APS calendar options are here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish and very much appreciate having Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off but giving time off for Passover is crazy. Kids can totally go to school and still celebrate Passover!!


In terms of "where does it end?", The same holidays have been off for several years now, seems like there is no need to add more or take some away, unless demographics change dramatically.

For those who don't celebrate, this seems like a good chance to talk to your kids about being respectful of different religions and making reasonable accommodations (ex not serving pork when a Muslim friend comes over).

You can be respectful of different religions without contorting a school calendar to privilege the exercise of them. Excusing the absences and making them no-test days is a reasonable accommodation. Not letting kids get 5 straight days in school for months on end is not reasonable.

Kids love days off. This is about you needing childcare. That's fine, it's a valid need, but let's stop trotting out nobler-sounding needs rather than say "I have ES kids and a full-time job"

Everyone needs days off. Everyone, especially kids, also needs a routine. It’s very hard to get into one and learn subject matter coherently when you have weeks that are broken up at random for months on end. I think the test scores are baring this out, no?

I also have significant concerns about teaching my children that the exercise of religion is to be privileged in public places.

And yes, some of us have to work. There is no nobler thing than putting a roof over your child’s head or putting food on their plates. Not everyone was lucky enough to marry a hedge fund manager so we could choose not to work and be available for childcare every third day. We are debating a calendar option that was created for the sole purpose of allowing APS teachers who live in Fairfax County to not have to worry about childcare. So please, just stop it with the nasty WAHM vs SAHM argument about school being “childcare.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that if you pull your kid out for a religious holiday that APS does not observe, it’s an unexcused absence? Someone over on AEM is trying to say that. Complaining that her kids won’t get off for the holiday so will now take an unexcused absence.

She’s complaining about Diwali. Which is on a Sunday and is excused. But she is also a known loon. So I’m assuming that is the issue

Now someone is also complaining in MONA that there’s no time off for Passover in the calendar. And that because the other Jewish holidays fall on a weekend there should be “extra days off” to allow celebration of them “in the spirit of inclusivity.” And I’ve seen complaints on social media about the Lunar New Year not being included.

I mean where does this end? Instead of creating stability for families in the schedule and making sure children are receiving a consistent education, the goal of APS is now to … accommodate every religious and cultural belief system that has ever existed?

I fear the toothpaste is out of the tube and we’ll never be able to reclaim the calendar for education. As a non-religious person I find this really frustrating. Why can’t people just find private schools to accommodate their belief systems if it’s truly *that* important to them.

Omg I could not believe the MONA poster. Tempted to respond. We are Jewish and are grateful for the days off for RH/YK when they fall during the week, but there is no reason to have a day off for Passover!!!!

[Anonymous]

There are only 4 religious holidays. That isn't the entire reason we have barely had a full week of school so far.

[Anonymous]

Now that kings dominion is going to be open year round, can we do away with the Friday off before Labor Day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish and very much appreciate having Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off but giving time off for Passover is crazy. Kids can totally go to school and still celebrate Passover!!


In terms of "where does it end?", The same holidays have been off for several years now, seems like there is no need to add more or take some away, unless demographics change dramatically.

For those who don't celebrate, this seems like a good chance to talk to your kids about being respectful of different religions and making reasonable accommodations (ex not serving pork when a Muslim friend comes over).

You can be respectful of different religions without contorting a school calendar to privilege the exercise of them. Excusing the absences and making them no-test days is a reasonable accommodation. Not letting kids get 5 straight days in school for months on end is not reasonable.

Kids love days off. This is about you needing childcare. That's fine, it's a valid need, but let's stop trotting out nobler-sounding needs rather than say "I have ES kids and a full-time job"

Everyone needs days off. Everyone, especially kids, also needs a routine. It’s very hard to get into one and learn subject matter coherently when you have weeks that are broken up at random for months on end. I think the test scores are baring this out, no?

I also have significant concerns about teaching my children that the exercise of religion is to be privileged in public places.

And yes, some of us have to work. There is no nobler thing than putting a roof over your child’s head or putting food on their plates. Not everyone was lucky enough to marry a hedge fund manager so we could choose not to work and be available for childcare every third day. We are debating a calendar option that was created for the sole purpose of allowing APS teachers who live in Fairfax County to not have to worry about childcare. So please, just stop it with the nasty WAHM vs SAHM argument about school being “childcare.”

