Study the school calendar for those unexpected days-off.
Posted October 2nd, 2016.
Categories: Child Custody, Custody Tips, Family Law.
Non-custodial parents can often upgrade their visitation schedule by scrutinizing the children’s school calendar at the beginning of the school. In fact, by this time of year, most school districts around the country have posted their revised calendars online. To the surprise of many parents, school districts often schedule days off (or in-service days or teacher workshops) at odd times of year or overlapping certain religious holidays.
Not uncommonly, school districts in some areas give time off during the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Fridays are usually tossed in after Thanksgiving, and half-days on Fridays are not uncommon around certain major holidays. However, non-custodial parents may be surprised to learn that their children’s school districts may also cancel classes on Election Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, and other national or religious holidays.
Parochial and private schools may schedule other days off: For example, Cardinal O’Hara High School, a Catholic facility in suburban Philadelphia, will dismiss children early on Wednesday November 24th this year, following a Thanksgiving Liturgy. The Pleasant Valley Montessori School in Clackamas County, Oregon will cancel school on Monday, January 18 in honor of Martin Luther King Day. The Pine Crest School, a private academy in South Florida, will release students on Monday, November 1 while teachers attend a faculty meeting.
Studying the school calendar in advance can help you allocate free days more fairly between the custodial and non-custodial parents. By addressing these issues prior to commencement of the school year, you can reach early agreements — or obtain necessary court orders — to deal with all of the children’s days off from school.
