religious holidays is a bit out of control. I don’t feel that the poster was being disrespectful. Practical is the word I would choose.
Does anyone know the reason for the 9/15 half day? It doesn’t appear to be due to any of the usual reasons (conferences, professional development, curriculum night preparation or so on.)
That half day is slated for Curriculum Night at the schools, with the half day allowing teachers prep time to get ready. However, Finn & Woodward (I can’t speak for others) have moved away from this and now host Open House before school starts and DO NOT host Curriculum Night on the 15th. Teachers use the time for professional development.
Actually, Neary has Curriculum Night tonight, but no half day.
According to the regional calendar, the last day of winter break is Monday 1/2. Or is there something different for Southborough?
Good catch. When I looked at the calendar I saw the first day of return is January 3 and accidentally wrote it is the last day of break! I’ll have to update that.