Proposed Pasco school calendar calls for Veterans Day on, Thanksgiving week off

Bolstered by another year’s successful Veterans Day celebration, Pasco County school district officials are recommending that students continue to attend classes on the holiday in 2021 — despite the handful of callers who complained that the schools should close to honor those who served.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said the districtwide event, including a web-cast ceremony held at Wesley Chapel High School’s performing arts center, highlights the sacrifices that soldiers have made for their country. Students who take the day off might not learn about the reason for Veterans Day, he said, but those who participate can learn more about why we honor veterans.

The School Board is scheduled to consider continuing the tradition when it votes on the 2020-21 calendar on Tuesday.

Among the other highlights, students and staff would continue to receive a week off (Nov. 23-27) for Thanksgiving, with the understanding that the first two days of the week could be used as hurricane makeup days if needed.

Holding classes for just a couple of days in that week proved difficult in the past, as both students and employees had higher absences as they traveled to their families for the Thursday holiday.

Other key dates on the proposed calendar are:

Aug. 10, 2020 — First day for students

Dec. 21 - Jan. 5, 2021 — Winter break

March 15-19 — Spring break

May 26 — Last day for students

June 2-6 — High school graduations

The district also would have several days off for other holidays and teacher planning days. See the complete proposal here.

Want to make suggestions to the board? The board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19.