Below is an overview of Winter Break 2025–2026 procedures, including dates, district office workdays, district, and payroll re-opening schedule, regular business schedule, expectations for school-based staff, guidelines for both 52-week and less-than-52-week employees, LOOP afterschool programming, and security procedures.
Winter Break Dates
All school buildings are closed for winter break December 22, 2025, through January 2, 2026.
District Closed Holiday Dates
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Holiday)
Thursday, December 25, 2025 (Holiday)
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 (Holiday)
Thursday, January 1, 2026 (Holiday)
District Office Workdays
District offices will be open during winter break on December 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 2025 and January 2, 2026, allowing employees the option to work. Department coverage will not be required.
District Office Re-opening Schedule
District offices will re-open on January 2, 2026, between 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for an eight-hour workday with a 30-minute duty free lunch. Employees may request this day off with supervisor approval, in accordance with the regular calendar year.
Payroll Re-opening Schedule
The Payroll Office will also re-open on January 2, 2026, to assist staff with any paycheck issues. You can reach the office at (616) 819-2040.
Regular Business Schedule
Regular business hours for all employees will resume on January 5, 2026.
School-Based Staff Expectation
School-based employees must obtain written pre-authorization from their building principal to enter a school building on December 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 2025, and January 2, 2026.
NOTE: Only designated custodial, maintenance, and administrative employees are authorized to be in school buildings December 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 2025 and January 2, 2026.
Employees Guidelines
52-Week
Unionized, support non-exempt, and exempt employees may use leave time on these dates if permitted under their collective bargaining agreements or employee manual and district closed and holiday guidelines. Employees may also elect to take these days unpaid using the appropriate payroll code.
Less Than 52-Week
Unionized, Support Non-Exempt, and Exempt employees should follow their specific employee group calendar. Only designated holidays are paid during winter break unless otherwise specified in their collective bargaining agreements or employee manual.
LOOP Afterschool Programming
There will be no LOOP programming from December 17, 2025, through January 2, 2026.
Security Procedures
All district buildings will be closed with no access on the following holiday dates: December 24, 25, 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026.
In accordance with district safety and security procedures, no unauthorized employee may enter any building during holiday closures.
If an alarm is triggered, the individual will be responsible for the alarm fee and may face disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
