When will makeup days be announced?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

This was in the email:

Note: students observing Eid al-Fitr (March 19, 20) will receive an excused absence.

Excusing an absence is still putting a penalty on the student to not only learn something that was taught to other children, but not to them, but also to make up work after hours on their own time. Now imagine they have missed other days around it for illness or other health condition.

It is not possible to have the entire school system take off for every single possible holiday that any family in Montgomery County might celebrate.

I do agree, though, that it's a bad look to have off for Diwali, Passover and Lunar New Year but not this. So I think MCPS should have this policy apply to those holidays too.

What solution are you seeking? Do you want to have the days off for Eid al-Fitr and extend the school year?

Any observation of a religious holiday is an excused absence. This has been the case for many years

For holidays like Passover, MCPS isn't being nice, it's out of necessity as there aren't enough subs to cover the teachers who need to take off. It's a major holiday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

This was in the email:

Note: students observing Eid al-Fitr (March 19, 20) will receive an excused absence.

Excusing an absence is still putting a penalty on the student to not only learn something that was taught to other children, but not to them, but also to make up work after hours on their own time. Now imagine they have missed other days around it for illness or other health condition.

It is not possible to have the entire school system take off for every single possible holiday that any family in Montgomery County might celebrate.

I do agree, though, that it's a bad look to have off for Diwali, Passover and Lunar New Year but not this. So I think MCPS should have this policy apply to those holidays too.

What solution are you seeking? Do you want to have the days off for Eid al-Fitr and extend the school year?

Any observation of a religious holiday is an excused absence. This has been the case for many years

For holidays like Passover, MCPS isn't being nice, it's out of necessity as there aren't enough subs to cover the teachers who need to take off. It's a major holiday.

Passover overlaps with Easter and several days of spring break this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

I guess Passover is now a Christian holiday! lol
I agree this is unfair but Maryland law is to blame. MCPS are forced to add 4 school days and don't want to use the February days despite being allowed to do so. They could have done Feb 16, 17, April 15 but are too stubborn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

I guess Passover is now a Christian holiday! lol
I agree this is unfair but Maryland law is to blame. MCPS are forced to add 4 school days and don't want to use the February days despite being allowed to do so. They could have done Feb 16, 17, April 15 but are too stubborn.

This is Mcps. You are expecting too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

This was in the email:

Note: students observing Eid al-Fitr (March 19, 20) will receive an excused absence.

Excusing an absence is still putting a penalty on the student to not only learn something that was taught to other children, but not to them, but also to make up work after hours on their own time. Now imagine they have missed other days around it for illness or other health condition.

It is not possible to have the entire school system take off for every single possible holiday that any family in Montgomery County might celebrate.

I do agree, though, that it's a bad look to have off for Diwali, Passover and Lunar New Year but not this. So I think MCPS should have this policy apply to those holidays too.

What solution are you seeking? Do you want to have the days off for Eid al-Fitr and extend the school year?

Any observation of a religious holiday is an excused absence. This has been the case for many years

For excused absences, it’s the responsibility of the student to make up lost lessons and homework ON THEIR OWN TIME. It also compounds into other days because the student is behind. It’s a straight-up disadvantage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

They can't get the waiver without using all their makeup days. They know this. They are just playing for time so that they have an excuse to add another two half days later in June. It's ridiculous. The last day of school will be June 23, 2026, if there are no more snow days. June 17, 18, 22, and 23 will be half-days.

They don't need to use all of them. They need to use three. Then they can asked for the others to be waived.

They have to use them all, per COMAR: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/maryland/COMAR-13A-02-01-04

They have to use the makeup days they identified AND extend the school year by 3 days. It's an and, not an or.

(a) The local school system developed a calendar which included days to be used to make up days lost. Depending upon past experience, this number could range from 3 to 10 days throughout the State. The local school system calendar shall have identified those potential make-up days which could have been used as student days when calendar modification becomes necessary; that is, make-up days, student vacation days, etc.
(b) The local school system has modified its calendar by scheduling school on the make-up days provided in the original calendar and by extending the school year 3 days beyond the previously scheduled closing date.

Using the make-up days is considered extending the calendar. That's how MSDE has been interpreting this. That's why MCPS was able to get the waiver in 2020.

Wait 2020 you mean the pandemic year? They made all sort of allowances that they have not made since then.

The law and regulations were the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

I guess Passover is now a Christian holiday! lol
I agree this is unfair but Maryland law is to blame. MCPS are forced to add 4 school days and don't want to use the February days despite being allowed to do so. They could have done Feb 16, 17, April 15 but are too stubborn.

Why didn't they include April 15 as a make-up day? It is on the calendar as a make-up day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

I guess Passover is now a Christian holiday! lol
I agree this is unfair but Maryland law is to blame. MCPS are forced to add 4 school days and don't want to use the February days despite being allowed to do so. They could have done Feb 16, 17, April 15 but are too stubborn.

Why didn't they include April 15 as a make-up day? It is on the calendar as a make-up day.

Presumably because they didn't want to lose the grading and planning day at the end of MP3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

This was in the email:

Note: students observing Eid al-Fitr (March 19, 20) will receive an excused absence.

