Proposed APS Calendar Policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would jump for joy if APS did more of a spring, fall, winter and then summer break with just federal holidays off. The amount of other holidays they are off is so disruptive. And, we are a family that technically celebrates one of the "other" religious holidays. We use to just pull our kiddos out if we wanted to, otherwise, they stayed in school.

I hope you send in a comment. Have heard from other parents that all of these days off are equally disruptive for their children and they really just want to have excused absences and no tests/due date and make sure those expectations are enforced.

\

The amount of days off and holidays outpaces any other working profession. No working parent can reasonably match the days that require care.

Exactly - there are more days off during the school year than I get in holidays and paid time off (where sick leave and vacation time are combined). Even if I used up ALL of my annual leave, I STILL wouldn't have enough to cover all of the days off that students have during the school year, let alone summer break. Also hope that no one gets sick because that means I would have even less leave available for school year childcare during scheduled closings. And I'm lucky -- I actually GET paid leave.

So you pay for alternate child care. There are always camps for all these days off. If you don't make enough money to pay for these things, time to re-evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of both parents working and the rest of your budget.

And what about single-parent households?

Have children with a person who can offer financial support once they've procreated.

This type of stuff is not the school district's responsibility. They are a public good to educate your children and that's it. Everything in life is not for someone else to solve for you.

Guess you are not for equity.

Equity is at the bottom of my list. If on it at all

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would jump for joy if APS did more of a spring, fall, winter and then summer break with just federal holidays off. The amount of other holidays they are off is so disruptive. And, we are a family that technically celebrates one of the "other" religious holidays. We use to just pull our kiddos out if we wanted to, otherwise, they stayed in school.

I hope you send in a comment. Have heard from other parents that all of these days off are equally disruptive for their children and they really just want to have excused absences and no tests/due date and make sure those expectations are enforced.

\

The amount of days off and holidays outpaces any other working profession. No working parent can reasonably match the days that require care.

Exactly - there are more days off during the school year than I get in holidays and paid time off (where sick leave and vacation time are combined). Even if I used up ALL of my annual leave, I STILL wouldn't have enough to cover all of the days off that students have during the school year, let alone summer break. Also hope that no one gets sick because that means I would have even less leave available for school year childcare during scheduled closings. And I'm lucky -- I actually GET paid leave.

So you pay for alternate child care. There are always camps for all these days off. If you don't make enough money to pay for these things, time to re-evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of both parents working and the rest of your budget.

Cool story. Why is ok to tell APS parents “figure it out or quit your job”, but APS can’t say the same to its own employees?

Because adequate staffing is an operational need for the school system. YOUR childcare issues are YOUR problem.

If the FCPS calendar causes childcare issues for APS teacher who live there, that is THEIR problem. Literally. Because they can actually vote in FCPS elections and I can’t. And whatever childcare issues the calendar imposed on them are being shared by all of the other working families of FFX county. So rather than acting superior like your problems are special and other people with the EXACT SAME problem are not, you could show some solidarity and work to make a better schedule for everyone.

But no. Instead you’re making a special claim that everyone else has to live with FCPS’ bad decision making, rather than putting the onus on people who could actually do something about it.

I don't think FCPS calendar = bad decision making. That's your opinion, PP, not a fact.

And whatever issues this calendar caused for YOU are a YOU problem. Your convenience is not what matters here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would jump for joy if APS did more of a spring, fall, winter and then summer break with just federal holidays off. The amount of other holidays they are off is so disruptive. And, we are a family that technically celebrates one of the "other" religious holidays. We use to just pull our kiddos out if we wanted to, otherwise, they stayed in school.

I hope you send in a comment. Have heard from other parents that all of these days off are equally disruptive for their children and they really just want to have excused absences and no tests/due date and make sure those expectations are enforced.

\

The amount of days off and holidays outpaces any other working profession. No working parent can reasonably match the days that require care.

Exactly - there are more days off during the school year than I get in holidays and paid time off (where sick leave and vacation time are combined). Even if I used up ALL of my annual leave, I STILL wouldn't have enough to cover all of the days off that students have during the school year, let alone summer break. Also hope that no one gets sick because that means I would have even less leave available for school year childcare during scheduled closings. And I'm lucky -- I actually GET paid leave.

So you pay for alternate child care. There are always camps for all these days off. If you don't make enough money to pay for these things, time to re-evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of both parents working and the rest of your budget.

Cool story. Why is ok to tell APS parents “figure it out or quit your job”, but APS can’t say the same to its own employees?

Because adequate staffing is an operational need for the school system. YOUR childcare issues are YOUR problem.

Absolutely astonishing that PP needed this explained to them.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would jump for joy if APS did more of a spring, fall, winter and then summer break with just federal holidays off. The amount of other holidays they are off is so disruptive. And, we are a family that technically celebrates one of the "other" religious holidays. We use to just pull our kiddos out if we wanted to, otherwise, they stayed in school.

