Presidents Day has become a popular federal holiday for closing public schools in order to allow students and staff an extended weekend off in February. While practices vary between states, districts and individual schools, the majority treat Presidents Day as a school holiday according to recent surveys. For example, figures from 2018-2019 show 72% of K-12 public schools nationwide scheduled closures or teacher work days on this winter Monday off.
As an education reform expert, I‘m often asked by families whether schools close for Presidents Day. So let‘s take a closer look at the history of this holiday, school observance patterns, and reasons for the differences. My goal is to provide some clarity so you know what to expect from your local public schools next Presidents Day.
Origins of Presidents Day
First, some background on Presidents Day itself. What originally started in 1885 as a federal holiday honoring George Washington‘s birthday on February 22nd over time evolved to include celebrating all U.S. presidents. This transformation officially occurred in 1971 when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
This established more three-day weekends for workers by moving federal holidays to Mondays. In Washington‘s case, his birthday celebration date moved from February 22nd to the third Monday in February. Schools, government agencies, post offices, and many businesses now close on this Monday instead.
With this calendar change also came a common cultural shift from Washington‘s Birthday to the more inclusive Presidents Day as we know it. It broadened to honor achievements of other influential presidents like Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. Marketing around holiday sales and promotions further solidified its status.
Today Presidents Day serves as a prime opportunity for public reflection on the importance of leadership, democracy, and our shared history. Communities hold parades, events and educational activities. Families use it to teach children about presidencies past and present at memorial sites.
State and Regional Variations
Now when we look at schools, keep in mind that federal law does not require public K-12 schools to close for Presidents Day. It‘s considered optional, with decisions made at more local levels instead. This results in noticeable differences between states and regions.
As one example, states like California, Texas, Illinois and New York regularly have most school districts within them close. Teachers use it as a work day for training while students get an extended weekend off.
But in places like Delaware, North Carolina and Georgia, schools more commonly stay open and treat it as a normal school day. District policies, regional traditions and making up snow days all influence the decision.
In a National Council on Teacher Quality survey from 2015 asking if schools close on Presidents Day, results showed:
- 72% of respondents said yes
- 18% said no
- 10% used it as a teacher work day
So while closing is most typical, there remains variations even between neighboring cities as local school boards set their own calendars. Private and parochial schools also often differ from their public counterparts.
Why Schools Close
Looking deeper at some of the main reasons public schools close on Presidents Day:
- Teacher Professional Development Days – Many districts designate Presidents Day for teacher work days, training events, collaborative planning or staff conferences. This provides time for activity that otherwise would cancel classes.
- Extending Winter Break – Aligning Presidents Day with mid-winter recess adds a third no-school day for many. This extra vacation day incentivizes the holiday for families too.
- Contractual Obligations – Agreements between districts, boards and teacher unions often guarantee certain federal holidays off like Presidents Day. Its inclusion can be part of negotiated teacher contracts.
In recent surveys among educators, about half cite using Presidents Day primarily as a professional development opportunity afforded by a school holiday. For the other half, it factored into break schedules or contractual elements outside their direct control.
Why Some Schools Stay Open
On the other hand, understandably some public school districts cannot afford shutting down for Presidents Day, even if brief. Budgets, attendance revenues, calendar requirements and local priorities lead them to stay open.
Here are some of the most common reasons cited:
- Make Up Days From Severe Winter Weather – Excess snow days often require using Presidents Day as a regular school day to preserve summer vacation as long as possible. This is particularly true in the icy Great Lakes and Northeast regions.
- Adhering to Minimum Annual Instructional Hours – Stricter state policies around meeting minimum classroom time can limit flexibility with Presidents Day. Schools then opt to remain open.
- Year-Round School Schedules – More schools moving to year-round schedules with shorter seasonal breaks may eliminate Presidents Day off. Their extended school years depend on fewer interruptions.
While the above factors drive some schools to stay open, economic considerations around state funding and budgets loom large as well in many cases. Each day closed cuts into tight finances supporting overall district operations.
Typical Presidents Day School Calendars
Given the interplay of policy and practical factors schools weigh around Presidents Day, what do their calendars actually look like in practice?
Here are a few examples of school approaches from recent years:
Closed for Students, Open for Teacher Development Day
- Friday – Regular final school day before long weekend
- Monday – Closed for students, optional teacher training/work day
- Tuesday – Classes resume
This allows teachers to participate in staff development activities without having to arrange substitute teachers or complicate lesson planning. Students still get an extended weekend.
Schools Remain Fully Open
- Friday – Normal full day of school
- Monday – Remains open, regular day of classes
- Tuesday – School continues as scheduled
Districts on tighter budgets or making up many snow days often opt to preserve Presidents Day as an active instructional day.
Hybrid Options
- Friday – Last regular classes day
- Monday – School closed for students, parent-teacher conferences held
- Tuesday – Students return to school
Other schools explore hybrids were they close for students but use the day for parent-teacher meetings to maximize impact. Teachers get enhanced planning time too.
These give a snapshot of the typical calendar variations schools consider around the Presidents Day holiday period. Closure practices can shift each year too depending on weather, school board decisions and teacher input.
It again underscores the importance of parents checking their specific school website calendars regularly for the latest updates. Details often finalize only in the preceding late winter months once heavier snow seasons conclude.
Key Recommendations for Parents on School Closures
Based on all we‘ve covered, what guidance can I offer parents when it comes to Presidents Day school closures? Here are key recommendations:
- Consult Your Specific District Calendar Annually – Relying on prior years or neighbor schools risks surprises. Details on if classes are cancelled should be published by early February.
- Note Teacher Work Day Differences – See if closed days are for all staff or just students. This dictates childcare needs.
- Compare Nearby Districts – With varying close/open policies between adjoining towns, contrasting them helps set expectations.
- Understand Reasons Behind Decisions – Take time to read district communications explaining closure rationale when provided.
- Have Backup Childcare Plans – With severe weather and shifting calendars always possible, have contingency arrangements ready just in case. It avoids last minute stresses.
- Get Older Students Involved – For middle/high school families, engage older students in closure monitoring duties. It teaches responsibility while freeing up parent time.
- Use Days Off for Educational Activities – If an extended holiday weekend results, use extra time for shared learning around presidents, history and leadership.
I hope these points give all parents a great starting framework for anticipating and managing school closures around Presidents Day. Please reach out with any other questions!
Dr. Regina Floyd
Education Policy Director
Young America‘s Foundation
Sources: National Council on Teacher Quality Survey, 2015-2016; TimeAndDate Holidays Database; U.S. Department of Education