By Adrianna Clay

This story was posted on May 29, 2024. Here is the original link.

Norfolk students are excited for summer break, but they will have a shorter vacation than usual.

Norfolk Public Schools will open earlier for the 2024–2025 school year on August 19th, much to the displeasure of students and staff alike.

Norfolk Public Schools’ main reason for starting school early is to align with other school districts. Therefore, the 2024–2025 school year will have a mid-August start date and no March Break(which was March 11th this school year).

Mr. Wright, an English teacher at Maury, expresses his disappointment.

“It’s unfortunate that we will be missing a week of summer,” Wright says. “But it’s ultimately a very good thing because it makes us more competitive on national exams.”

Chaundra Cooper, a freshman at Maury, says she doesn’t like the new start date.

“We won’t be getting out of this school year until June,” says Cooper. “I feel like we deserve a longer summer.”

Damon McDaniel, a sophomore football player at Maury, expresses that the new start date is “a real struggle” because the summer break is so short.

“We don’t get that much-needed time to relax and recharge,” McDaniel says.

Ms. Campbell, business teacher at Maury High School, recommends going back to an older, later start date.

“I like the idea of going back after Labor day because I feel like September is considered fall,” says Ms. Campbell. “I like to have my whole month of July and August because that’s considered summer.”

Ms. Newman, business and information technology teacher at Maury High school, does not want to start earlier either.

“I have adjusted to the idea,” said Ms. Newman, “However I do prefer to start a month later.”

Aalayah Clayton, another Maury freshman, expresses at least one positive possibility.

“I think it’s bad unless we get out early,” Clayton says.

Per the new calendar for the 2024–2025 school year, the last day of school will be May 30th, earlier than this year’s June 7th final day.