Back To School in September: Too Late? Just Right?

History teaches us that Labor Day is a bookend for the summer — mornings sleeping in and days in summer camp continue until August ends. But other areas have a different idea of what can be accomplished before Labor Day.

On Monday, back to school photos filled Facebook walls in the South. “I’m crying,” was sometimes found underneath. Others read, “First day of school!” A few times, the message betrayed excitement for a calmer, quieter home.

Some schools in Tennessee had these moments even earlier: Aug. 1. School districts say earlier starts can provide seamless school semesters, getting exams in before Christmas break.

In Virginia, there’s still two more weeks of summer for most students. Meanwhile, D.C. schools have already shucked the Labor Day standard — children head back to school next week.

Virginia and D.C. students will still be found laboring away at school well into June, so a few extra weeks on one end or the other may be an argument over preference.