Day Before Thanksgiving Could Become Off-Day for Needham Schools

NEEDHAM, MA — The upcoming early release on the day before Thanksgiving could be the last time Needham students are in class the Wednesday before the holiday.

During a recent school committee meeting, Needham Superintendent Daniel Gutekanst, proposed a 2017-18 school calendar that turns the day before Thanksgiving into an off day for students, and a half-day professional development for staff. The last day of school that week would be Tuesday and what would normally be a short day becomes a full day of learning on a later date, Gutekanst said.

“I think it can be productive, I think it can be thoughtful, I’m excited to see how it plays out,” he said.

The proposed calendar also adds an extra day for staff, who would have 183 days of school next year. Staff would start on Aug. 29, with students returning before Labor Day on Aug. 31. The last day of school would be June 14 with no snow days and June 21 if all five built-in days are used.

As for traditional events like the Thanksgiving football game pep-rally, Gutekanst said that he is talking about moving it to the Tuesday before Turkey Day.

The school committee is expected to vote on the calendar within two meetings.

The full proposed calendar can be seen in the image above.