Perkins School Calendar 2024-2025

The Perkins School for the Blind is a private, coeducational day and residential school for children and young adults with visual impairments, ages three to 22, and outreach programs serving infants, toddlers, and families. Founded in 1829 and located in Watertown, Massachusetts, just outside Boston, Perkins is the oldest existing school for the blind in the United States and has a long and distinguished history of providing educational and therapeutic services to students with visual impairments.

The Perkins School Calendar for the 2024-2025 academic year is now available online. The calendar includes important dates such as the start and end of each term, school holidays, and special events. Parents and students are encouraged to review the calendar carefully to plan their schedules accordingly. The calendar is subject to change, so please check back periodically for updates.

In addition to the academic calendar, the Perkins School also offers a variety of summer programs for students with visual impairments. These programs provide opportunities for students to learn new skills, make new friends, and have fun. More information about summer programs is available on the school’s website. Visit www.perkins.org for more information.

Academic Year and Key Dates

Perkins School for the Blind’s academic year typically runs from early September to late June, with a break for winter holidays in December and January. The year is divided into trimesters, with each trimester consisting of approximately 12 weeks of instruction. The school year also includes several key dates, such as the first day of school, parent-teacher conferences, and graduation.

First Day of School

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the first day of school for new students is expected to be Friday, September 6, 2024. Returning students will begin classes on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss the student’s progress and to develop a plan for the upcoming trimester. Conferences are typically held in October and March of each school year.

Graduation

Graduation is a significant milestone for any student. Perkins School for the Blind typically holds its graduation ceremony in early June of each academic year. The ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the students’ accomplishments and to recognize their hard work and dedication.

Key Dates Table

The following table includes key dates for the 2024-2025 academic year:

Date	Event
Friday, September 6, 2024	First day of school for new students
Monday, September 9, 2024	First day of school for returning students
October 2024	Parent-teacher conferences
March 2025	Parent-teacher conferences
Early June 2025	Graduation

Quarter System

Perkins School operates on a quarter system, which consists of four academic quarters. Each quarter is approximately 10 weeks in length, with a one-week break in between quarters. The quarter system allows students to take a variety of courses and explore different areas of study in a relatively short period of time.

Term Schedule

The 2024-2025 academic year will consist of the following terms:

Term	Start Date	End Date
Fall Quarter	August 25, 2024	November 7, 2024
Winter Quarter	November 10, 2024	February 6, 2025
Spring Quarter	February 9, 2025	May 8, 2025
Summer Quarter (optional)	May 12, 2025	August 14, 2025

Students are required to take at least three courses per quarter. Most courses meet three times per week for 50 minutes each. In addition to their coursework, students are also required to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports, and community service.

Religious Holidays Observances

Perkins School observes a variety of religious holidays throughout the academic year. These observances provide students and staff with the opportunity to celebrate their faith traditions and connect with their cultural heritage.

High Holy Days

The Jewish High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are observed with special services and programs. Students may participate in holiday activities such as blowing the shofar, listening to the Torah reading, and sharing traditional foods.

Christian Holidays

Christmas and Easter are celebrated with special chapel services, festive meals, and holiday carols. Students may also participate in holiday plays, concerts, and other festive events.

Islamic Holidays

The Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are observed with special celebrations and prayers. Students may participate in holiday activities such as exchanging gifts, sharing traditional foods, and attending mosque services.

Observances Table

Holiday	Date
Rosh Hashanah	September 25-27, 2024
Yom Kippur	October 4-5, 2024
Christmas	December 25, 2024
Easter	April 13-14, 2025
Eid al-Fitr	May 1-2, 2025
Eid al-Adha	June 30-July 2, 2025

Professional Development Days

Perkins School’s Professional Development Days are dedicated to providing opportunities for educators to enhance their skills and knowledge. These days are designed to support ongoing professional growth and ensure the delivery of exceptional instruction to students.

October 3-4, 2024

Focus: Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices

Educators will delve into the principles and strategies of culturally responsive teaching, enabling them to create inclusive and equitable learning environments that foster student success.

November 25-26, 2024

Focus: Data-Driven Instruction

Participants will explore methods for collecting, analyzing, and utilizing data to personalize instruction and improve student outcomes. They will learn to identify areas for growth and develop targeted interventions.

January 20-21, 2025

Focus: Trauma-Informed Education

Educators will gain insights into the impact of trauma on learning and behavior. They will develop strategies to create safe and supportive classrooms that promote resilience and well-being for all students.

March 10-11, 2025

Focus: Differentiated Instruction

Participants will explore best practices for differentiating instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students. They will learn to design engaging and accessible lessons that cater to a wide range of abilities and interests.

May 19-20, 2025

Focus: Student Assessment

Educators will learn about a variety of assessment techniques and their applications. They will develop skills in using data to monitor student progress and inform instructional decisions.

June 2-3, 2025

Focus: Collaboration and Communication

Participants will explore strategies for building strong collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents, and the community. They will learn to communicate effectively to ensure a comprehensive and supportive learning environment for all.

Professional Development Days Timeline

Date	Focus
October 3-4, 2024	Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices
November 25-26, 2024	Data-Driven Instruction
January 20-21, 2025	Trauma-Informed Education
March 10-11, 2025	Differentiated Instruction
May 19-20, 2025	Student Assessment
June 2-3, 2025	Collaboration and Communication

School Closures and Makeup Days

Perkins School District will release its 2024-2025 academic calendar on or before April 1, 2024. The calendar will include all important dates such as school closures, makeup days, holidays, and extracurricular activities.

Makeup Days

In the event of a school closure due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, Perkins School District will adhere to the following makeup day policy:

If a school is closed for one day, the makeup day will be added to the end of the school year.
If a school is closed for two or more days, the makeup days will be scheduled on days that were previously scheduled as early release days.
If all early release days have been used for makeup days, the makeup days will be scheduled on days that were previously scheduled as professional development days.

Scheduled School Closures

The following dates are currently scheduled as school closures for the 2024-2025 school year:

Date	Reason
Labor Day	September 2, 2024
Thanksgiving Break	November 27-29, 2024
Winter Break	December 23, 2024 – January 2, 2025
Spring Break	March 17-21, 2025
Memorial Day	May 26, 2025

Year-Round Calendar

Perkins School for the Blind follows a year-round calendar, which provides students with the flexibility and support needed to succeed.

Nine-Week Sessions

The year is divided into nine-week sessions, each with a different focus and set of academic objectives. This structure allows students to delve deeply into specific topics and develop mastery over time.

Session	Focus
Session 1	Academic Foundations
Session 2	Literacy and Language Development
Session 3	Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Session 4	Arts, Music, and Movement
Session 5	Social Studies and History
Session 6	Career Exploration and Readiness
Session 7	Independent Living Skills
Session 8	Culminating Projects and Presentations
Session 9	Summer Enrichment and Exploration

Each session includes a balance of core academic instruction, hands-on experiences, and opportunities for growth and development. By dividing the year into smaller, focused sessions, Perkins ensures that students receive the personalized support and attention needed to maximize their potential.