I hope you send in a comment. Have heard from other parents that all of these days off are equally disruptive for their children and they really just want to have excused absences and no tests/due date and make sure those expectations are enforced.

\

The amount of days off and holidays outpaces any other working profession. No working parent can reasonably match the days that require care.

Exactly - there are more days off during the school year than I get in holidays and paid time off (where sick leave and vacation time are combined). Even if I used up ALL of my annual leave, I STILL wouldn't have enough to cover all of the days off that students have during the school year, let alone summer break. Also hope that no one gets sick because that means I would have even less leave available for school year childcare during scheduled closings. And I'm lucky -- I actually GET paid leave.

So you pay for alternate child care. There are always camps for all these days off. If you don't make enough money to pay for these things, time to re-evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of both parents working and the rest of your budget.

And what about single-parent households?

Have children with a person who can offer financial support once they've procreated.

This type of stuff is not the school district's responsibility. They are a public good to educate your children and that's it. Everything in life is not for someone else to solve for you.

Guess you are not for equity.

Equity goes in a lot of different directions here. Your preferred (more convenient for you) calendar does not mean it's more equitable for others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would jump for joy if APS did more of a spring, fall, winter and then summer break with just federal holidays off. The amount of other holidays they are off is so disruptive. And, we are a family that technically celebrates one of the "other" religious holidays. We use to just pull our kiddos out if we wanted to, otherwise, they stayed in school.

I hope you send in a comment. Have heard from other parents that all of these days off are equally disruptive for their children and they really just want to have excused absences and no tests/due date and make sure those expectations are enforced.

\

The amount of days off and holidays outpaces any other working profession. No working parent can reasonably match the days that require care.

Exactly - there are more days off during the school year than I get in holidays and paid time off (where sick leave and vacation time are combined). Even if I used up ALL of my annual leave, I STILL wouldn't have enough to cover all of the days off that students have during the school year, let alone summer break. Also hope that no one gets sick because that means I would have even less leave available for school year childcare during scheduled closings. And I'm lucky -- I actually GET paid leave.

So you pay for alternate child care. There are always camps for all these days off. If you don't make enough money to pay for these things, time to re-evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of both parents working and the rest of your budget.

Cool story. Why is ok to tell APS parents “figure it out or quit your job”, but APS can’t say the same to its own employees?

Because adequate staffing is an operational need for the school system. YOUR childcare issues are YOUR problem.

If the FCPS calendar causes childcare issues for APS teacher who live there, that is THEIR problem. Literally. Because they can actually vote in FCPS elections and I can’t. And whatever childcare issues the calendar imposed on them are being shared by all of the other working families of FFX county. So rather than acting superior like your problems are special and other people with the EXACT SAME problem are not, you could show some solidarity and work to make a better schedule for everyone.

But no. Instead you’re making a special claim that everyone else has to live with FCPS’ bad decision making, rather than putting the onus on people who could actually do something about it.

Are you completely unaware of the teacher shortages? the sub shortages?

Teacher issues are not THEIR problem, they are OUR problem. Our kids suffer when teachers call in sick, especially when there are no subs, or when they quit to go work in Fairfax where they live, because then they are on the same calendar as their kids and have a shorter commute. And don't have to deal with entitled Arlington parents who don't care about teachers' needs. We saw a lot of this during the pandemic too. I'm betting the same people who complained about teachers then don't care about them now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would jump for joy if APS did more of a spring, fall, winter and then summer break with just federal holidays off. The amount of other holidays they are off is so disruptive. And, we are a family that technically celebrates one of the "other" religious holidays. We use to just pull our kiddos out if we wanted to, otherwise, they stayed in school.

I hope you send in a comment. Have heard from other parents that all of these days off are equally disruptive for their children and they really just want to have excused absences and no tests/due date and make sure those expectations are enforced.

\

The amount of days off and holidays outpaces any other working profession. No working parent can reasonably match the days that require care.

Exactly - there are more days off during the school year than I get in holidays and paid time off (where sick leave and vacation time are combined). Even if I used up ALL of my annual leave, I STILL wouldn't have enough to cover all of the days off that students have during the school year, let alone summer break. Also hope that no one gets sick because that means I would have even less leave available for school year childcare during scheduled closings. And I'm lucky -- I actually GET paid leave.

So you pay for alternate child care. There are always camps for all these days off. If you don't make enough money to pay for these things, time to re-evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of both parents working and the rest of your budget.

Cool story. Why is ok to tell APS parents “figure it out or quit your job”, but APS can’t say the same to its own employees?

Because adequate staffing is an operational need for the school system. YOUR childcare issues are YOUR problem.

