I admit, I’m a Type A planner who likes to know dates and events well in the future. Last year, our school calendar for the following year came out in early October. It’s already mid-November. Where is the calendar??? I’m impatiently waiting on next year’s school calendar so that we can plan our trips.
Ok, this isn’t a life or death situation. But, we don’t even know when the first day of school is for next summer. How can we finalize summer trip dates without that? Since my oldest is in high school and we’re planning our trips mostly during school breaks, the school calendar is even more crucial for me than before.
What’s at Stake
In past years, I’d simply look at the previous year’s calendar and be fairly confident that most of the dates would be the same. But two years ago, our school district became a “district of innovation”, and therefore has more flexibility in changing the school calendar. I need the calendar for a few trips I have planned in my head or in some cases have already put a deposit down.
August Trip: I’m planning to take my son on a solo trip with me to Colorado. I need to know the start date for school. Thankfully, this is a trip I can plan somewhat last-minute.
Fall Break Trip: Based on my no-good, very bad, terrible October, I’m planning a short fall trip for next year over a long weekend. At least I hope to, if the school calendar still has a random Monday or Friday break in October next year.
Spring Break Cruise: My family booked a cruise for Spring Break 2021. I’d like to see if we guessed the right week, or if we have to change the week/ship. We got a steal of a deal by booking very early, so if we have to move it, our pricing won’t likely be as good. Plus, connecting rooms sell out quickly, so if we have to change our cruise, we need to snag those rooms as soon as possible.
Changes and Controversy with the School Calendar
I might not have to wait too much longer for next year’s school calendar. There is a school board meeting tonight to discuss it.
However, a committee is proposing to lengthen the school day in order to get out of school before Memorial Day. My kids have always had to go back to school after Memorial Day, and I can tell you that no instruction goes on that week. They have parties, movies, pajama day…seriously!
As you can imagine, lengthening the school day is a somewhat controversial move. My oldest is already gone from around 8:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. That doesn’t include the days he has an extra-curricular activity. One of my kids has ADHD, and he is already falling apart by the end of the day. I fear that lengthening the day could be a disaster for him.
The bottom line is I’m not sure if the calendar will be approved quickly. But, I guess the school board decisions don’t revolve around my vacation planning.
Parents of school-aged kids, has your school released its calendar for next year yet? If not, when do you typically get it? Do your kids get out of school before Memorial Day?
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
We usually get the new calendar in February, and the only dates that I care about are Spring Break and last day of school. I usually like to book my Spring Break trips 8+ months in advance, but for Spring 2020 we had nothing planned as we had a lot of unexpected expenses come up….until this week when I found non-stop RT flights to London for dirt cheap. So we’re going to London & Paris for Spring Break, and everyone in the house is super excited.
We have never been to Europe, and I’m so nervous. I hope it goes well.
@Stephanie London and Paris for spring break? Fabulous!!! You will love Europe. I went to London with my high school AP English class, and I went to Paris on my honeymoon. I want to go back soon, and add Switzerland.
YES! Thank you. It’s now November 14th and the school calendar for next year still hasn’t been posted. Every other district in the area has posted there’s. It’s inexcusable. Families are trying to make summer plans hand have been hijacked by the school board’s incompetence. It’s pathetic.
@projectx That’s so frustrating that all the surrounding districts have posted!
I feel you Nancy. I am one of those parents who wait anxiously wait the release of new school calendars. If you are talking about 2020-2021 school calendar, our district released the approved version back in July 2019. We still go back to school after Memorial Day. Years past, we started after Labor Day, but a few years ago they changed that. Now we start at the end of August. So many places to go, so little time. My kids are still in elementary school (4th and 2nd) so we *can* still miss some school days, though. I hope you guessed your Spring Break dates right!
@Joyce You are lucky that you got next year’s calendar back in July! I’m probably going to watch the school board meeting online just so I can see what happens with the calendar. You’re right–so many places, so little time.
I am also anxiously awaiting that calendar! It drives me nuts to wait so long, when I like to book awards as soon as they are available. I am planning a big trip over Christmas 2020, and I really need to know the dates. Luckily, I do know dates for my college-aged kids-they have calendars up for the next couple of years. It’s my school age kids that I have to worry about.
@Andrea I’m glad I’m not alone in this! It’s nice that your college-aged kids have calendars already ready. At least I have that to look forward to. 🙂