DC changing spring break in 2027-29 (Please get them to move it back with Emancipation Day)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Who cares if it lines up with Emancipation Day? Why is that a thing you (or anyone else) are up in arms about?

It's a good marker for spring break so spring break is always at a similar point every year. Easter hops around from year to year so that should not be the deciding factor.

Thanks for the explanation. Still think it weird that people are digging in on Emancipation Day as the trigger instead of just pointing out the time in the month they want to see break. Maybe I'm too sensitive but that feels performative.

Emancipation Day is on April 16 unless that is on a weekend in which case it's moved to the adjacent Friday or Monday.
Schools in Massachusetts use Patriots Day as the factor for spring break which is the 3rd Monday in April. They also are off the week of President's Day in February.

Since there are no more half days (there used to be 4) the 180 day requirement should be reduced to 178. The 10 PD days actually occur on 12 calendar dates with 4 PD/record day combinations. Those should be reduced to 8 on 10 calendar days. This would free up 4 days for teachers/2 for students to be off during the year or to end the year sooner.

I appreciate you trying to equate it with Patriots Day. I think the analogy (inapt as it may be) is illustrative of how silly the argument it. I used to live up there. It has been an official holiday in MA since the late 1800s. Given how many of you seem to be arguing that Emancipation Day is quite the same I decided to look it up. It was made an official DC holiday in 2008. Not to let facts get in the way or anything...

Sure, everyone knows a holiday isn’t really, like, an official holiday until it’s been a holiday for 100+ years.

Plus no one is really arguing about the need to honor the day (though I mean yeah) but that it's already an observed holiday off that makes it easier to plan annual trips. It also frankly often made things cheaper because you aren't competing with every other school's break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Who cares if it lines up with Emancipation Day? Why is that a thing you (or anyone else) are up in arms about?

It's a good marker for spring break so spring break is always at a similar point every year. Easter hops around from year to year so that should not be the deciding factor.

Thanks for the explanation. Still think it weird that people are digging in on Emancipation Day as the trigger instead of just pointing out the time in the month they want to see break. Maybe I'm too sensitive but that feels performative.

Emancipation Day is on April 16 unless that is on a weekend in which case it's moved to the adjacent Friday or Monday.
Schools in Massachusetts use Patriots Day as the factor for spring break which is the 3rd Monday in April. They also are off the week of President's Day in February.

Since there are no more half days (there used to be 4) the 180 day requirement should be reduced to 178. The 10 PD days actually occur on 12 calendar dates with 4 PD/record day combinations. Those should be reduced to 8 on 10 calendar days. This would free up 4 days for teachers/2 for students to be off during the year or to end the year sooner.

I appreciate you trying to equate it with Patriots Day. I think the analogy (inapt as it may be) is illustrative of how silly the argument it. I used to live up there. It has been an official holiday in MA since the late 1800s. Given how many of you seem to be arguing that Emancipation Day is quite the same I decided to look it up. It was made an official DC holiday in 2008. Not to let facts get in the way or anything...

Sure, everyone knows a holiday isn’t really, like, an official holiday until it’s been a holiday for 100+ years.

Plus no one is really arguing about the need to honor the day (though I mean yeah) but that it's already an observed holiday off that makes it easier to plan annual trips. It also frankly often made things cheaper because you aren't competing with every other school's break.

How far in advance are you planning trips? The calendar is set through 2029 now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Who cares if it lines up with Emancipation Day? Why is that a thing you (or anyone else) are up in arms about?

It's a good marker for spring break so spring break is always at a similar point every year. Easter hops around from year to year so that should not be the deciding factor.

Thanks for the explanation. Still think it weird that people are digging in on Emancipation Day as the trigger instead of just pointing out the time in the month they want to see break. Maybe I'm too sensitive but that feels performative.

Emancipation Day is on April 16 unless that is on a weekend in which case it's moved to the adjacent Friday or Monday.
Schools in Massachusetts use Patriots Day as the factor for spring break which is the 3rd Monday in April. They also are off the week of President's Day in February.

Since there are no more half days (there used to be 4) the 180 day requirement should be reduced to 178. The 10 PD days actually occur on 12 calendar dates with 4 PD/record day combinations. Those should be reduced to 8 on 10 calendar days. This would free up 4 days for teachers/2 for students to be off during the year or to end the year sooner.

I appreciate you trying to equate it with Patriots Day. I think the analogy (inapt as it may be) is illustrative of how silly the argument it. I used to live up there. It has been an official holiday in MA since the late 1800s. Given how many of you seem to be arguing that Emancipation Day is quite the same I decided to look it up. It was made an official DC holiday in 2008. Not to let facts get in the way or anything...

Sure, everyone knows a holiday isn’t really, like, an official holiday until it’s been a holiday for 100+ years.

Plus no one is really arguing about the need to honor the day (though I mean yeah) but that it's already an observed holiday off that makes it easier to plan annual trips. It also frankly often made things cheaper because you aren't competing with every other school's break.

How far in advance are you planning trips? The calendar is set through 2029 now.

I doubt people are planning for SB 2027 yet let alone 2029.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Sure, everyone knows a holiday isn’t really, like, an official holiday until it’s been a holiday for 100+ years.

