MOCO Schools Calendar Updated For Remainder Of 2021-22 Year

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The Board of Education voted to change three full school days to half days, citing a need for more time for teachers to develop lessons.

"MCPS recognizes that teacher planning time is critical for the preparation of meaningful and engaging lessons for students each day," the Board said in a news release. "To support this, three early release days have been added to this school year’s calendar to allow for important work time for staff."

The half days will be Wednesday, Jan. 12; Thursday, March 24; and Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

The entire district will now be closed systemwide on during winter break on Dec. 23 and Dec. 27 through Dec. 30, 2021, as well as during spring break on April 13 and April 14, 2022. There will also be a systemwide closure on June 20, for Juneteenth.

"These changes maintain 181 days of instruction and keep the last day of school on June 15, 2022," the district said in the announcement. "It is important to note that MCPS will still exceed the minimum number of hours of instruction required by the state."

See more Montgomery County Public Schools news:

• School Board President, VP Reelected For Another Year
• Scott Joftus Chosen For MOCO School Board's Open Spot

This isn't the first time this year the calendar has been altered. The Board of Education decided earlier this fall to cancel school the day before Thanksgiving, saying that there is typically a dip in attendance that day and they are experiencing a substitute shortage this year.