This really seems to be the tail that wags the dog, doesn't it? I live and vote in Arlington on the Arlington Public School System. The APS calendar should be developed with a goal of maximizing learning. If FFX's policy of having tons of days off in the middle of the week is a hardship for the teachers who work there, then perhaps those they should exercise their votes as residents of FFX county to encourage them to adopt a saner policy that isn't unnecessarily burdensome of working parents. After all, those teachers would only be subjected to the same difficulties that all the other working parents in FFX have to deal with, right now. And my employer isn't bending over backwards to accommodate FFX's school schedule, that's for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even if they got rid of the religious holidays, there would still r a lot of random days off, what not start with ending those. No need for veterans day off or Columbus day!!

I agree about Veteran's day- its a midweek disruptive holiday. I can go either way on Columbus day.

It's not even during the week this year!! All three calendars are taking Friday Nov. 10th off!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish and very much appreciate having Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off but giving time off for Passover is crazy. Kids can totally go to school and still celebrate Passover!!


In terms of "where does it end?", The same holidays have been off for several years now, seems like there is no need to add more or take some away, unless demographics change dramatically.

For those who don't celebrate, this seems like a good chance to talk to your kids about being respectful of different religions and making reasonable accommodations (ex not serving pork when a Muslim friend comes over).

You can be respectful of different religions without contorting a school calendar to privilege the exercise of them. Excusing the absences and making them no-test days is a reasonable accommodation. Not letting kids get 5 straight days in school for months on end is not reasonable.

Kids love days off. This is about you needing childcare. That's fine, it's a valid need, but let's stop trotting out nobler-sounding needs rather than say "I have ES kids and a full-time job"

It's a perfectly valid perspective that consistent, 5-day weeks are instructionally ideal. Kids love candy too, but you don't see APS changing the lunch menu.

But let's say you're right and it's all a facade for "childcare." Well, all three calendars plan for 990 instructional hours. No one is arguing for an arrangement that results in a meaningfully larger number of days in school. So it's not about needing childcare, its about when they need it. And I'd say there's wide agreement that's it's easier to plan for a week of childcare over the summer than 2 Mondays, 2 Wednesdays, and a Friday over the course of three months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a spring break (6 school days) is followed by a choppy three day week? Ugh. Just stupid.

Option 3 is ok in that regard. Having a 4-day week after a long break is easier than a full week and at least it's 2 consecutive days separated by one day off rather than the obnoxious 1 day on/1 day off/2 days on nonsense that we apparently cannot avoid in November (election day/Veterans day week!)

They could avoid it by not having veterans day off and/or talking to the county about moving polling locations so they aren't in schools. Using schools as polling locations made more sense before it meant schools would have to be closed to accommodate it.

Move parent teacher conferences to Election Day, would be great since many people vote at their local elementary school

You know parent teacher conferences aren’t just for elementary school, right? Also, lots of people’s polling places are not at the school where they have children enrolled.

It’s a bonus not a feature. I wasn’t aware that high school had a day off for conferences too

Only freshmen have conferences. It really doesn't matter - putting them on election day would be fine with me, even though my polling place is not our high school.

In what school do freshmen have conferences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even if they got rid of the religious holidays, there would still r a lot of random days off, what not start with ending those. No need for veterans day off or Columbus day!!

I agree about Veteran's day- its a midweek disruptive holiday. I can go either way on Columbus day.

It's not even during the week this year!! All three calendars are taking Friday Nov. 10th off!!

It is being observed on the 10th next year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a spring break (6 school days) is followed by a choppy three day week? Ugh. Just stupid.

Option 3 is ok in that regard. Having a 4-day week after a long break is easier than a full week and at least it's 2 consecutive days separated by one day off rather than the obnoxious 1 day on/1 day off/2 days on nonsense that we apparently cannot avoid in November (election day/Veterans day week!)

They could avoid it by not having veterans day off and/or talking to the county about moving polling locations so they aren't in schools. Using schools as polling locations made more sense before it meant schools would have to be closed to accommodate it.

Move parent teacher conferences to Election Day, would be great since many people vote at their local elementary school

Ok but I don’t and I am a teacher. My employer should allow me time to vote.

They SHOULD move parent conferences to the day and a half before thanksgiving and not do 2 weeks for Christmas.

To be clear, you’re a teacher who is saying you need Election Day off from school so that you can vote? Come on. You are giving teachers a bad name.

You’re right. They have it too good. I’m sure she’d take it back for the opportunity to use the restroom when needed.

