How schools avoid the last day of school on a Monday: “The parents are very satisfied with our decision”

Last Day of school: Creative Solutions Emerge Amidst Debate

The final bell of the school year in Belgium has become a topic of intense discussion. Education Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) surprised many by choosing to keep the last day on June 30th, even though it falls on a Monday.This decision, announced last November, defied expectations that the day would be scrapped due to concerns about declining school performance and teacher shortages. As Demir stated in a recent newspaper interview,“With the decline in school performance and the teacher shortage,we will need every school day to stand in front of the classroom and teach young people.”

Finding Innovative Solutions

While some schools may simply accept the Minister’s decision, others are creatively tackling the challenge of a Monday last day of school.

Numerous schools across Flanders have opted to move their official last day to the preceding Friday, giving students and teachers a head start on their summer break. This approach provides families with easier planning, simplifies childcare arrangements, and allows teachers a much-needed break.

However, teachers in these schools will still be required to work on Monday, June 30th, potentially engaging in tasks such as classroom preparation, professional advancement, or administrative duties.

Flemish Schools Shift Last Day of Term to Friday for Family Convenience

In a move designed to better accommodate families, Flemish schools have decided to shift the last day of the academic year to Friday, June 28th. Originally scheduled for Monday, June 30th, the change comes after schools opted to move the planned pedagogical study day to the preceding Friday.

Giving Families More Flexibility

This shift is largely driven by the desire to meet the needs of families, many of whom take advantage of cheaper travel fares by embarking on weekend getaways before the official start of the summer holidays. As Martine Foulon, director of Ark 123 primary school in Leuven, explained, “We always have such a pedagogical study day planned for the next school year. This year, we’ve decided to move it to June 30th. We presented that proposal to the school council and received a positive response.”

Steven Foulon, director of a school in Sint-Niklaas, echoed this sentiment, sharing: “I had already received quite a few messages from parents who wanted to travel the weekend before the last day of school, as it was cheaper then.”

logistical Considerations for schools

While the change allows students to enjoy an extended weekend,it does pose some logistical challenges for schools. Foulon highlighted the impracticality of hosting special end-of-year events on Monday, June 30th, given the anticipated high absentee rate. “If you know that so many children will be gone that Monday,” he stated, “you want to say goodbye to the children on Friday. To organize an activity on Monday… Then you are actually doing neither meat nor fish.”

While students enjoy their extended break, teachers will still be required to attend school on June 30th for pedagogical discussions and administrative tasks related to the end of the school year.

Schools Offer Summer Care Solutions for Parents

Recognizing the need for continued childcare during the summer holiday, many schools are stepping up to provide extended care options for families. This proactive approach aims to ensure a smooth transition for parents and children alike.

Extended Care on June 30th

One notable initiative involves extending childcare services specifically on June 30th. This valuable resource provides parents with much-needed support when regular school schedules conclude.

Educational institutions are making efforts to accommodate parent needs during the summer break.

Study Days Gaining Popularity as Schools Prioritize Flexibility

As the summer holidays approach, schools across the region are reevaluating their end-of-year schedules, with some opting for increased flexibility by integrating study days or optional days off. This shift reflects a growing understanding of the need to accommodate families’ travel plans while providing teachers with valuable planning time.

Proactive Planning: GO! Balder Leads the Way

GO! balder primary school in Sint-Gillis exemplifies this new approach. Director Mike Goudeseune decided to implement a study day on June 30th even before the wider conversation about adjusting the final school day began.

“When planning for this school year,I had already scheduled a study day on June 30th,” Goudeseune explained. “I believe it’s a bit exaggerated when teachers and schools complain that we should get an extra day off because it reinforces the idea that we already have sufficient vacation time. That’s why I took a proactive approach to address this.”

Meeting Family Needs and Teacher Demands

Martine Foulon, Director of Ark 132 primary school, emphasized the benefits for families looking to capitalize on more affordable travel options during the weekend preceding the original last day of school. “I had already received numerous messages from parents who wanted to go on a trip during the weekend before the last day of school, as it is indeed cheaper then,” Foulon revealed.

The introduction of study days not only accommodates family travel plans but also provides teachers with invaluable time for lesson planning and professional development.

Belgium Schools Grapple With Last Day on a Monday & New smartphone Ban

Schools across Belgium are facing a double challenge as the academic year draws to a close. Not only does the final day of school fall on a Monday this year, raising concerns about student absenteeism, but a sudden smartphone ban in secondary schools has left educators scrambling for practical solutions.

“It is the first time that a minister has decided to have the last day of school on a Monday,” noted one school official, highlighting the uncharted territory schools are navigating. While some schools remain optimistic about attendance, others are worried that students might choose to start their summer break early, potentially impacting the effectiveness of the final day’s lessons.

Adding to the complexity, Belgium’s mid-year decision to ban smartphones in secondary schools has left educators with little time to adapt.”Schools organize themselves before the start of the new school year,” explained dirk Lenaerts, coordinating director of the Oscar Romero school community in Antwerp. “So they now face the challenge of solving this practically.”

