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    ​​​Basic Education Circulars (BECs)

    ​Days Schools Not to be Kept Open

    24 P.S. § 15-1502

    Date of Issue: March 1, 1999
    Date of Review: July 1, 2009 July 1, 2005

    Purpose

    This BEC identifies for the board of school directors when developing their school calendar which days may be used as instructional days and specific days of the week and holidays which may not be used for instruction under any circumstances. Also described is the process for establishing a board of school director’s “local” holidays in the school calendar and restrictions related to those days.

    School Calendar Development

    Section 1502 states that "no school shall be kept open on any Saturday for the purpose of ordinary instruction, except when Monday is fixed by the board of school directors as the weekly holiday, or on Sunday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving, the First of January, and up to five additional days designated as local holidays in the adopted school calendar by the board of school directors as official local school district holidays, nor shall any school be kept open in any district during the time of holding the teachers' institute for such district. The board of school directors may cancel any day designated as a local holiday in the event of a weather emergency or natural disaster."

    No school shall be kept open on any Saturday for the purpose of ordinary instruction, except when Monday is fixed by the board of school directors as the weekly holiday (which would require that school be scheduled Tuesday through Saturday for the entire school term).

    Official Local School District Holidays

    If a board of school directors chooses to identify up to five "official local school district holidays" pursuant to Section 1502, these dates must be specifically designated as Section 1502 holidays within the resolution approving the school calendar (for example, Section 1502 holidays: November 14, 2003, January 20, 2004, February 14, 2004, etc.). This resolution must be passed by the school directors prior to the start of the school year. Once designated, Section 1502 "official local school district holidays" cannot be rescheduled and can only be canceled in the event of a weather emergency or natural disaster.

    References

    Purdon's Statutes

    24 P.S. § 15-1502

    Bureau/Office Contact

    School Services Unit
    Pennsylvania Department of Education
    Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
    Forum Building
    607 South Drive
    Harrisburg, PA  17120
    Phone: 717-787-4860 | Fax: 717-214-​4389
    RA-PDE-SchoolService@pa.gov