Teachers in Virginia have the same ability as any one else to take advantage of in-person early voting, including weekend in-person voting hours in the weeks leading up the election, or to request an absentee ballot if they expect to be out of the jurisdiction most of the day. I agree that Election Day should be a national holiday, but it’s not necessary in Northern Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish and very much appreciate having Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off but giving time off for Passover is crazy. Kids can totally go to school and still celebrate Passover!!


In terms of "where does it end?", The same holidays have been off for several years now, seems like there is no need to add more or take some away, unless demographics change dramatically.

For those who don't celebrate, this seems like a good chance to talk to your kids about being respectful of different religions and making reasonable accommodations (ex not serving pork when a Muslim friend comes over).

You can be respectful of different religions without contorting a school calendar to privilege the exercise of them. Excusing the absences and making them no-test days is a reasonable accommodation. Not letting kids get 5 straight days in school for months on end is not reasonable.

Kids love days off. This is about you needing childcare. That's fine, it's a valid need, but let's stop trotting out nobler-sounding needs rather than say "I have ES kids and a full-time job"

Everyone needs days off. Everyone, especially kids, also needs a routine. It’s very hard to get into one and learn subject matter coherently when you have weeks that are broken up at random for months on end. I think the test scores are baring this out, no?

I also have significant concerns about teaching my children that the exercise of religion is to be privileged in public places.

And yes, some of us have to work. There is no nobler thing than putting a roof over your child’s head or putting food on their plates. Not everyone was lucky enough to marry a hedge fund manager so we could choose not to work and be available for childcare every third day. We are debating a calendar option that was created for the sole purpose of allowing APS teachers who live in Fairfax County to not have to worry about childcare. So please, just stop it with the nasty WAHM vs SAHM argument about school being “childcare.”

This really seems to be the tail that wags the dog, doesn't it? I live and vote in Arlington on the Arlington Public School System. The APS calendar should be developed with a goal of maximizing learning. If FFX's policy of having tons of days off in the middle of the week is a hardship for the teachers who work there, then perhaps those they should exercise their votes as residents of FFX county to encourage them to adopt a saner policy that isn't unnecessarily burdensome of working parents. After all, those teachers would only be subjected to the same difficulties that all the other working parents in FFX have to deal with, right now. And my employer isn't bending over backwards to accommodate FFX's school schedule, that's for sure.

It it also about no affordable housing in Arlington so many teachers leave in a different county, but it is more about not having subs to cover. I really don’t care if your employer accommodates your schedule nor do I care if APS (my employer) accommodates my kids schedule, but I damn better be able to use the leave I have to cover when I am out to take my kids days off so we can take a trip together just as your employer allows you to do. I am sure many many of you do this. In fact, most of the children in my class traveled last year so I know their parents were able to take off. The issue is we have no subs to cover being sick much less a significant number of teachers taking part of a week off at the same time to take a long weekend when FCPS breaks.

So while you are understanding the correlation between APS and FCPS you are not addressing the actual issue: subs when the schedules don’t align.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So a spring break (6 school days) is followed by a choppy three day week? Ugh. Just stupid.

Option 3 is ok in that regard. Having a 4-day week after a long break is easier than a full week and at least it's 2 consecutive days separated by one day off rather than the obnoxious 1 day on/1 day off/2 days on nonsense that we apparently cannot avoid in November (election day/Veterans day week!)

They could avoid it by not having veterans day off and/or talking to the county about moving polling locations so they aren't in schools. Using schools as polling locations made more sense before it meant schools would have to be closed to accommodate it.

Move parent teacher conferences to Election Day, would be great since many people vote at their local elementary school

Ok but I don’t and I am a teacher. My employer should allow me time to vote.

They SHOULD move parent conferences to the day and a half before thanksgiving and not do 2 weeks for Christmas.

To be clear, you’re a teacher who is saying you need Election Day off from school so that you can vote? Come on. You are giving teachers a bad name.

Polls are open until 7 pm. Don't understand why your employer "should allow" you time to vote?

Many schools have conferences until 8pm to help out working parents (particularly ESOL). But I think Election Day should be a day off for everyone as it would increase voter turnout anyway, and that is a topic for a different forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish and very much appreciate having Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off but giving time off for Passover is crazy. Kids can totally go to school and still celebrate Passover!!


In terms of "where does it end?", The same holidays have been off for several years now, seems like there is no need to add more or take some away, unless demographics change dramatically.

For those who don't celebrate, this seems like a good chance to talk to your kids about being respectful of different religions and making reasonable accommodations (ex not serving pork when a Muslim friend comes over).

