Published in the August 3, 2018 edition
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — There’s still plenty of summer left, but once the calendar flips from July to August, thoughts inevitably turn to the upcoming school year.
While in the nearby communities of Lynnfield, Melrose and Reading students will be returning to school on Aug. 29, Wakefield’s first day of classes will be Thursday, Sept. 6, according to the Wakefield Public Schools 2018-2019 calendar. Teachers will report back to work earlier, with a day of professional development scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 5.
The school calendar notes Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 10 and 11, as the Jewish holy days of Rosh Hashana. Sept. 18 and 19 are listed as Yom Kippur. While Wakefield schools do not close on these days, no important events or student assessments are scheduled.
Back to School Nights are scheduled as follows: Wednesday, Sept. 12 for Galvin Middle School grades 5 and 6; Thursday, Sept. 13 for GMS grades 7 and 8; and Thursday, Sept. 20 for Wakefield Memorial High School. Back to School Night for Greenwood and Dolbeare is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 25; for Woodville and Walton on Wednesday, Sept. 26, and for the Doyle School on Thursday, Sept. 27.
The first early release day of the school year is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept 26, for staff professional development.
Moving to October, there is a full day of staff professional development scheduled for Friday, Oct. 5 and there will be no school for students on that day. The following Monday, Oct. 8, school will be closed for the Columbus Day holiday. Another half-day of professional development is on the calendar for Wednesday, Oct. 17, an early-release day for students.
A full-day of professional development is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 6. Wednesday, Nov. 7 and Wednesday, Nov. 14 will be an early release days for pre-K through grade 4 as parent conference are scheduled. On Monday, Nov. 12, schools will be closed for the Veterans Day holiday. Wednesday, Nov. 21 will be an early release day. Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 22 and 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Wednesday, Nov. 28 will be an early release day for grades 5-8 due to parent conferences. Thursday, Nov. 29 will be early release for grade 9-12 parent conferences.
Wednesday, Dec. 12 will be an early release day for all students due to staff professional development. Schools will be closed Dec. 24 – Jan. 1 for winter break, with classes resuming on Jan 2, 2019. On Monday, Jan. 21, schools will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Wednesday, Jan. 30 will be a half-day for all students due to early release for staff professional development.
Wednesday, Feb. 13 will also be an early release day for staff professional development. Monday Feb. 18 is Presidents Day and the remainder of the week, Feb. 19-22 is February school vacation.
Wednesday, March 6 and Wednesday, March 20 are both early release days for staff professional development. Wednesday, March 27 is an early release day for pre-K through grade 4 students due to parent conferences.
Wednesday, April 3 is listed as an early release day for parent conferences. School will be closed from Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19 for the Patriots Day holiday and April school vacation. Wednesday, April 24 will be an early release day for staff professional development.
Wednesday, May 15 will be a half-day for students due to teacher professional development. School will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.
Wednesday, June 5 will be an early release day for staff professional development. Friday, June 14 is the last day of school for pre-K and kindergarten. Wednesday, July 19 is the last day of school for all other students.