New San Francisco school district calendar brings mixed reactions

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco school students are not getting the Presidents Day holiday off like most students. Instead, they're getting a four-day weekend later this week. And that brought some mixed reactions.

It's a sunny Presidents Day holiday. But thousands of San Francisco school kids are spending the day inside the classroom. No three-day weekend because of a new district calendar. It binds the Lunar New Year and Presidents Day holidays together, giving kids two consecutive days off this Thursday and Friday instead.

The school district decided to keep kids in class Monday and give them two days off in a row because they say this would reduce the disruption of learning.

But some parents are not happy.

"It was kind of a bummer for me," said parent Heather Arcega.

Arcega was hoping to spend quality time with her eighth-grade daughter who attends Marina Middle School.

"I don't get a lot of days off," she said. "Usually my work aligns days off with Catholic holidays. So today was the one holiday that I thought my daughter would have off when it would be a three-day weekend for both of us. But it was really a letdown for us."

Other working parents aren't sure who will look after their kids later this week.

"On Friday I have to work but they're going to be at home," said parent Liana Gevorkyan. "And there's no child care for me, so it's a little bit hard."

The district sent out a robocall to remind parents of the change: "Please remember that all SFUSD schools will be open on Monday, Feb. 16."

The decision was made by the San Francisco Unified School District's Calendar Committee.

Muni is also running on a limited schedule, so students should check ahead if taking a bus.