If the FCPS calendar causes childcare issues for APS teacher who live there, that is THEIR problem. Literally. Because they can actually vote in FCPS elections and I can’t. And whatever childcare issues the calendar imposed on them are being shared by all of the other working families of FFX county. So rather than acting superior like your problems are special and other people with the EXACT SAME problem are not, you could show some solidarity and work to make a better schedule for everyone.

But no. Instead you’re making a special claim that everyone else has to live with FCPS’ bad decision making, rather than putting the onus on people who could actually do something about it.

Are you completely unaware of the teacher shortages? the sub shortages?

Teacher issues are not THEIR problem, they are OUR problem. Our kids suffer when teachers call in sick, especially when there are no subs, or when they quit to go work in Fairfax where they live, because then they are on the same calendar as their kids and have a shorter commute. And don't have to deal with entitled Arlington parents who don't care about teachers' needs. We saw a lot of this during the pandemic too. I'm betting the same people who complained about teachers then don't care about them now.

Ok so it seems clear that someone in this thread is either an APS teacher or is channeling their own caricatured version of one. I’m sure very few APS teachers think this way because it’s so comical when it’s all laid out.

APS parent: this proposed calendar would create unnecessary childcare burdens and has so many random days off it’s disruptive to student learning.

APS teacher: Any other calendar would create unnecessary childcare burdens on me and I might quit if I’m not accommodated.

APS parent: i can’t change other districts’ calendars, as I am not a resident. Surely parents in those other districts are facing the same issue. Maybe you could join your voice with theirs?

APS teacher: I’m not going to raise my voice to help all of the other working parents in my home district by getting my home school district to fix its calendar. Parents who are not able to meet the childcare burdens imposed by this calendar should just quit their jobs. Except me. I should be accommodated by my employer and every other APS parent. Oh and if you disagree you’re entitled.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, APS teacher here with FCPS kids. This is my second reply to this forum. My survey answers in the FCPS calendar survey were private and anonymous. You didn’t get to see them and you have no idea what my spouse and I or any other parent or teacher advocated for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would jump for joy if APS did more of a spring, fall, winter and then summer break with just federal holidays off. The amount of other holidays they are off is so disruptive. And, we are a family that technically celebrates one of the "other" religious holidays. We use to just pull our kiddos out if we wanted to, otherwise, they stayed in school.

I hope you send in a comment. Have heard from other parents that all of these days off are equally disruptive for their children and they really just want to have excused absences and no tests/due date and make sure those expectations are enforced.

\

The amount of days off and holidays outpaces any other working profession. No working parent can reasonably match the days that require care.

Exactly - there are more days off during the school year than I get in holidays and paid time off (where sick leave and vacation time are combined). Even if I used up ALL of my annual leave, I STILL wouldn't have enough to cover all of the days off that students have during the school year, let alone summer break. Also hope that no one gets sick because that means I would have even less leave available for school year childcare during scheduled closings. And I'm lucky -- I actually GET paid leave.

So you pay for alternate child care. There are always camps for all these days off. If you don't make enough money to pay for these things, time to re-evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of both parents working and the rest of your budget.

Cool story. Why is ok to tell APS parents “figure it out or quit your job”, but APS can’t say the same to its own employees?

Because adequate staffing is an operational need for the school system. YOUR childcare issues are YOUR problem.

If the FCPS calendar causes childcare issues for APS teacher who live there, that is THEIR problem. Literally. Because they can actually vote in FCPS elections and I can’t. And whatever childcare issues the calendar imposed on them are being shared by all of the other working families of FFX county. So rather than acting superior like your problems are special and other people with the EXACT SAME problem are not, you could show some solidarity and work to make a better schedule for everyone.

But no. Instead you’re making a special claim that everyone else has to live with FCPS’ bad decision making, rather than putting the onus on people who could actually do something about it.

Are you completely unaware of the teacher shortages? the sub shortages?

Teacher issues are not THEIR problem, they are OUR problem. Our kids suffer when teachers call in sick, especially when there are no subs, or when they quit to go work in Fairfax where they live, because then they are on the same calendar as their kids and have a shorter commute. And don't have to deal with entitled Arlington parents who don't care about teachers' needs. We saw a lot of this during the pandemic too. I'm betting the same people who complained about teachers then don't care about them now.

Ok so it seems clear that someone in this thread is either an APS teacher or is channeling their own caricatured version of one. I’m sure very few APS teachers think this way because it’s so comical when it’s all laid out.

APS parent: this proposed calendar would create unnecessary childcare burdens and has so many random days off it’s disruptive to student learning.

APS teacher: Any other calendar would create unnecessary childcare burdens on me and I might quit if I’m not accommodated.

APS parent: i can’t change other districts’ calendars, as I am not a resident. Surely parents in those other districts are facing the same issue. Maybe you could join your voice with theirs?

