Hi everyone, Chris Schmiedeke here with your August installment of the Texas Standard Possession Order (SPO) series. August can be a little tricky, because school start dates vary depending on your district. For this breakdown, I’ve used the Richardson Independent School District (RISD) calendar, which shows the first day of school as August 12, 2025.
Of course, you’ll want to check your own school’s calendar, because the exact dates may be different for you. With that in mind, let’s walk through what August looks like under the Texas SPO (for parents living within 100 miles of each other).
Thursdays Resume After School Starts
During the summer, there are no Thursday visits because Thursdays are only included during the regular school term.
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In RISD, school starts on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
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That means the first Thursday visit will be August 14, 2025.
👉 To apply this to your situation, find out when your child’s school starts, then circle the first Thursday after that date. That’s when Thursday visitation begins again.
Weekend Possession in August
Weekends in August follow the regular SPO rotation. This month includes first, third, and fifth Fridays, so here’s how it plays out:
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Non-custodial parent weekends: August 1, August 15, and August 29
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Custodial parent weekends: August 8 and August 22
Because August 29 is the fifth Friday, and September 5 is the first Friday of the next month, this creates a back-to-back weekend situation for the non-custodial parent. In other words, you’ll have possession two weekends in a row.
Labor Day Holiday Extension
Labor Day falls on Monday, September 1, 2025—right after the non-custodial parent’s fifth Friday weekend.
Under the SPO, if a holiday falls on or immediately after your regular weekend, the weekend is extended by the holiday. This means:
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Instead of returning the child on Sunday at 6 p.m., the non-custodial parent will return the child on Monday, September 1 at 6 p.m.
This “extended by a holiday” rule can also apply on the front end (for holidays that fall on a Friday), but for holidays like Labor Day or Memorial Day, it’s typically an extension on Monday.
Key Takeaways for August 2025
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Check your school’s calendar to confirm when school starts. That determines when Thursday visits resume.
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August includes first, third, and fifth Fridays, giving the non-custodial parent three weekends.
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A back-to-back weekend situation occurs at the end of August and beginning of September.
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Labor Day extends the weekend for the non-custodial parent, with pickup ending Monday instead of Sunday.
August can feel busy with the transition back to school and overlapping schedules, but once you map out the Thursdays, weekends, and holidays, it falls into place.
I’ll be back in September to walk through the next month of the Texas Standard Possession Order.
👉 If you have questions about your Texas Standard Possession Order, or if you’re considering a modification as school routines shift, the Law Office of Chris Schmiedeke can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.