Two Durham school closures are scheduled in October, giving students in both local school boards Thanksgiving off and a second class-free Monday later in the month.
Schools in the Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board will be closed to students on Monday, October 12 for Thanksgiving. Classes will also not run on Monday, October 26, when both boards have scheduled professional learning days.
October 26 is a board-wide learning day
DDSB lists October 26 as a full Provincial Priority Day for teachers and classroom support staff in elementary and secondary schools. The board says the day will focus on student achievement, well-being, school safety, consistent curriculum delivery, individualized programming and cyber safety.
DCDSB identifies the same date as a professional activity day for all elementary and secondary schools. Its approved 2026-27 calendar lists October 26 among nine scheduled PA days.
Students do not attend classes on these professional learning days. Families using school-based programs or transportation should check directly with the responsible provider for any separate operating information.
Thanksgiving falls one week earlier
Both boards list Monday, October 12 as a statutory or scheduled Thanksgiving holiday. That means students will have two consecutive four-day school weeks, with class-free Mondays on October 12 and October 26.
The second date also coincides with Ontario’s municipal election day. The DDSB calendar identifies the professional-learning schedule and the Daily Durham report notes the election-day timing; no separate student attendance is scheduled at either board.
Families should use the official DDSB and DCDSB calendars for any later changes or school-specific information.
