The 2026-27 school year is currently scheduled to end with an early release day on Monday, June 21, which falls after the three-day Juneteenth holiday weekend. This calendar is illogical and not family friendly: it asks students to return for a single early release day after a long weekend, right when families are trying to begin their summer plans. We are families from across the district, and we are asking you to end the year on Thursday, June 17 instead.

A Monday finish puts families in a bind. The last day is an early release day when most after school programs have ended, so working parents already have to arrange childcare or take time off from work. In addition, most summer camps run Monday through Friday and are a major expense for families. Families will need to choose between paying for a day of camp that their child will miss or missing the last day of school. Neither of these is a good choice.

Vacation plans create the same problem. Working families have limited vacation days, and some will take advantage of the long weekend to begin their summer travel on Friday, June 18. These children will miss the last day of school as a result.

Between camp costs and vacation plans, many students will be absent on the last day of school, a celebratory day that should bring the school community together. With low attendance, the last day loses much of its meaning for students and teachers alike.

There is an easy fix: eliminate the "Day Between Semesters" on January 28, allowing the school year to end on Thursday, June 17. This is a much better option for families and teachers alike.

Seattle Public Schools has a responsibility to support the families it serves. A small calendar adjustment would make the end of school more meaningful to students and teachers, and would make summer planning more logical for thousands of households. Please reconsider the 2026-27 calendar.