As February rolls around each year, many parents have a single question on their minds: will my kids have a day off from school on Presidents‘ Day? I know planning around school holidays can impact arrangements with work, childcare, family activities and so much more for busy families today.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll clearly cover everything you need to know about Presidents‘ Day school closures. We‘ll dive into:
- How Presidents‘ Day started and what it means
- When Presidents‘ Day falls each year
- If public, private or higher education institutions commonly close
- Reasons for varying school policies on Presidents‘ Day
- Statistics on closure rates over the past decade
- Recommendations if your kids do happen to have the holiday off to make the most of our day!
If you face puzzles or challenges around school calendars, I hope this guide gives you clarity and ideas for the year ahead. Now let‘s get started understanding this important national holiday!
Origins of Presidents‘ Day
While it may seem Presidents‘ Day has always been around to celebrate all U.S. presidents, this patriotic holiday actually started in honor of one single Founding Father – George Washington. Understanding the background can clarify common misconceptions today.
Honoring Washington‘s Birthday
The first widespread Presidents‘ Day celebrations originated in the early 1800s to mark George Washington‘s birthday on February 22nd. Fittingly, festivities first popped up in Washington‘s home state of Virginia as a testament to his invaluable leadership as Revolutionary War general and the nation‘s first president.
With Washington‘s enormous contributions, Congress passed the February 22nd holiday bearing his name into law in 1879. We have been tipping our hats to "The Father of Our Country" for well over a century!
Transformation into Modern Holiday
The shift from Washington‘s Birthday into Presidents‘ Day emerged relatively recently. When Congress moved federal holidays to Mondays with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, Washington‘s Birthday celebration also moved to the third Monday in February.
This created more three-day weekends for workers and established the floating Monday date we now associate with Presidents‘ Day. Schools, government institutions, businesses now mark the holiday on the third Monday without fail.
The Monday pivot also signifies expanding the scope of the holiday beyond Washington himself. Presidents like Abraham Lincoln inspired the February choice, with his birthday falling on February 12th.
While initially seen as Washington‘s day, over the decades the holiday transformed into an opportunity to appreciate all those who served in America‘s highest office.
Modern Traditions and Significance
We now view Presidents‘ Day various ways – as Washington‘s birthday, as Lincoln‘s birthday, and as a collective Presidents‘ Day commemoration:
- Many see it as Washington‘s day specifically and celebrate with events at his Mount Vernon estate or by eating cherry pie
- Some focus on Lincoln‘s legacy and contributions to emancipation and national unity amid the Civil War
- Others embrace commemorating all presidents with parades, memorial wreath layings, museum exhibits on multiple leaders, and reading about a variety of commanders-in-chief
No matter if honoring Washington, Lincoln or a host of others, Presidents‘ Day reminds us of enduring ideals – leadership, civic duty, sacrifice for the country. It is very much wrapped into our national identity.
When Does Presidents‘ Day Fall Each Year?
One consistent aspect of Presidents‘ Day is the calendar – it falls on the third Monday of February each year. Upcoming dates are:
- 2023 – February 20
- 2024 – February 19
- 2025 – February 17
- 2026 – February 16
So if you want to get a jump start, get those February dates on the calendar now! Having Presidents‘ Day annually on a Monday gives many a welcome three-day weekend.
Do Students Have Presidents‘ Day Off Nationwide?
Now that we know the background of Presidents‘ Day, let‘s look at our biggest question – do students actually get the day off school? As a federal holiday, are kids free from the grind of homework, classes, hurried mornings and school lunches for a day?
Federal Holiday Status
As background, Presidents‘ Day is one of ten annual federal holidays. For federal employees, banks and government institutions, the day undoubtedly brings a day of rest from work.
So the holiday has major importance. But federal holiday status does not automatically grant students a free pass from school attendance.
Local District Control Over Closures
The decision about cancelling classes on Presidents‘ Day lies not with state or federal policymakers, but at the local district level. Instead of top-down mandates, school boards weigh factors like:
- Calendar and snow day make-up scheduling needs
- Enrollment numbers and attendance requirements
- Teacher professional development and work options
- Transportation logistics and costs
- Community priorities and family expectations
With decentralized control, closure policies end up varying greatly in this patchwork approach. Don‘t assume your school will align plans with federal guidance!
Closure Rates Over the Past Decade
District policies may waver year to year. But over the past decade, national estimates indicate closure rates on Presidents‘ Day of:
- 95% for colleges and universities
- 75-85% for K-12 public schools
- Around 75% for private K-12 schools
Additionally, closures seem a bit more common in suburban and urban areas compared to rural locales based on surveys.
Bottom line – while your kids may very well have Presidents‘ Day free, keep tabs on your district‘s calendar rather than assuming cancellation of classes.
What Do Schools Do That Remain Open?
While most districts close up shop on the federal holiday, not all do. Districts that stay in session often:
- Hold special lessons focused on presidents, government or civic engagement
- Encourage students and staff to participate in community events before/after school hours
- Schedule a make-up day for families who wish to observe Presidents‘ Day, allowing an excused absence for those students
The key driver? Preserving precious instructional time for students!
Reasons for Differing Closure Policies
With closure rates varying substantially, you may wonder – why do some districts take off while others don‘t? The divide seems to center around two opposing areas – instructional time and aligning with the federal holiday guidance.
