The West Hartford Board of Education approved a change to the 2016-2017 calendar that because of holidays will give students a long weekend in October 2016.

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Board of Education unanimously approved a calendar change Tuesday night which will give students a five-day weekend in October 2016.

The change, which was discussed during a first reading at the May 17, 2016 meeting, will make Tuesday, Oct. 11 a holiday for students but a professional development day for teachers.

Superintendent Tom Moore explained that Monday, Oct. 10, is already a school holiday for Columbus Day. Wednesday, Oct. 12, is Yom Kippur which is also a school holiday. He proposed moving a teacher’s professional day, originally scheduled for Election Day, to Tuesday, Oct. 11 – giving students the mini-break rather than two non-consecutive days off in the same week.

The change in the professional day for teachers will also keep school parking lots clear for polling access on Election Day, expected to be busy because this is a presidential election year and large turnout is expected.

The change to the calendar will also impact the last day of school, moving it ahead from Monday, June 12 to Tuesday, June 13, barring any make-up days.

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