Finding New Ways to Connect

In response to the smartphone ban, some schools are exploring innovative approaches. Xaverius College in Antwerp, for example, is planning a voluntary “student contact” day on June 30th.” This is mainly intended for students who are unsure about their choice of study for the next school year,” said Joos Van Goethem, director of Xaverius College. “While all students already have their reports, and some will be absent, we know from the past that quite a few students sign up for these sessions. for colleagues, it is certainly a normal working day.”

One member of parliament, Demir, believes the smartphone ban is simply “common sense,” but the debate continues about whether students truly benefit from disconnecting. As schools grapple with these new realities, the final days of the academic year are shaping up to be anything but ordinary.

According to Demir, it is “just common sense,” but are students really better off without a mobile phone?

Navigating the End of Term: Ark 123 Primary School Adapts to June 30th Last Day

The recent decision by Flemish Education Minister Zuhal Demir to maintain June 30th as the official last school day, despite it falling on a Monday, has sparked discussion across the region. While the decision aims to address pressing concerns like declining school performance and teacher shortages, it has presented new challenges for schools and families alike.

Finding a Creative Solution

Martine Foulon, Director of Ark 123 Primary School in Leuven, acknowledges the complexities of this decision. “Every day in the classroom is crucial for students’ development,” she explains. “While the decision was surprising, I understand the rationale behind prioritizing instructional time.”

To navigate this situation, Ark 123 has adopted a creative approach. “We’ve decided to move our annual pedagogical study day to June 30th,” Foulon shares. “This is a day we already planned for the next school year, but by shifting it, we can address both educational needs and provide flexibility for families.” The school council has responded positively to this proposal, recognizing its practicality for all involved.

Flemish schools embrace Flexibility

Simultaneously occurring,many Flemish schools,including Ark 123,have received requests from parents eager to take advantage of cheaper travel options available during the weekend preceding the original last day. In response, a growing number of schools have opted to move their last day to Friday, june 28th. Foulon views this as a positive step: “By moving the last day to Friday,schools are accommodating these needs while still ensuring teachers can fulfill their responsibilities.”

Parent Feedback Shapes School Decisions

Foulon highlights the importance of parent feedback in informing school decisions. “We’ve received a lot of feedback from parents planning trips that weekend. Travel plans are impacted,and schools are working to find solutions that benefit both students and families.”

Belgium Schools Embrace Flexible Schedules for End-of-Year Transition

As the academic year draws to a close, Belgian schools are finding innovative ways to balance the needs of students, educators, and families. One key debate centers around the last day of school, with some schools opting for a Friday finish instead of the customary Monday.

Prioritizing Smooth Transitions and Family Time

Martine Foulon, a representative from Ark 123 school in Belgium, explains that moving the last day to Friday allows for a more meaningful farewell to students while acknowledging that many families take advantage of cheaper travel options during the off-season.

“If we knew many students would be absent on Monday,” she notes, “organizing a special activity on that day would be impractical. Moving the last day to Friday allows us to say goodbye to students in a meaningful way.”

Teacher Development and Planning Days

While students may enjoy an extended weekend, teachers will still utilize June 30th for essential tasks. Foulon clarifies, “Teachers will still attend school on June 30th to participate in pedagogical discussions and finalize administrative tasks for the end of the school year. While students may have an extended weekend, teachers will use that day for professional development and planning.”

Embracing the Trend of Flexible School Schedules

Foulon views the broader trend of schools implementing study days or flexible schedules as positive. “Schools need to be proactive and flexible to meet the evolving needs of both educators and families. By introducing study days or adjusting schedules, we’re prioritizing collaboration and ensuring a smoother transition to the summer break. This approach benefits everyone involved and sets precedent for future planning,” she states.

> “It’s all about adapting to the needs of our community while maintaining our commitment to education.”

The flexible approach to the end of the school year demonstrates a commitment to finding solutions that work for everyone in the educational community.

How does the school ensure that the June 30th study day balances instructional time with the practical realities of family schedules?

S solution, recognizing the importance of balancing instructional time with the practical realities of family schedules.

Addressing Parent Concerns

Foulon also highlights the proactive steps taken to address parent concerns. “We’ve communicated clearly with families about the change and provided options for childcare on June 30th,” she says. “Our goal is to ensure that parents feel supported while maintaining the integrity of the school year.” The school has partnered with local organizations to offer extended care services, ensuring that children have a safe and engaging environment even on the last day of school.

Teacher Collaboration and Planning

For teachers, the shift to a study day on June 30th provides an possibility for collaboration and planning.”This day will allow our staff to reflect on the past year,share best practices,and prepare for the upcoming school year,” Foulon explains.”Its a valuable use of time that benefits both educators and students in the long run.”

Looking Ahead: A New Normal for End-of-Year Planning

As schools across Belgium adapt to the challenges posed by the June 30th last day, a new normal is emerging. Schools are finding creative ways to balance instructional time, family needs, and teacher planning. while the decision has sparked debate, it has also highlighted the resilience and adaptability of the education community.

Foulon remains optimistic about the future. “Change is never easy, but it often leads to innovation,” she says. “By working together—schools, families, and policymakers—we can create solutions that benefit everyone.” As the academic year comes to a close, the lessons learned from this experience will undoubtedly shape end-of-year planning for years to come.

Educational institutions are making efforts to accommodate parent needs during the summer break.