Hiro11

It has to be a white-out blizzard for the schools to be closed here in Chicago. People here are basically rally-type experts at driving in heavy snow.

cindyabs

Traditionally, when the US was more agriculturally based than industrially based, the school year was geared to the planting/harvesting season-kids needed to help out.

Up north, we always started school the Wed after Labor Day, were off for the Federal holidays, 2 weeks for Xmas, 2 weeks in Feb, a week at Easter. However, the school year didn't end until after the middle of June. Down South, the kids generally get out much earlier and start much earlier. Plus they don't seem to have as many days off as I did years ago..

robin1234

We often used to fly to England over Christmas - flew out Christmas day, returned to the US New Years Day. Christmas day is a great day to fly; the airlines seem to have regular schedules, but no-one's travelling (we're not Christians so spending the day travelling was actually a plus because you miss the lugubrious holiday )
This raises an interesting paradox; USA is a profoundly religious country, but "open for business" on Easter and Christmas; UK is profoundly secular, yet closes down for several days on those two holidays.
Anyway, to get back on topic; no children have school between Dec 24 and Jan 1, so it can be a good time for a family trip.

Robin

tamms_1965

I teach HS in Ohio and this is pretty much our schedule also. Each state has a minimum requirement of "school hours" the students must be in attendance. In the midwest, you can usually count on a few snow days also in the winter. Some schools in my area that do not have air conditioning started this week, but are either letting out early or cancelling classes due to the heat/humidiy (Tuesday low 90s with over 70% humidity).

keira-2007

Wow - thanks Hiro. You guys are saviours!

Thanks Jumping doris. I agree with you about missing the half-terms etc. It strikes me as awfully long terms. My daugthers knackered at after 6 straight weeks of school. Can't imagine what she'll be like after 9 - with only the odd Monday off!

Apw - you make me laugh!

Can't wait for that sodding alarm clock to scare the sh*t out of me on a crisp winters morn...

Yeah I checked the site penguinsix mentioned and it said students must do 180 days. This is probably similar to the UK only spread over a different amount of time.

This is gonna all take a bit of getting used to but I'll get there. Thanks for all your help again guys. Regards Keira

jumping doris

Sadly, for my kids, our school superintendant is from somewhere like Maine and so he rarely calls a snow day or a delay. This year we had freezing rain and that was why he let them off. I have never seen freezing rain before and I was amazed at how everything looks, coated in crystal clear ice and I had no idea of the damage it can do to trees and power lines.

Kaffy Mintcake

Yes, here's a pic from our neighborhood after freezing rain last year. You can see how bent down the trees, etc. are ...

Poor tree.

another bloody yank

Not to mention how much fun it is getting in your car!:curse:

tamms_1965

I live in Beavercreek (close to Dayton) now for past 4 years but lived rest of my life in and around Cinci (mostly Anderson/Turpin). What side of town do you live? If you need any local info. let me know.

cindyabs

HA! I lived in West Carrollton for 7 years! Ex was from Kettering.

tamms_1965

Small world! Lucky you....you do not live here any more. Ex is from the same area of Cinci I was from.....I wish he'd move back but he now lives 5 from myself and new hubby. Have a good day!

Kaffy Mintcake

My husband is from Kettering!

cindyabs

Ex grew up on Brydon Rd, right off of Dorothy Lane.

snowbunny

The "traditional school year" ended around Memorial Day (last Monday in May) and began after Labor Day (first Monday in September). Families would take a month-long holiday or spend the entire summer on the lake or at the shore. Not any more!

These days there are year-round schools (with breaks between sessions), but most schools still follow some variation of the standard year. Time off for "winter break" is anywhere from two weeks to a month; there is usually a week off in spring, generally in March, which may or may not coincide with Easter. The Friday after Thanksgiving is usually a holiday; sometimes the Wednesday preceding Thanksgiving is a holiday.

Then there are odd days here and there for certain holidays that vary by region, and days reserved for teacher training and parent-teacher conferences, when the kids aren't in school.

The reason for having "make up" days for bad weather is not because they want to make sure Junior is learning everything. All schools receive money from the federal government based upon average attendance and how many days school is in session. One day missed means missing a day's worth of funding. Attendance is checked/taken at a fixed time of the day, so if your child needs to be out of school for a doctor's appointment, it's best to schedule before or after the attendance time.

As others have said, you should Google on the school district(s) that you will be in.... and see what their calendar is like.

And unless you go to a private school, no religious holidays can be recognised at school, so Christmas pageants are Not Allowed, nor is talk of Easter.

another bloody yank

Or apparently as of this year, Halloween.