MCPS is proposing an earlier start date for the 2017–2018 school year. The recommended date, Aug. 21, 2017, would be two weeks prior to Labor Day and one week prior to the traditional start of the school year for MCPS. The proposed start date would allow for an additional week of instruction prior to end-of-year assessments, such as Advanced Placement exams and Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments, thereby maximizing instructional time. This proposed change would also put MCPS’ start date in alignment with 11 other school districts around the state that will be starting school the week of Aug. 22, including Frederick, Baltimore, and Prince George’s counties. The recommended changes to the calendar are based on the input of various stakeholder groups, including parents, principals, teachers, and district administrators. The Board of Education will adopt the 2017-2018 school year calendar in November. You can view the proposed calendar, read more about the calendaring process, and provide feedback on the proposed calendar at: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/calendar/proposed-calendar-2017-18.aspx