Draft district calendar to restore five‑day spring break; Monday after Thanksgiving will be in session

Director Silk raised a question about whether the posted draft calendar showed a four‑day spring break rather than the customary five days.

Mercedes Williams, director of communications and stakeholder engagement, said the calendar is a draft and explained the distinction: the Monday will be off for some schools as a "yellow school only" vacation day while Good Friday is a "green all" vacation day; following parent advisory input and a parent survey preference, the district will proceed with a full five‑day spring break. "This calendar is a draft... That Monday will be off... So those first 4 days, Monday through Thursday, will be a yellow school only vacation day, and then Good Friday will be a green all vacation day," Williams said. She also confirmed the district will update the posted calendar so the full five‑day spring break is clear prior to the vote.

Williams described the calendar committee as district staff plus two parents, a teacher and members of the executive team; the committee also consults the parent advisory council and the PFT when changes intersect with negotiated agreements. Williams said only one substantive change from last year is that the Monday after Thanksgiving will now be a full day of school.

Director Talifaro also used the education section to acknowledge the Learn & Earn summer employment grant (item 5.03) and encouraged students and families to apply. Director Diodati added that local library staff can help families complete applications; applications opened around March 2 and availability is limited.

Next steps: The calendar is slated for a future vote after the posted draft is updated.