Excusing an absence is still putting a penalty on the student to not only learn something that was taught to other children, but not to them, but also to make up work after hours on their own time. Now imagine they have missed other days around it for illness or other health condition.

It is not possible to have the entire school system take off for every single possible holiday that any family in Montgomery County might celebrate.

I do agree, though, that it's a bad look to have off for Diwali, Passover and Lunar New Year but not this. So I think MCPS should have this policy apply to those holidays too.

What solution are you seeking? Do you want to have the days off for Eid al-Fitr and extend the school year?

Any observation of a religious holiday is an excused absence. This has been the case for many years

For excused absences, it’s the responsibility of the student to make up lost lessons and homework ON THEIR OWN TIME. It also compounds into other days because the student is behind. It’s a straight-up disadvantage.

That's a choice the student/parent has to make. Same as any other time a religious holiday falls on a school day, which happens almost every week of the year.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't make sense to use the February days. They are less than two weeks away. Staff and teachers are people too, and many undoubtedly have plans. Telling people they lose a four day weekend with less than two weeks notice is not logistically feasible. There would be too many call-outs and tons of students would be out too. It's also cruel to up-end plans for a workforce that is already underpaid, and may be scheduling time away during an off-period.

If you even think "bUt TheY gOt a WhoLe WeEk VaCaTiOn TeAchErS aRe sO LaZy!" I will shriek so loud you will head it through your computer screen. Anyone else could have chosen to be a teacher too, and then you'd have the awesome combo of low pay and long hours and some random snow days and summers without teaching, too. I do not teach K-12 FWIW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't make sense to use the February days. They are less than two weeks away. Staff and teachers are people too, and many undoubtedly have plans. Telling people they lose a four day weekend with less than two weeks notice is not logistically feasible. There would be too many call-outs and tons of students would be out too. It's also cruel to up-end plans for a workforce that is already underpaid, and may be scheduling time away during an off-period.

If you even think "bUt TheY gOt a WhoLe WeEk VaCaTiOn TeAchErS aRe sO LaZy!" I will shriek so loud you will head it through your computer screen. Anyone else could have chosen to be a teacher too, and then you'd have the awesome combo of low pay and long hours and some random snow days and summers without teaching, too. I do not teach K-12 FWIW.

Getting teachers to school on that short of notice is just a small piece of the massive logistical puzzle that would be opening schools for make up days with less than 10 days notice. You have to worry about delivery of essential food items for breakfasts and lunches. I'm sure there are other necessary deliveries that would need to be expediated to support schools on those days as well. I don't know what they are but unlike some people on DCUM, I'm not an expert on the daily operations of an entire school district.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

I guess Passover is now a Christian holiday! lol
I agree this is unfair but Maryland law is to blame. MCPS are forced to add 4 school days and don't want to use the February days despite being allowed to do so. They could have done Feb 16, 17, April 15 but are too stubborn.

Why didn't they include April 15 as a make-up day? It is on the calendar as a make-up day.

Presumably because they didn't want to lose the grading and planning day at the end of MP3.

Then why is it designated as a make up day? That's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

Who received this email?

This is unfair. The jews got their holidays, Indians got their diwali, Christians will get their Easter and Passover, they are not even taking away lunar new year!! They came after a muslim holiday?? It is not a good look MCPS!

I guess Passover is now a Christian holiday! lol
I agree this is unfair but Maryland law is to blame. MCPS are forced to add 4 school days and don't want to use the February days despite being allowed to do so. They could have done Feb 16, 17, April 15 but are too stubborn.

Why didn't they include April 15 as a make-up day? It is on the calendar as a make-up day.

They probably hope to do so but need to negotiate with the teachers union. That’s what they meant when they said they needed approvals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From today's e-mail:

"At present, per state law, we need to make up four instructional days. There are two days that we have identified in the calendar that will be changed from non-instructional days to instructional days: March 20th will be a full instructional day. June 18th will be an early release instructional day and the new last day of the school year for students and staff. Other potential make up days are also being considered and some of those days may require additional approvals before being announced - none of those potential days are in February.

Like other localities in Maryland, we will be requesting a waiver from the state of some of the missed instructional days. Pending the outcome of that waiver, we will update our Make-Up plan and share that with you as soon as we know."

They can't get the waiver without using all their makeup days. They know this. They are just playing for time so that they have an excuse to add another two half days later in June. It's ridiculous. The last day of school will be June 23, 2026, if there are no more snow days. June 17, 18, 22, and 23 will be half-days.

No one wants to go later in June except the 12 month employees who work all year.

Then the union should be pressuring MCPS to use the earlier days. The waiver is not coming, as the conditions for approving a waiver are clear - all designated makeup days must have been used.

Summer break, which was already short, is going to be especially short this year.

Our summer break is one week longer than FCPS which has similar numbers of non-instructional days and an appropriate amount of snow days built into the calendar. We need to start earlier in August and avoid this chaos every year over inclement weather.

[Anonymous]

All of you “lets start earlier in August” folks either don’t realize or don’t care that teachers have to report sometimes up to two weeks in advance of students. Sorry but I also have kids I would like to spend time with and take on vacation. I am not doing in-service reporting in late July just so AP kids can have an extra two weeks to prepare for an exam. Call me selfish but it’s no more selfish than you caring about your kids AP score more than everyone else.