HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Keep an eye out for busses and students as Holland Public Schools opens their doors for the start of the 2016-2017 school year on Wednesday, August 24.
Holland’s Board of Education approved a start date of August 24, 2016, back in May and obtained a waiver to do so.
In Michigan under current law, public schools must start after Labor Day, but waivers from the Michigan Department of Education became available for schools to start earlier. Many thought the law was in place so that the tourism season in Michigan would not be affected.
Superintendent Dr. Brian Davis is ready. ” It’s unbelievable that our summer has gone by so quickly. Not only is out band practicing, but they had their band camp a couple of weeks ago. All of our athletics are in full swing and in fact we have two football games before the Labor Day weekend. So school and all the activities are starting earlier than normal, but we’re back in session and ready to go.”
Davis also says that since they applied for a waiver back in Spring, 300 other school districts have applied for the waivers. Davis says. “There are a number of reasons why other schools have applied for the waiver. Largely because so many school activities are back in session, families are back to their routine, school days were added to the calender by state law and we’re really trying to mitigate some of that summer loss for our students. Talking to a number of students and parents, they are ready to go back.” Davis told WHTC news.
Holland High’s first scrimmage of the football season is Friday, August 26 against Wyoming at Ray and Sue Smith stadium on the campus of Hope College.
Many charter schools and private schools already start before Labor Day. The research shows that students need a full week to get adjusted to the school year and by starting early, they will be on track by the time Labor Day rolls around.