APS teacher: I’m not going to raise my voice to help all of the other working parents in my home district by getting my home school district to fix its calendar. Parents who are not able to meet the childcare burdens imposed by this calendar should just quit their jobs. Except me. I should be accommodated by my employer and every other APS parent. Oh and if you disagree you’re entitled.

Nice meltdown

[Anonymous]

Why can't kids go to school on Veterans day? That seems like the lowest hanging fruit. I never had veterans day off at my public school growing up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We would jump for joy if APS did more of a spring, fall, winter and then summer break with just federal holidays off. The amount of other holidays they are off is so disruptive. And, we are a family that technically celebrates one of the "other" religious holidays. We use to just pull our kiddos out if we wanted to, otherwise, they stayed in school.

I hope you send in a comment. Have heard from other parents that all of these days off are equally disruptive for their children and they really just want to have excused absences and no tests/due date and make sure those expectations are enforced.

\

The amount of days off and holidays outpaces any other working profession. No working parent can reasonably match the days that require care.

Exactly - there are more days off during the school year than I get in holidays and paid time off (where sick leave and vacation time are combined). Even if I used up ALL of my annual leave, I STILL wouldn't have enough to cover all of the days off that students have during the school year, let alone summer break. Also hope that no one gets sick because that means I would have even less leave available for school year childcare during scheduled closings. And I'm lucky -- I actually GET paid leave.

So you pay for alternate child care. There are always camps for all these days off. If you don't make enough money to pay for these things, time to re-evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of both parents working and the rest of your budget.

Cool story. Why is ok to tell APS parents “figure it out or quit your job”, but APS can’t say the same to its own employees?

Because adequate staffing is an operational need for the school system. YOUR childcare issues are YOUR problem.

If the FCPS calendar causes childcare issues for APS teacher who live there, that is THEIR problem. Literally. Because they can actually vote in FCPS elections and I can’t. And whatever childcare issues the calendar imposed on them are being shared by all of the other working families of FFX county. So rather than acting superior like your problems are special and other people with the EXACT SAME problem are not, you could show some solidarity and work to make a better schedule for everyone.

But no. Instead you’re making a special claim that everyone else has to live with FCPS’ bad decision making, rather than putting the onus on people who could actually do something about it.

Are you completely unaware of the teacher shortages? the sub shortages?

Teacher issues are not THEIR problem, they are OUR problem. Our kids suffer when teachers call in sick, especially when there are no subs, or when they quit to go work in Fairfax where they live, because then they are on the same calendar as their kids and have a shorter commute. And don't have to deal with entitled Arlington parents who don't care about teachers' needs. We saw a lot of this during the pandemic too. I'm betting the same people who complained about teachers then don't care about them now.

Ok so it seems clear that someone in this thread is either an APS teacher or is channeling their own caricatured version of one. I’m sure very few APS teachers think this way because it’s so comical when it’s all laid out.

APS parent: this proposed calendar would create unnecessary childcare burdens and has so many random days off it’s disruptive to student learning.

APS teacher: Any other calendar would create unnecessary childcare burdens on me and I might quit if I’m not accommodated.

APS parent: i can’t change other districts’ calendars, as I am not a resident. Surely parents in those other districts are facing the same issue. Maybe you could join your voice with theirs?

APS teacher: I’m not going to raise my voice to help all of the other working parents in my home district by getting my home school district to fix its calendar. Parents who are not able to meet the childcare burdens imposed by this calendar should just quit their jobs. Except me. I should be accommodated by my employer and every other APS parent. Oh and if you disagree you’re entitled.

This is why we are losing teachers. Nice job, dckhead.

[Anonymous]

Personal opinion by an ES teacher: all the days off for holidays, prep days, and PL days make school life inconsistent for students. Kids often ask "do we have school tomorrow?" because even they are aware of the erratic calendar. I like the idea of honoring state, federal holidays and diverse religious holidays, but it is too much.

If I ruled the world, we would find a way to schedule prep days next to holidays so that students can have just one long weekend a quarter, plus winter and spring break, and we would scrap PL altogether for the time being.

[Anonymous]

Personal opinion by administrator: you are 100% correct. Kids thrive on consistent routines, predictability, and clear expectations. The mesage that school happens every day, with a regular schedule gets confusing when you’re trying to get them into a rhythm.

[Anonymous]

I miss early release Wednesdays. What if we brought that back - or moved that to Fridays. And let extended day watch kids until normal end time.

[Anonymous]

^ then teachers would have a couple hours built-in every week.

[Anonymous]

No religious holidays. Federal holidays only. Why is it so hard to understand it?

If teachers worked in some other workplace and were not teachers, that is what they would get - Federal holidays. They could use their leave days for religious holidays.