Manassas Park School Board members received a first reading of two proposed changes to the 2025–26 academic calendar at tonight’s meeting in the City Hall Board Chambers.

Dr. Saunders, staff member, told the board the first proposal would move the observance of Diwali from Oct. 20, 2025, to Oct. 21, 2025, so the district’s calendar aligns with the day the presenters deemed the “actual day of observance.” “The first is a change, the observance of Diwali from 10/20/2025 to 10/21/2025,” Dr. Saunders said.

Dr. Saunders said the second proposed change would relocate Manassas Park High School’s commencement from Saturday morning, June 6, 2026, to the evening of Friday, June 5, 2026, to help the district mark what staff described as the 50th annual commencement ceremony for the high school. “We would like to move that to Friday evening, June fifth,” Dr. Saunders said. He added the exact evening start time would be determined later.

Why it matters: the Diwali change adjusts the district calendar to match the day staff say the community observes the holiday; the graduation change is intended to allow alumni and citywide 50th-anniversary activities to be incorporated into the ceremony.

Board discussion and next steps: a board member asked whether the school would still be in session on the new graduation date. Dr. Saunders said the district would still hold a school day; staff may consider an early dismissal for high school students so seniors, staff and families can prepare. “It would still be, we would still have students. It would be a school day. We may consider an early release for the high school,” Dr. Saunders said. He also said seniors at that time were typically engaged in senior-week activities and not attending regular classes.

Dr. Saunders told the board he was coordinating with staff, including Mr. Forrest, on how other signature senior events would be scheduled before the revised graduation time. The item was presented as a first reading; the board did not take a final vote and staff will return with the calendar for approval at the board’s next meeting.

Discussion vs. decision: the meeting record shows discussion only and a first reading; no formal action to adopt the calendar changes occurred tonight.

Details extracted from the presentation:
- Diwali observance: proposed move from Oct. 20, 2025, to Oct. 21, 2025.
- Graduation: proposed move from Saturday morning, June 6, 2026, to Friday evening, June 5, 2026; exact time to be determined; district may consider an early release for high school students on that day.

The board will take up the calendar changes again at a future regular meeting for a formal vote.