D49 Fall Break Starts October 12 — What Families Need to Know This Week

Academy District 49 families have a packed few days before fall break begins. The D49 Board of Education meets tomorrow, October 8. Parent-teacher conferences are Thursday, October 9. And fall break itself — a nearly two-week run — starts Monday, October 12 and runs through Friday, October 23. For Colorado Springs families in D49, now is the time to check in on PTC sign-up windows, review the board meeting agenda, and start thinking about what the next two weeks look like.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: October 9

D49 parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday, October 9 — the last school day before fall break. If you haven't signed up for a conference slot yet, check your school's website, app, or email communications. Many schools open sign-up windows one to two weeks before conferences, and slots can fill quickly, especially for popular early morning or after-school times.

To make the most of a 20-minute conference, it helps to come with specific questions rather than general ones. Instead of "How's my child doing?" try asking about a specific subject area, a social dynamic you've observed at home, or what support looks like outside the classroom. Teachers appreciate specificity and are more likely to have actionable suggestions ready.

D49 Fall Break: October 12–23

D49's fall break runs from Monday, October 12 through Friday, October 23 — eleven school days. That's longer than D11's fall break, which runs October 19-23, and D49's break begins a week earlier. Families with children in both districts should note that their schedules don't overlap perfectly.

Planning the Break

The two weeks starting October 12 are one of the best windows to get outside in Colorado Springs before temperatures drop consistently. Garden of the Gods typically hits peak fall foliage around mid-October, making it an especially rewarding hike or drive. The Cool Science Festival runs through October 18 with free programming at multiple venues across the city. For families with D49 kids, the early part of break overlaps with the festival's final week.

Looking ahead to the weekend before break ends: October 24 brings the Jack-o-Lantern Trail at Palmer Park ($5/person), and October 25 is the Garden of the Gods Trunk-or-Treat (free). Both are covered in today's COS Events roundup.

What's Next

For D49 families: check d49.org for your individual school's PTC sign-up process and confirm fall break dates in your school's calendar. To follow the outcome of the October 8 board meeting, check d49.org or look for coverage in The Gazette and KRDO. For a full calendar of fall and Halloween events happening during and around fall break, see today's COS Parenting events roundup.