Public Service Announcement: The First Day of School is on Monday
Every year, schools have started the Tuesday after Labor Day, which has driven our summer vacation strategy: go at the very end of the summer, and use Labor Day to get ready for the start of school. It's great to look forward to vacation all summer, and to go to places as others are leaving.
Starting this year, Philadelphia schools will start the Monday before Labor Day. Here's a good article for why, which largely supports what I'd heard as the main reasons:
1. Classroom momentum tends to peter out significantly after Memorial Day, so trading a week at the beginning of the year from the end of the year will likely mean a better academic experience for the students.
2. The cost of cooling buildings in late August versus early June is a bit of a wash (this is disputed).
3. As other districts shift forward due to the first two reasons, there is a sense that we need to also lest it feel like we're falling behind.
Whether you like the switch or not, for at least this year it's what's what. The School District of Philadelphia has been running a big social media campaign to get the word out. Below is my video contribution to #RingTheBellPHL. Enjoy!
Starting this year, Philadelphia schools will start the Monday before Labor Day. Here's a good article for why, which largely supports what I'd heard as the main reasons:
1. Classroom momentum tends to peter out significantly after Memorial Day, so trading a week at the beginning of the year from the end of the year will likely mean a better academic experience for the students.
2. The cost of cooling buildings in late August versus early June is a bit of a wash (this is disputed).
3. As other districts shift forward due to the first two reasons, there is a sense that we need to also lest it feel like we're falling behind.
Whether you like the switch or not, for at least this year it's what's what. The School District of Philadelphia has been running a big social media campaign to get the word out. Below is my video contribution to #RingTheBellPHL. Enjoy!
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