Winston-Salem, NC.- Monday, August 12, marked the first day of school for 81 Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District (WS/FCS) schools, well ahead of other districts across North Carolina.
This early return is because in March 2023, the district voted to start classes two weeks earlier than required by state law.
Of the district’s more than 50,000 students, only 300 were absent due to pre-planned vacations. These students will not be marked absent because they had prior approval.
(Foto crédito: Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools)
“The moment they show up for school is when they start counting as students.“said Tricia McManus, WS/FCS Superintendent of Schools.
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The district said the earlier start allows students to complete winter exams before the break.
For families whose summer plans overlapped with the school calendar, the district worked with them, although students will have to catch up.
“The first week of school, the first two weeks of school, set the tone and expectations. So the staff will do more orientations and things with students who are late.“McManus said.
Previously, the state has not penalized districts that start the school year early.
This year, 29 school districts are starting early, including Surry County and the City of Lexington, which also started on Monday, Aug. 12.
