MSDE isn't actually forcing MCPS to change the calendar next year like this, right?

[Anonymous]

This is what MSDE passed: https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/documents/2026/0324/resolution-26-01-on-school-calendar-planning-and-inclement-weather-make-up-days-a.pdf

Doesn't it just say that it encourages districts to make changes, and if they don't then MSDE won't give them a waiver if there's lots of snow days?

Also, doesn't it say that (in order to qualify for the waiver next year) MSDE is only asking for 6 makeup days if the school district has no virtual instruction plan, but if they do have one they only need 3?

Am I reading this wrong, or is MCPS misrepresenting this to the Board and the public?

[Anonymous]

Technically it’s the school board not MSDE and the issue is that MCPS’ current calendar has makeup days after Juneteenth next year which they’re saying is a no go. The makeup days have to be before that which is why they’re proposing starting earlier so they don’t have to touch the holidays they’ve added over the years

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Technically it’s the school board not MSDE and the issue is that MCPS’ current calendar has makeup days after Juneteenth next year which they’re saying is a no go. The makeup days have to be before that which is why they’re proposing starting earlier so they don’t have to touch the holidays they’ve added over the years

Why even bother marking days as potential makeup days when they know they're not going to touch them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Technically it’s the school board not MSDE and the issue is that MCPS’ current calendar has makeup days after Juneteenth next year which they’re saying is a no go. The makeup days have to be before that which is why they’re proposing starting earlier so they don’t have to touch the holidays they’ve added over the years

Why even bother marking days as potential makeup days when they know they're not going to touch them?

Well that’s the point. MSDE is saying they have to use makeup days if snow occurs next year — they won’t give MCPS a waiver unless it does at least 3 days

[Anonymous]

I would be 100% fine with no religious holidays being non school days if it meant not dealing with this nonsense and having a real summer break. I’d keep my kids home for Christmas and would understand that they would make up the work. If folks want to keep the kids home for Eid, they could do the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Technically it’s the school board not MSDE and the issue is that MCPS’ current calendar has makeup days after Juneteenth next year which they’re saying is a no go. The makeup days have to be before that which is why they’re proposing starting earlier so they don’t have to touch the holidays they’ve added over the years

Right, but since MSDE is only asking for 3 makeup days, they could just delete the additional ones after Juneteenth, right, and still be eligible for an MSDE waiver if needed?

Or they could just keep the calendar as is and the only issue would be that they wouldn't get a waiver next year if there are lots of snow days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Technically it’s the school board not MSDE and the issue is that MCPS’ current calendar has makeup days after Juneteenth next year which they’re saying is a no go. The makeup days have to be before that which is why they’re proposing starting earlier so they don’t have to touch the holidays they’ve added over the years

Right, but since MSDE is only asking for 3 makeup days, they could just delete the additional ones after Juneteenth, right, and still be eligible for an MSDE waiver if needed?

Or they could just keep the calendar as is and the only issue would be that they wouldn't get a waiver next year if there are lots of snow days?

But because the designated makeup days are on religious observances, MCPS is basically admitting it never intended to use them to begin with. We need to push them to keep what they already put in place.

[Anonymous]

If we submitted a virtual plan, then why aren't we just relying on that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be 100% fine with no religious holidays being non school days if it meant not dealing with this nonsense and having a real summer break. I’d keep my kids home for Christmas and would understand that they would make up the work. If folks want to keep the kids home for Eid, they could do the same.

You say this knowing full well that MCPS can't safely operate school on Christmas so only other people's holidays will be affected, not yours

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we submitted a virtual plan, then why aren't we just relying on that?

I believe there are limits on the use of virtual days. School system has to make some.effort to make up in person days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be 100% fine with no religious holidays being non school days if it meant not dealing with this nonsense and having a real summer break. I’d keep my kids home for Christmas and would understand that they would make up the work. If folks want to keep the kids home for Eid, they could do the same.

You say this knowing full well that MCPS can't safely operate school on Christmas so only other people's holidays will be affected, not yours

Not true at all. I'm not the PP but I would be perfectly fine with school happening on Good Friday or Easter Monday, and those are Christian holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be 100% fine with no religious holidays being non school days if it meant not dealing with this nonsense and having a real summer break. I’d keep my kids home for Christmas and would understand that they would make up the work. If folks want to keep the kids home for Eid, they could do the same.

if you feel this way, please respond to the poll that MCPS sent out via email yesterday which includes the option to identify religious holidays as makeup days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be 100% fine with no religious holidays being non school days if it meant not dealing with this nonsense and having a real summer break. I’d keep my kids home for Christmas and would understand that they would make up the work. If folks want to keep the kids home for Eid, they could do the same.

You say this knowing full well that MCPS can't safely operate school on Christmas so only other people's holidays will be affected, not yours

Not true at all. I'm not the PP but I would be perfectly fine with school happening on Good Friday or Easter Monday, and those are Christian holidays.

What do you mean it's not true at all? That PP proposed having school on Christmas. Gmafb

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If we submitted a virtual plan, then why aren't we just relying on that?

I believe there are limits on the use of virtual days. School system has to make some.effort to make up in person days

Yes, they need to have and use 3 make-up days if they have a virtual plan, and then MSDE will waive any days beyond that. MCPS is pretending they need to have 6 make-up days.

[Anonymous]

The state needs to change the antiquated law about Good Friday and Easter Monday.