Back To School? Already? Where Did Summer Go?

Used to be, kids in most area schools went back into the classrooms after Labor Day.

Man, those were the days.

For the upcoming school year (see calendar below), Forsyth County Schools open Thursday, Aug. 9.

To some, it seems as if summer vacation gets shorter and shorter each year. To others (harried parents running out of kid-friendly entertainment options, perhaps?), it can't come soon enough.

So our question here is, do you feel that summer vacation is too short? Do kids head back to school too early? Or do they need that classroom time in order to prepare themselves for a successful future?

2012-2013 School Year Calendar

First Semester

Aug. 2-8 - Preplanning for elementary and middle school staff
Aug. 3-8 - Preplanning for high school staff
Aug. 6 - Open House for middle school from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 7 - Open House for elementary school from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 9 - First day of school
Aug. 29 - Early release
Sept. 3 - Labor Day (schools closed)
Sept. 26 - Early release
Oct. 17-18 - Early release (parent conference, K-8)
Oct. 19 - Student and staff holiday
Nov. 6 - Student holiday
Nov. 19-23 - Thanksgiving holiday break (schools closed)
Dec. 20 - End of first semester
Dec. 21 - Student holiday
Dec. 24-31 - Holiday break (schools closed)
Jan. 1-4 - Holiday break (schools closed)

Second Semester

Jan. 7 - First Day of Second Semester
Jan. 21 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (schools closed)
Feb. 15 - Student holiday
Feb. 18 - President's Day (schools closed)
March 15 - Early release (parent conference, K-12)
March 29 - Inclement first weather day
April 1-5 - Spring break (schools closed)
May 24 - Last day of school
May 24 - End of second semester
May 28-29 - Post Planning

The calendar is subject to revision due to inclement weather and system finances, according to Forsyth County Schools.