You can be respectful of different religions without contorting a school calendar to privilege the exercise of them. Excusing the absences and making them no-test days is a reasonable accommodation. Not letting kids get 5 straight days in school for months on end is not reasonable.

Kids love days off. This is about you needing childcare. That's fine, it's a valid need, but let's stop trotting out nobler-sounding needs rather than say "I have ES kids and a full-time job"

Everyone needs days off. Everyone, especially kids, also needs a routine. It’s very hard to get into one and learn subject matter coherently when you have weeks that are broken up at random for months on end. I think the test scores are baring this out, no?

I also have significant concerns about teaching my children that the exercise of religion is to be privileged in public places.

And yes, some of us have to work. There is no nobler thing than putting a roof over your child’s head or putting food on their plates. Not everyone was lucky enough to marry a hedge fund manager so we could choose not to work and be available for childcare every third day. We are debating a calendar option that was created for the sole purpose of allowing APS teachers who live in Fairfax County to not have to worry about childcare. So please, just stop it with the nasty WAHM vs SAHM argument about school being “childcare.”

This really seems to be the tail that wags the dog, doesn't it? I live and vote in Arlington on the Arlington Public School System. The APS calendar should be developed with a goal of maximizing learning. If FFX's policy of having tons of days off in the middle of the week is a hardship for the teachers who work there, then perhaps those they should exercise their votes as residents of FFX county to encourage them to adopt a saner policy that isn't unnecessarily burdensome of working parents. After all, those teachers would only be subjected to the same difficulties that all the other working parents in FFX have to deal with, right now. And my employer isn't bending over backwards to accommodate FFX's school schedule, that's for sure.

It it also about no affordable housing in Arlington so many teachers leave in a different county, but it is more about not having subs to cover. I really don’t care if your employer accommodates your schedule nor do I care if APS (my employer) accommodates my kids schedule, but I damn better be able to use the leave I have to cover when I am out to take my kids days off so we can take a trip together just as your employer allows you to do. I am sure many many of you do this. In fact, most of the children in my class traveled last year so I know their parents were able to take off. The issue is we have no subs to cover being sick much less a significant number of teachers taking part of a week off at the same time to take a long weekend when FCPS breaks.

So while you are understanding the correlation between APS and FCPS you are not addressing the actual issue: subs when the schedules don’t align.

I understand this, but most employers do NOT accommodate the entire department trying to take off on the same day. It’s first come, first served, or some sort of rotation system. This is the alternative- APS tells some people “no” when they put in for the same day off. You could quit, or you could make like every other professional does and figure it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish and very much appreciate having Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off but giving time off for Passover is crazy. Kids can totally go to school and still celebrate Passover!!


In terms of "where does it end?", The same holidays have been off for several years now, seems like there is no need to add more or take some away, unless demographics change dramatically.

For those who don't celebrate, this seems like a good chance to talk to your kids about being respectful of different religions and making reasonable accommodations (ex not serving pork when a Muslim friend comes over).

You can be respectful of different religions without contorting a school calendar to privilege the exercise of them. Excusing the absences and making them no-test days is a reasonable accommodation. Not letting kids get 5 straight days in school for months on end is not reasonable.

Kids love days off. This is about you needing childcare. That's fine, it's a valid need, but let's stop trotting out nobler-sounding needs rather than say "I have ES kids and a full-time job"

Everyone needs days off. Everyone, especially kids, also needs a routine. It’s very hard to get into one and learn subject matter coherently when you have weeks that are broken up at random for months on end. I think the test scores are baring this out, no?

I also have significant concerns about teaching my children that the exercise of religion is to be privileged in public places.

And yes, some of us have to work. There is no nobler thing than putting a roof over your child’s head or putting food on their plates. Not everyone was lucky enough to marry a hedge fund manager so we could choose not to work and be available for childcare every third day. We are debating a calendar option that was created for the sole purpose of allowing APS teachers who live in Fairfax County to not have to worry about childcare. So please, just stop it with the nasty WAHM vs SAHM argument about school being “childcare.”

This really seems to be the tail that wags the dog, doesn't it? I live and vote in Arlington on the Arlington Public School System. The APS calendar should be developed with a goal of maximizing learning. If FFX's policy of having tons of days off in the middle of the week is a hardship for the teachers who work there, then perhaps those they should exercise their votes as residents of FFX county to encourage them to adopt a saner policy that isn't unnecessarily burdensome of working parents. After all, those teachers would only be subjected to the same difficulties that all the other working parents in FFX have to deal with, right now. And my employer isn't bending over backwards to accommodate FFX's school schedule, that's for sure.