Why Some Districts Close
From speaking with administrators making these calls, the most common factors influencing closures are:
- Giving the holiday its due attention as a federal commemoration
- Allowing families and staff to take part in community civic events together
- Providing teachers with a day for lesson planning or professional development
- Meeting enrollment targets already by February in the school year
Following the federal holiday alignment allows students, teachers and community groups to unite around the presidents. For schools that close, this civic engagement seems a core priority.
Why Some Districts Remain Open
For administrators keeping schools in session, these motivations surface repeatedly:
- Preserving instruction time allows students continued academic progress.
- Operational budgets remain strained from heating, electricity and overhead costs even when school is closed.
- Working families cite challenges securing childcare with unpredictable days off.
- Inclement weather days already cut into calendars, with little room remaining for holidays.
From this lens, preserving student learning momentum, saving costs and supporting working parents all require keeping doors open.
Typical Approaches
In weighing the civic holiday opportunity against the instruction time priority, most districts choose one of three paths:
- Student/Teacher Holiday – Around 75-85% close school entirely for a full holiday
- Student Holiday Only – Some close for students but require teacher/staff work days
- Regular School Day – A small portion proceed with a regular full day of school
Individual districts chart their course. But the vast majority still return to the federal holiday calendar, giving kids and teachers a day to recharge or commemorate presidents!
Ideas If Kids Have Presidents‘ Day Off
If you learn your children got the green light for a Presidents Day freebie, how should you spend the gift of time? Here are tips!
Celebrate Presidential History
Since Presidents‘ Day has its roots honoring leaders like Washington and Lincoln, spending some family time focusing on presidential history can be fun and meaningful:
- Visit presidential museums, libraries and historic sites – immerse yourselves in commander-in-chief lore!
- Check out books from the library to read up on the biggest names in the Oval Office or underrated leaders who deserve more spotlight
- Watch a documentary or educational program discussing past presidents your kids find intriguing – get the popcorn going!
- Discuss with kids concepts like leadership, citizenship, overcoming adversity in the context of the presidents‘ journeys and contributions
Even just 30-60 minutes of diving into the lives of presidents on your kids‘ day off makes the holiday more memorable.
Spend Time Together as a Family
As much as presidential history deserves attention, who says you cannot just cherish some free bonding time as a family? Consider:
- Cozy up for family movie time with kids‘ favorites – get the hot cocoa flowing!
- Break out board games and initiate family game night – Pie Face or Monopoly anyone?
- Head to a local park for some fresh air family fun with outdoor sports and hiking
- If kids are older, play touch football or basketball together and get everyone moving!
My recommendation? Use at least part of the day to just be. No work, homework or carpools – just time together.
Check Out Presidents‘ Day Community Events
Nowadays many schools, libraries, cities and civic clubs host special events to honor Presidents‘ Day. Search online for your local options:
- Historic presidential site celebrations – Mt. Vernon and Gettysburg always have great options!
- Library events or museum exhibits featuring presidential themes
- City parades, festivals or fairs highlighting governmental leaders, early American history or civics in general
- Wreath ceremonies, memorial commemorations or other remembrances for past presidents at local monuments
Attending community gatherings exposes kids to history while celebrating presidential legacies – win/win!
Planning Ahead for School Holidays and Unexpected Closures
Whether preparing for Presidents‘ Day or other holidays, getting ahead with school calendars aids immensely with family coordination for vacations and time off work. Bookmark these steps:
Secure School Calendars Early
Make it an early August routine – as soon as districts publish the upcoming school year calendar, get that sucker posted on the fridge or family command central! Sync dates with your personal and work schedules right off the bat.
Note holidays, teacher work days, half days, testing weeks and more. An early scan prevents headaches later as you balance everyone‘s schedules.
Clarify Make-Up Day Policies
Weather may derail the best laid plans! Ask administrators early in the year:
- Are federal holidays definite days off, or potential make-up days?
- How will closures and make-up days be communicated to parents?
- How many make-up days are slated on the calendar?
Make-up policies provide clues on if holidays light Presidents‘ Day may shift due to excessive snow days. Best to know early!
Note Emergency Closure Policies
Few things disrupt work and childcare like unexpected snow. Ensure you know emergency closure policies for inclement weather, flooding and other threats:
- Notification channels – email, text, social media, phone calls, TV?
- Contingency plans for length closures – remote learning, make-up days?
- Storm policies – delayed openings, early dismissals protocols?
Following emergency plans helps weather any storms during the school year!
The Last Word on Presidents‘ Day and School Closures
In this guide, we dug deep on that common parental question – will kids have school off on Presidents Day? Originating as recognition of George Washington‘s birthday, the holiday evolved into a federal Monday holiday commemorating all presidents.
As a federal holiday, Presidents‘ Day sees government closures but school policies vary at the local level. Over the past decade around 75-85% of public K-12 schools have provided students this mid-winter day of rest – but certainty lies in checking your district calendar!
If fortune smiles and kids have the day free, instilling some presidential history, engineering family time, or tapping your community events makes excellent use of a sudden February gift. Getting ahead on district calendars, make-up policies and emergency procedures also aids immensely for family planning.
I hope this guide illuminated if kids will have off on Presidents Day and how to optimize activities if so. Wishing you quality family time however you spend the winter holiday!