Mass. Summer running end of June to end of July that's it? (school districts, closing)

[Ericthebean]

I wonder if that's just tradition in my family in-law's town or is that all Massachusetts

Basically in the town summer activity depends on the kid's being out of school. Because of some schools that get out of exams mid-last week June, things open up last week June

Then comes July 4th weekend
Then, weather permitting, there's summer stuff and if rain it's cancelled


Last week July is usually the beginning of back-to-school sales, closing of the parks and pool and whatever else, the put away the grille for the fall... End of the Tanglewood concert season final goodbyes

New Englanders, being early to rise and plan ahead kind of people, August is back to school

So with that said, don't you think we don't make our summer long enough?

[Shizim]

Do you mean in terms of kids? as an adult my "summer" runs from June through early Sept. My grill only got put up a few weeks ago.

Kids getting out of school at all for "summer" is a crock anyway. the whole reasoning behind it is related to an agricultural society. I would keep them in school all year with just an extra week off here or there.... now i sound like an old fuddy duddy.

[kingeorge]

MA school year ends second or third week of June, depending on how many snow days we had during the winter. And, usually nobody is back to school before September or very late August. Day or two before, or right after Labors Day depending on school district calendars.

I am OK with this so far. If my kids had less vacation time, I would probably not have them in the public school at all. Young minds, and young souls need some unstructured downtime. Plus, we do try to travel, and spend some quality time together.

Our school district has many families of mixed nationalities, and having school all year long is out of question. This is the only time of the year available to them, to travel, and connect with relatives abroad. Many private schools knowing that parents are itching to go, and do things elsewhere, release kids as early as May. There is more to life than to be on a perpetual hamster wheel/rat race.

[CaseyB]

Labor Day is traditionally the end of the summer season in New England.

I'm still cooking on the grill.

[Ericthebean]

Then what's this culture of back to school as soon as the word August is sounded?

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by Ericthebean

Then what's this culture of back to school as soon as the word August is sounded?

Stores wanting to sell back to school?

[elhelmete]

Originally Posted by Ericthebean

Then what's this culture of back to school as soon as the word August is sounded?

I don't subscribe to retail's definition of "culture"

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Labor Day is traditionally the end of the summer season in New England.

Couldn't agree more.

Originally Posted by CaseyB

I'm still cooking on the grill.

People put their grills away? I use mine all year. This year I bought myself a decent smoker so I may try smoking at some point during the winter this year too.

Originally Posted by Ericthebean

Then what's this culture of back to school as soon as the word August is sounded?

Let me answer your question with a question . . . why this year did I start seeing Christmas displays in some stores before Halloween? Is Christmas coming earlier?

[xo_kizzy_xo]

Some school districts started school in late August this year because they exceeded their number of snow days last year. Most schools don't have A/C; therefore, it's more economical (and makes sense) to let them out before the bitter heat of late June/early July hits than have them swelter in a classroom where they probably won't learn as much because they would be sweltering.

My town's schools fell into this exact scenario. Classes started a week or so before Labor Day.

[Ericthebean]

I just don't want it to be tradition that summer starts July 4th and ends July 27th. Which basically means some years a summer at the beach is a no-go if by chance, the 3 weekends of summer are rained out