Press Release #28/March 15, 2021
From the first day of school in August to the last day in June, Dearborn Public Schools’ calendar for 2021-22 will look familiar to district families.
But as with all the schedule changes since COVID-19 arrived, the district is warning parents and staff that the calendar may change depending on how things evolve. Among other potential issues, the state of Michigan is considering requiring more school days next year to help students catch up from COVID-related school interruptions over the last year.
Dearborn hopes to start next school year with a return to five full days of school a week, but any such decisions will depend on COVID conditions closer to that time. The district also plans to continue to offer an online-only option for families who live in the district.
As it stands now, the current calendar for 2021-22 school year will start on Aug. 30, the Monday before Labor Day and end on June 17, 2022. Labor Day will be a four-day weekend with schools closed Sept. 3 and 6. Students will have a two-week winter break from Dec. 18 through Jan. 2. Mid-winter break will be five days, Friday through Tuesday, Feb. 18 to 22, 2022. Spring break in 2022 will run from March 28 through April 1. Schools will also be closed for Good Friday on April 15, 2022 and Eid al Fitr on May 2 and 3, 2022.
The district calendar is created during contract negotiation with the Dearborn Federation of Teachers (DFT). Any changes to the already agreed-upon calendar would need to be discussed with the DFT and then approved by the Board of Education.
“We understand that parents and staff need to know this information so they can make plans for the upcoming year. However, given the many variables that will play out in the weeks and months ahead, the only dates we know for certain that will remain unchanged will be the winter break in December and spring break,” said David Mustonen, Dearborn Schools Communications Director.
Next year’s calendar also includes seven late start days, usually on the second Wednesday of the month. There are no late starts in November, January and June. On late start days, students will start school one hour later but end at the same time. Teachers and principals use the hour for professional development and to work on school improvement plans. The district has used late start days for many years, although this school year all the dates ended up being cancelled and replaced by other staff time related to remote learning and the start of blended learning.
The 2021-22 calendar is posted on the district’s website and can be accessed by visiting https://dearbornschools.org/district/district-calendars. Visitors will be able to download a PDF version or view an online calendar. Parents are reminded to check with their child’s school for important events and activities unique to their school and not appearing on the district calendar.