Why the change in School Schedule?

It is my understanding that school will be a full day on the Friday before Christmas this year. The last day has always been a half day and I was wondering why the change this year?

There has been a renewed commitment to teach bell to bell this year, which is important to allow for preparation for new curriculum requirements. According to the Department of Education, the last half day of school was traditionally not well attended. Class parties were generally on the last full day of school. This would take up one and one half days for parties and such, which is a significant amount of instruction time. The new schedule will encourage attendance on the last day of school and parties will be on that day, leaving Thursday for class instruction.