I know my catholic MIL gives up soda pop from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. I always thought if you gave something up it was for the whole period. Meat, however, is Ash Wed., Fridays, and Good Friday. I guess in the old days it was every Friday all year long, but I'm methodist so I can't be sure.
As for schools, here in Ohio I don't know of a public school open today. In the district where I work, we always have Good Friday off--usually plus the following week (like this year) but occasionally just the week before Easter. My own kids had last week off, but they are also off today.
Robin M.