Schools Calendar Survey: Parents More Likely to Send Kids to School on Holidays

When it comes to preferences on school closures, the majority of parents from Montgomery County Public Schools would send their children to class, regardless of the holiday, according to recent survey results.

The response from parents come amid the Montgomery County Board of Education’s decision to conduct a calendar survey for parents, students, staff, and the community regarding “desired operational closures.”  The Board’s unanimous decision was in response to Governor Larry Hogan’s 2016 executive order that required school to begin after Labor Day.

Out of the more than 37,000 people who responded to the survey, more than half of parents said they would send their child to school despite a religious or federally-recognized holiday:

Courtesy of MCPS

Courtesy of MCPS

When it comes to the importance of state-mandated closures, the survey revealed Thanksgiving and the day after are the most important closures for parents. Christmas Eve through New Year’s ranked second most important, followed by Memorial Day.

Courtesy of MCPS

Results from the survey, conducted by Hanover Research, which will be used to develop the 2019-2020 school year calendar.

About Mitti Hicks

Mitti Hicks is a multimedia journalist and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She is passionate about telling stories that impact our community and may be reached at MHicks@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter @mittimegan.

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