It it also about no affordable housing in Arlington so many teachers leave in a different county, but it is more about not having subs to cover. I really don’t care if your employer accommodates your schedule nor do I care if APS (my employer) accommodates my kids schedule, but I damn better be able to use the leave I have to cover when I am out to take my kids days off so we can take a trip together just as your employer allows you to do. I am sure many many of you do this. In fact, most of the children in my class traveled last year so I know their parents were able to take off. The issue is we have no subs to cover being sick much less a significant number of teachers taking part of a week off at the same time to take a long weekend when FCPS breaks.

So while you are understanding the correlation between APS and FCPS you are not addressing the actual issue: subs when the schedules don’t align.

I understand this, but most employers do NOT accommodate the entire department trying to take off on the same day. It’s first come, first served, or some sort of rotation system. This is the alternative- APS tells some people “no” when they put in for the same day off. You could quit, or you could make like every other professional does and figure it out.

\

Sure. I’ll quit.

They are figuring it out, you just aren’t happy with the answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish and very much appreciate having Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off but giving time off for Passover is crazy. Kids can totally go to school and still celebrate Passover!!


In terms of "where does it end?", The same holidays have been off for several years now, seems like there is no need to add more or take some away, unless demographics change dramatically.

For those who don't celebrate, this seems like a good chance to talk to your kids about being respectful of different religions and making reasonable accommodations (ex not serving pork when a Muslim friend comes over).

You can be respectful of different religions without contorting a school calendar to privilege the exercise of them. Excusing the absences and making them no-test days is a reasonable accommodation. Not letting kids get 5 straight days in school for months on end is not reasonable.

Kids love days off. This is about you needing childcare. That's fine, it's a valid need, but let's stop trotting out nobler-sounding needs rather than say "I have ES kids and a full-time job"

Everyone needs days off. Everyone, especially kids, also needs a routine. It’s very hard to get into one and learn subject matter coherently when you have weeks that are broken up at random for months on end. I think the test scores are baring this out, no?

I also have significant concerns about teaching my children that the exercise of religion is to be privileged in public places.

And yes, some of us have to work. There is no nobler thing than putting a roof over your child’s head or putting food on their plates. Not everyone was lucky enough to marry a hedge fund manager so we could choose not to work and be available for childcare every third day. We are debating a calendar option that was created for the sole purpose of allowing APS teachers who live in Fairfax County to not have to worry about childcare. So please, just stop it with the nasty WAHM vs SAHM argument about school being “childcare.”

This really seems to be the tail that wags the dog, doesn't it? I live and vote in Arlington on the Arlington Public School System. The APS calendar should be developed with a goal of maximizing learning. If FFX's policy of having tons of days off in the middle of the week is a hardship for the teachers who work there, then perhaps those they should exercise their votes as residents of FFX county to encourage them to adopt a saner policy that isn't unnecessarily burdensome of working parents. After all, those teachers would only be subjected to the same difficulties that all the other working parents in FFX have to deal with, right now. And my employer isn't bending over backwards to accommodate FFX's school schedule, that's for sure.

It it also about no affordable housing in Arlington so many teachers leave in a different county, but it is more about not having subs to cover. I really don’t care if your employer accommodates your schedule nor do I care if APS (my employer) accommodates my kids schedule, but I damn better be able to use the leave I have to cover when I am out to take my kids days off so we can take a trip together just as your employer allows you to do. I am sure many many of you do this. In fact, most of the children in my class traveled last year so I know their parents were able to take off. The issue is we have no subs to cover being sick much less a significant number of teachers taking part of a week off at the same time to take a long weekend when FCPS breaks.

So while you are understanding the correlation between APS and FCPS you are not addressing the actual issue: subs when the schedules don’t align.

I understand this, but most employers do NOT accommodate the entire department trying to take off on the same day. It’s first come, first served, or some sort of rotation system. This is the alternative- APS tells some people “no” when they put in for the same day off. You could quit, or you could make like every other professional does and figure it out.

\

Sure. I’ll quit.

They are figuring it out, you just aren’t happy with the answer.

If you don’t need to work for a living, good for you. I am all for respecting our teachers and compensating them well, but unprofessional stuff like this (I’ll just quit if you try to make me work) makes it really hard to advocate for you. Some of the parents you are taking about give up Thanksgiving or Christmas with their families in order to take spring break off. Might want to think about that.