Seattle Public Schools chooses a calendar – but it’s not fully finalized

You might recall that Seattle Public Schools had board approval for two versions of the 2013-2014 calendar – because they were waiting to see if the state would approve a waiver allowing three professional development days (which would be off-days for students). The state denied the waiver, so the district just announced it’s going with its “Option B” calendar. However, it’s still not completely finalized, the district announcement explains:

Seattle Public Schools is now working with its labor partners, as part of ongoing contract negotiations, to determine when professional development will take place during the upcoming school year. More information will be communicated to families as soon as it is available.

Key dates for next year’s school calendar include:

First day of school: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013
Winter break: two weeks, from Dec. 23, 2013, to Jan. 3, 2014
Mid-winter break: Feb. 17-21, 2014, including the Presidents Day holiday
Spring break: April 14-18, 2014
Last day of school: yet to be determined (June 18 or 19, 2014)

The calendar also builds in four snow make-up days, including Jan. 31, 2014, May 23, 2014, and the two days after the last day of school. It’s important that staff and families plan for students to potentially be in school during these days, and to note that the last day of school could be Monday, June 23, 2014, if snow days are not used.

The Option B calendar can be seen here.

13 Replies to "Seattle Public Schools chooses a calendar - but it's not fully finalized"

  • Parent July 18, 2013 (11:34 am)

    WTH?? Skip this stupid mid-winter break and let the kids out a week earlier. Why is Seattle so ridulous!?

  • alkigirl July 18, 2013 (11:55 am)

    Well, trying being a teacher. Then you would understand the need for these breaks! I, myself, am glad to see the mid winter break, back in place
    this year!

  • Heidi July 18, 2013 (12:00 pm)

    Why did they decide to bring the mid-winter break back? Grr.

  • Bummer! July 18, 2013 (1:22 pm)

    We were thrilled when they did away with the mid winter break, bummed it’s back next year :(

  • Boo July 18, 2013 (1:39 pm)

    Also disappointed to see the mid-winter break back – school could go to June 23rd!! A 4 day weekend this year was great instead!

  • Rumbles July 18, 2013 (2:05 pm)

    Mid winter break is a waste! I wish it would just go away for good!

  • wsparent July 18, 2013 (2:17 pm)

    I agree with alkigirl. Don’t just look at it from a childcare point of view…

  • Curtis July 18, 2013 (4:20 pm)

    it’s way past time for year round school. The “Summer Job” is a thing of the past. Balance out the breaks to allow for vacations, but keep the buildings open for the whole year. Do I miss getting out of school the first week of June? yeah, but that hasn’t been the reality for years. As for Mid-Winter Break, it’s great for rich folks who can go skiing or hit Hawaii or Cabo and the like. For the rest of us, it’s a dull week of bad weather that we have to find child care for. Not everyone can afford Disneyland…..

  • Gene July 18, 2013 (5:15 pm)

    Oh please– ‘ try being a teacher”???? There should be NO midwinter break for students or teachers. Everyone is back for barely 6 weeks from Winter Break & they need a Mid- Winter break??)!!

  • LocalTeacher July 19, 2013 (12:55 am)

    As a West Seattle resident, working for the Highline School District, I can attest that unless public education receives more public funding, there is no way “year-round school” would be feasible from a financial standpoint for the district. The breaks allows the district to save $$ since all buildings are shut-down, thus huge savings on electricity alone, not including transportation and free/reduced-meal costs. While I don’t work for Seattle PS, I do know that in my own building, a lot of micromanagement (no lamps, lights turned on only after 8am) was implemented to ensure that every cent was not wasted.

  • Gene July 19, 2013 (6:56 am)

    So we shut schools down every 6 weeks to make ends meet huh? Despite a history of mismanagement-seems like every School Levy passes here in Seattle. We just love giving good many after bad-with no accountability.

  • LocalTeacher July 19, 2013 (11:12 pm)

    Not all districts are so lucky to have every school levy pass. Luckily it’s not on the 4/10 system (Mon-Thur school for 10 hours, Fri off) as other districts within states have had to do.

  • Cheryl July 20, 2013 (8:44 am)

    Hate, hate, HATE the mid winter break. Am really unhappy they’re bringing it back this year, and that school will get out so late for summer. Ridiculous! And for all this money they’re (SPS) trying to save? Um. Yeah, riiiiiiight.

Sorry, comment time is over.