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Added instruction days signal early school year in Oak Park

Principal Dr. Joann Wright, left, answers questions for parent Leslie Merriweather and daughter Rilee, 5, during a "Back to School" Orientation at Einstein Elementary School in Oak Park, Michigan on August 18, 2016. School begins earlier this year, on August 30,  because of a new Michigan law that adds five instruction days to the calendar.
Principal Dr. Joann Wright, left, answers questions for parent Leslie Merriweather and daughter Rilee, 5, during a "Back to School" Orientation at Einstein Elementary School in Oak Park, Michigan on August 18, 2016. School begins earlier this year, on August 30, because of a new Michigan law that adds five instruction days to the calendar.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Nelson family: Shihata, his son Shihata E. Nelson, 8, Kristal, and Christian, 4, organize paperwork and discuss plans for the coming school year, which begins before Labor Day for Oak Park Public Schools students.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Nelson family: Shihata, his son Shihata E. Nelson, 8, Kristal, and Christian, 4, organize paperwork and discuss plans for the coming school year, which begins before Labor Day for Oak Park Public Schools students.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Shihata Nelson, 8, colors while his parents listen to orientation instructions. Districts must decide how to incorporate the extra instruction days and can opt to extend the year into June, reduce holiday breaks, or obtain a waiver from the state Department of Education, as Oak Park’s district has done, to bypass a 2005 state law preventing public schools from opening before Labor Day.
Shihata Nelson, 8, colors while his parents listen to orientation instructions. Districts must decide how to incorporate the extra instruction days and can opt to extend the year into June, reduce holiday breaks, or obtain a waiver from the state Department of Education, as Oak Park’s district has done, to bypass a 2005 state law preventing public schools from opening before Labor Day.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Teacher Jill Hurwitz enthusiastically greets incoming fourth grader Joseph Gross, 9, left, as he introduces himself to his class' teachers.
Teacher Jill Hurwitz enthusiastically greets incoming fourth grader Joseph Gross, 9, left, as he introduces himself to his class' teachers.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Bernard Marshall walks his daughter Lauren, 4, through the school to help familiarize her with the layout. She will be a kindergartener this year.
Bernard Marshall walks his daughter Lauren, 4, through the school to help familiarize her with the layout. She will be a kindergartener this year.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Kindergarten teacher Charlene Sipe prepares her classroom, organizing bins of books.
Kindergarten teacher Charlene Sipe prepares her classroom, organizing bins of books.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Principal Dr. Joann Wright, left, talks with Keneisha Spencer about back to school info for Spencer's daughter Hailey, 3, Sterling and her son Dajuan Sterling, 9, right, who will be a fifth grader.
Principal Dr. Joann Wright, left, talks with Keneisha Spencer about back to school info for Spencer's daughter Hailey, 3, Sterling and her son Dajuan Sterling, 9, right, who will be a fifth grader.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News
Leslie Merriweather, left, looks over paperwork while daughter Rilee, 5, a kindergartener, picks out a bracelet that says "love to read" from a table of free school supplies.
Leslie Merriweather, left, looks over paperwork while daughter Rilee, 5, a kindergartener, picks out a bracelet that says "love to read" from a table of free school supplies.
Brandy Baker, The Detroit News