Will the school year end?

[Anonymous]

I come from a country where the school year is longer (ends early July), but there are more breaks during the school year.

I also went to school in various other countries with different school calendars.

Whatever the length of the school year, I can GUARANTEE that this is what the last 2 weeks ALWAYS feel like.

It's purely psychological. You see the end, you feel the days getting warmer, and some seniors graduating early, and you're like: "why do I still have to go to school!" Everyone then starts feeling "done"... but really, it's a societal illusion. In my home country, they'll start feeling "done" at the end of June, when there are 2 weeks left and the seniors are done already...

Hang in there, everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t want a longer summer break.

+1. I don't need more weeks to have to schedule camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why the calendars don't make sense. These are days that supposedly count towards the legal requirement but yet everyone knows that everyone is checked out. If FCPS cared about education, this wouldn't be happening. We need to have more full weeks during/before SOLs when actual instruction is happening and have the summer start earlier. No one wants to be in school in June. These days shouldn't and don't count.

Actually, what should happen is whole year schooling - there should be no 2+ months off in the summer, have school be year round and have more breaks throughout the year.

Absolutely not! There’s always one crazy who wants this.

It’s not crazy. It would be wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why the calendars don't make sense. These are days that supposedly count towards the legal requirement but yet everyone knows that everyone is checked out. If FCPS cared about education, this wouldn't be happening. We need to have more full weeks during/before SOLs when actual instruction is happening and have the summer start earlier. No one wants to be in school in June. These days shouldn't and don't count.

Actually, what should happen is whole year schooling - there should be no 2+ months off in the summer, have school be year round and have more breaks throughout the year.

Oh please no.

School should start around August 21st and end at Memorial Day.

4 days at Thanksgiving
2 weeks at Christmas to New Years
1 week spring break tied to the end of 3rd quarter.

Ditch all the other days off and give the kids a real summer vacation.

We should not have kids in school for a full month after SOLs and AP exams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why the calendars don't make sense. These are days that supposedly count towards the legal requirement but yet everyone knows that everyone is checked out. If FCPS cared about education, this wouldn't be happening. We need to have more full weeks during/before SOLs when actual instruction is happening and have the summer start earlier. No one wants to be in school in June. These days shouldn't and don't count.

Actually, what should happen is whole year schooling - there should be no 2+ months off in the summer, have school be year round and have more breaks throughout the year.

No thanks! We love out summers.

You'd still get a month in the summer but longer breaks throughout the year and throw in some more 4 day weeks.

Having the whole summer off it an antiquated vestige of slower times that are now long gone, time to move on and improve the model.

What a horrible idea.

High school kids would not get a summer vacation at all and would miss all the big summer programs as they are scheduled around all the school districts in the country with competent school boards and normal, sensible school year calendars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why we don't get back unused snow days that were built into the calendar. We had 5 days built in. Why don't the move the year-end date up 5 days since they were not used.

We live in Charles County, MD and this is what we did this year. We got back five days. School ends next Thursday! YAY!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why the calendars don't make sense. These are days that supposedly count towards the legal requirement but yet everyone knows that everyone is checked out. If FCPS cared about education, this wouldn't be happening. We need to have more full weeks during/before SOLs when actual instruction is happening and have the summer start earlier. No one wants to be in school in June. These days shouldn't and don't count.

Actually, what should happen is whole year schooling - there should be no 2+ months off in the summer, have school be year round and have more breaks throughout the year.

Do you want to see even more teachers quit? Keep advocating for this. There is no feeling like being done with a school year. It's still hanging over your head during breaks. And no, you can't compare teaching to other jobs that have a year round schedule. I have done both and it's not the same. And don't tell me how well year round schooling works in other countries. Our educational system and culture is different and not changing anytime soon. So please just stop with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate how they stop all instruction after SOLs. There are SO many fun learning activities they could do!

My FCPS-educated 6th grader can't read or write cursive for gods sakes. They have had three board game days since last week.

You might get your wish! DD's last test (cumulative finals for math) is on 6/6, the same day she has a science test. The last bit of work that she has due dates on, is due on 6/9. Her math teacher has told them that they will continue learning new content until the end of the school year.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely! Just like the week/two weeks before winter break feel like they take forever...

I would also be 100% on board with year round school. Even more-so post-Covid where we WFH and would be able to do more family things year-round. My kids hate going to camp all summer - it's hot and I can't blame them! Prices wouldn't be jacked up 100% during the same week of spring break and winter break.

Anonymous wrote:
I come from a country where the school year is longer (ends early July), but there are more breaks during the school year.

I also went to school in various other countries with different school calendars.

Whatever the length of the school year, I can GUARANTEE that this is what the last 2 weeks ALWAYS feel like.

It's purely psychological. You see the end, you feel the days getting warmer, and some seniors graduating early, and you're like: "why do I still have to go to school!" Everyone then starts feeling "done"... but really, it's a societal illusion. In my home country, they'll start feeling "done" at the end of June, when there are 2 weeks left and the seniors are done already...

Hang in there, everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why the calendars don't make sense. These are days that supposedly count towards the legal requirement but yet everyone knows that everyone is checked out. If FCPS cared about education, this wouldn't be happening. We need to have more full weeks during/before SOLs when actual instruction is happening and have the summer start earlier. No one wants to be in school in June. These days shouldn't and don't count.

Actually, what should happen is whole year schooling - there should be no 2+ months off in the summer, have school be year round and have more breaks throughout the year.

Oh please no.

School should start around August 21st and end at Memorial Day.

4 days at Thanksgiving
2 weeks at Christmas to New Years
1 week spring break tied to the end of 3rd quarter.

Ditch all the other days off and give the kids a real summer vacation.

We should not have kids in school for a full month after SOLs and AP exams.

I love this, but would add federal holidays to the list. So kids off Columbus Day, but not for religious holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate how they stop all instruction after SOLs. There are SO many fun learning activities they could do!

My FCPS-educated 6th grader can't read or write cursive for gods sakes. They have had three board game days since last week.

No one needs to learn how to read or write in cursive anymore. Teach them how to sign their name and they’ll be fine.

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t matter when school starts or end in the year. There will always be complainers. Sigh. Why don’t you question why are you so “checked out”?

[Anonymous]

You guys have two more weeks?? Geez. The never-ending school year...

[Anonymous]

My kid is having a great June at school. Interesting work, activities after school. End of year parties.

[Anonymous]

Should be over already. There's no learning in June.