FCPS recently released the calendar for the 2022-23 school year. The most notable additions to the calendar were the inclusion of additional days off for holidays. Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Orthodox Good Friday and Diwali will now be designated as student holidays. Eid and Lunar New Year were included in this decision, however they both fall on non-school days in 2022.
“I think this shows that FCPS is trying to ensure that all students and faculty feel valued and that they respect everyone’s cultural and religious practices,” senior Kenneth Anderson said. “It makes the school system more equal and doesn’t promote one practice over another, which is majorly important in the diverse area that is Northern Virginia. I think that adding these holidays to the calendar is a step in the right direction in making students feel included, in addition to not penalizing them for missing school.”
Veterans Day has also been added as a student holiday and staff workday. Along with that, 14 professional work days for teacher planning and professional development time have been added and new instructions will now be allowed to take place on days denoted as religious and cultural observances.
“Developing the school year calendar is both art and science, as it involves a careful balance of multiple considerations,” FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand said. “Our staff worked very hard to get this calendar right. We believe it is the best option to serve our families, staff, and students in the coming school year.”
FCPS utilized the community to create the calendar. A calendar survey, calendar webinar, and a calendar feedback committee helped with the decision making process.
“I want to thank our community for their involvement in the development of this calendar. This calendar has been a collaborative effort between staff, students, families and our community, and it truly supports our strategic plan goals of student success, caring culture, premier workforce, and resource stewardship,” Fairfax County School Board Chair Stella Pekarsky said.