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Over 3,000 students in Manassas Park had their first day of school today.
Going back much earlier than surrounding localities, the Manassas Park Public School system is implementing a ‘balanced calendar’ with a school year that runs from August 17 to June 20.
“Today was our first day, and we had a great opening – just a very, very smooth opening. And we’re really excited to be back in school,” said Manassas Park Public Schools Superintendent Dr. C. Brude McDade.
A law on the books in Virginia known as the “King’s Dominion Law” does not allow schools without a waiver to go back in session until after Labor Day. Prince William County and Manassas City Public Schools did receive a waiver because of missed days due to inclement weather, and will go back on August 31.
Manassas Park also received a waiver, but it was part of the approval for the school system’s new calendar, stated McDade.
According to McDade, the feedback about starting earlier so far has been positive.
“We sensed from [an open house] last week that students and parents were really excited, and were looking forward to coming back,” McDade said.
In addition to starting earlier, students in Manassas Park will have a week long break at the end of October and March, and the standard 10-days off in December.
Along with these, McDade stated that the schools will offer ‘intersessions’ which twice during the year, which will give students time to catch up if they’re falling behind, or a chance to have internships and field trip experiences. None of these activities will come at an additional cost for the students, according to McDade.
“The agrarian-based school calendar just isn’t cutting it anymore,” said McDade.
