Fairfax County School Board Approves Calendar Based on Data and Community Input

The Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt a calendar for the 2022-23 school year that focuses on instruction, and student and operational needs. Additionally, the calendar is aligned with neighboring school districts and adds additional key observance days.

“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,” said Stella Pekarsky, Chair, Fairfax County School Board and Sully District Representative. 

The development of the calendar for the 2022-23 school year was guided by a framework which clearly outlines factors FCPS must consider when developing its calendar, including state and federal law, superintendent priorities, state guidance on community feedback, and School Board feedback. 

Highlights include:

• Alignment with surrounding jurisdictions.
• 14 professional work days for teacher planning and professional development time.
• Additional days off. Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Orthodox Good Friday, and Diwali will now be designated as student holidays. (Eid and Lunar New Year fall on a non-school day in 2022.) 
• Inclusion of Veterans Day as a student holiday and staff work day. 
• A change in FCPS’ approach to “O” days. Regulation 2234 will be revised to allow new instruction to take place on days denoted as religious and cultural observances. Tests, quizzes, tryouts that cannot be rescheduled, and sporting events and other school-sponsored special events and activities will still be prohibited.

“Developing the school year calendar is both art and science, as it involves a careful balance of multiple considerations,” said Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand. “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.” 

Community engagement played an important part in developing the 2022-23 school year calendar. A Calendar Survey, Calendar Webinar, and a Calendar Feedback Committee provided valuable feedback to inform FCPS leadership’s decision-making process. 

The first day of the 2022-23 school year is Monday, August 22. Thanksgiving break will be November 23-25, winter break will be December 19, 2022-January 2, 2023, and spring break will be April 3-7, 2023. 

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For more information, please contact the Office of Communication and Community Relations at [email protected].