HAGERSTOWN, MD News (10/15/2024) – Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) has announced revisions to the current 2024-25 school year calendar, which will now include three additional early dismissal days. These changes are intended to provide teachers with additional time for grading and planning at the conclusion of each marking period. The decision was made in collaboration between the Washington County Board of Education (WCBOE) and the Washington County Teachers Association (WCTA).
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Additional Early Dismissal Days for 2024-25
Students will be dismissed two hours early on the following dates:
- Monday, November 4, 2024
- Friday, January 17, 2025
- Friday, March 21, 2025
These dates coincide with the end of the first three marking periods of the academic year. According to WCBOE, the extra early dismissal time will support teachers by offering them dedicated time for end-of-term grading, planning, and preparation.
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Adoption of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 Calendars
In addition to the updated 2024-25 calendar, WCBOE has officially adopted the academic calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. These calendars were developed with input from a committee of teachers, educational support staff, and students. Key considerations during the drafting process included maximizing instructional time, adhering to state education requirements, negotiated agreements with school staff, and ensuring appropriate time for testing periods.
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Key Highlights of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 Calendars
- Start and End Dates: Both school years will start before Labor Day and conclude by early June, continuing the pattern of recent years.
- Spring Break Changes: Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the third marking period will end just before the Easter holidays, allowing for an extended Spring Break. This adjustment will provide a two-hour early dismissal before the break and three days off surrounding a weekend, compared to the traditional two-day break.
- Professional Development Time: Two-hour early dismissal days will continue to be spread throughout the year to accommodate professional learning opportunities for staff. Early dismissal days will remain scheduled at the end of each marking period for grading and planning purposes.
- Adjustment for School Return in 2025-26: In response to the challenge of returning to a five-day week at the start of the school year, a two-hour early dismissal has been added to the first week of school in 2025-26.
- 2026-27 Changes: The 2026-27 school year will see an additional professional development day for teachers before the start of the academic year. As a result, the first day of school for students will fall on a Tuesday, making the first week of school a four-day week instead of five.
These updates aim to provide a balanced schedule for students and staff while maintaining instructional integrity and adhering to state and district requirements. Further details about the academic calendars and the new dismissal days are available on the WCPS website.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors
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