The Broward County Public Schools 2019-2020 calendar outlined instructional days, breaks, and key deadlines for families across the district. This schedule aimed to balance academic continuity with recognized holidays and teacher planning time.
Below you will find a detailed overview of the calendar structure, important dates, and answers to common questions from parents and staff.
| Academic Period | Start Date | End Date | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of School | August 19, 2019 | August 19, 2019 | Students and staff report for a full day of instruction and orientation. |
| Fall Break | October 14, 2019 | October 18, 2019 | No school for students; professional development for staff on October 18. |
| Winter Break | December 23, 2019 | January 3, 2020 | Extended closure for students and most staff across the district. |
| Spring Break | March 16, 2020 | March 20, 2020 | School canceled due to Hurricane Eta and later extended for pandemic response. |
| Last Day of School | May 29, 2020 | May 29, 2020 | Early release for students; staff continue final duties and planning. |
School Start and End Times Adjustments
Throughout the 2019-2020 year, Broward County Public Schools maintained consistent start times for elementary, middle, and high schools. Adjustments were made on early release days and during testing windows to support instructional priorities.
Bus schedules and arrival procedures were aligned with the published calendar to ensure student safety and timely transportation across the district’s vast coverage area.
Instructional Days and Testing Windows
Teachers planned around key state assessments and Advanced Placement examinations embedded in the instructional timeline. The calendar allocated specific weeks for benchmark testing and end-of-course evaluations.
Professional learning communities met regularly on early release afternoons to review student data and refine instructional strategies for the remainder of the school year.
Holiday Recognition and Make-Up Days
The schedule incorporated federal holidays such as Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Snow days and emergency closures were handled through a designated make-up day plan approved by the school board.
Families were notified in advance when additional at-home learning opportunities were assigned to minimize disruption to academic progress during extended closures.
Community Engagement and Calendar Feedback
Stakeholder meetings and online surveys allowed parents, educators, and students to provide input on proposed calendar changes. This participatory process helped shape priorities around instructional time and holiday placement.
Transparency in communication ensured that families could plan vacations, childcare, and extracurricular activities around the official Broward County Public Schools dates.
Key Takeaways for Families and Staff
- School officially began on August 19, 2019, with consistent start and end times across grade levels.
- Major breaks included Fall Break, Winter Break, and an extended Spring Break due to weather and pandemic impacts.
- Instructional days incorporated testing windows and professional learning time for educators.
- Make-up days and remote learning plans ensured continuity after emergency closures.
- Ongoing community feedback played a role in shaping calendar priorities and communication practices.
FAQ
Reader questions
When did the 2019-2020 school year begin for Broward County Public Schools?
Classes started on August 19, 2019, with a full day of instruction for all students.
How was Spring Break affected by weather and the pandemic in 2020?
Spring Break originally scheduled for March 16–20, 2020, was extended due to Hurricane Eta and subsequently prolonged as the district transitioned to remote learning amid the pandemic.
What major breaks were included in the 2019-2020 calendar?
The calendar included Fall Break (October 14–18, 2019), Winter Break (December 23, 2019 to January 3, 2020), and an extended Spring Break period in March 2020.
Were there make-up days for unexpected school closures?
Yes, the district planned for snow days and emergency closures by using designated make-up days and additional at-home learning options as needed.