If Emancipation Day wasn't a thing I'd request the 1st full week of April. I go with Emancipation Day week since it seems weird to have a day off right after spring break.
They need a decent long weekend in February. I liked the week off but people acted up and I don't think a 2-week winter break and February break can fit a calendar that requires 180 student days and 10 PD days (five before students start) and 4 records days AND 2 PTC days (196 all together). DC contract language says teachers are limited to 196 contact days but it's never less than that due to those requirements. New teachers have 199 days YIKES!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Who cares if it lines up with Emancipation Day? Why is that a thing you (or anyone else) are up in arms about?

It's a good marker for spring break so spring break is always at a similar point every year. Easter hops around from year to year so that should not be the deciding factor.

Thanks for the explanation. Still think it weird that people are digging in on Emancipation Day as the trigger instead of just pointing out the time in the month they want to see break. Maybe I'm too sensitive but that feels performative.

Emancipation Day is on April 16 unless that is on a weekend in which case it's moved to the adjacent Friday or Monday.
Schools in Massachusetts use Patriots Day as the factor for spring break which is the 3rd Monday in April. They also are off the week of President's Day in February.

Since there are no more half days (there used to be 4) the 180 day requirement should be reduced to 178. The 10 PD days actually occur on 12 calendar dates with 4 PD/record day combinations. Those should be reduced to 8 on 10 calendar days. This would free up 4 days for teachers/2 for students to be off during the year or to end the year sooner.

I appreciate you trying to equate it with Patriots Day. I think the analogy (inapt as it may be) is illustrative of how silly the argument it. I used to live up there. It has been an official holiday in MA since the late 1800s. Given how many of you seem to be arguing that Emancipation Day is quite the same I decided to look it up. It was made an official DC holiday in 2008. Not to let facts get in the way or anything...

Sure, everyone knows a holiday isn’t really, like, an official holiday until it’s been a holiday for 100+ years.

Disingenuous. Reasonable people can agree that a holiday in existence for 3 or 4 generations is well established. I'm sure there's a period less than 100 years that would also fall in this category. It is nonsense, however, to argue that 15 years is the same as 100. But you knew that. You are just embarrassed. Do you feel better?

[Anonymous]

As a DCPS teacher who lives in a neighboring county, I just want them to start lining up our spring break with the surrounding districts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Who cares if it lines up with Emancipation Day? Why is that a thing you (or anyone else) are up in arms about?

It's a good marker for spring break so spring break is always at a similar point every year. Easter hops around from year to year so that should not be the deciding factor.

Thanks for the explanation. Still think it weird that people are digging in on Emancipation Day as the trigger instead of just pointing out the time in the month they want to see break. Maybe I'm too sensitive but that feels performative.

Wut? Stop looking for “woke” performances everywhere. Traditionally DCPS spring break aligned with Emancipation Day (since 2016 or 2017). It’s the reference point most of us use.

Not sure who "us" is. Says a great deal about the insular nature of your world that you can't for a moment conceive that the term and date have not yet been adopted as Thanksgiving or Labor Day by most citizens. Or was this humor? I see what you did! You argued against spotting woke performance art and then engaged in it. Brilliant!

“Us”- longtime DCPS parent. Please stop looking to be offended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a DCPS teacher who lives in a neighboring county, I just want them to start lining up our spring break with the surrounding districts.

This year they have the same break so it is possible they should drop their ridiculous week before Easter format when it isn't as late.

They should all have spring break the same time as DC, they happen to line up by coincidence this year but should be a full week in April every year.
The thing with Emancipation Day is that it would be wield to have a day off right after the break after 1-4 days back if SB were the 1st week of April. Spring break before the 1st full week of April is awful with a mid-June or later end date since after spring break the longest stretches off are 3-day weekends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Who cares if it lines up with Emancipation Day? Why is that a thing you (or anyone else) are up in arms about?

It's a good marker for spring break so spring break is always at a similar point every year. Easter hops around from year to year so that should not be the deciding factor.

Thanks for the explanation. Still think it weird that people are digging in on Emancipation Day as the trigger instead of just pointing out the time in the month they want to see break. Maybe I'm too sensitive but that feels performative.

Emancipation Day is on April 16 unless that is on a weekend in which case it's moved to the adjacent Friday or Monday.
Schools in Massachusetts use Patriots Day as the factor for spring break which is the 3rd Monday in April. They also are off the week of President's Day in February.

Since there are no more half days (there used to be 4) the 180 day requirement should be reduced to 178. The 10 PD days actually occur on 12 calendar dates with 4 PD/record day combinations. Those should be reduced to 8 on 10 calendar days. This would free up 4 days for teachers/2 for students to be off during the year or to end the year sooner.

I appreciate you trying to equate it with Patriots Day. I think the analogy (inapt as it may be) is illustrative of how silly the argument it. I used to live up there. It has been an official holiday in MA since the late 1800s. Given how many of you seem to be arguing that Emancipation Day is quite the same I decided to look it up. It was made an official DC holiday in 2008. Not to let facts get in the way or anything...

Sure, everyone knows a holiday isn’t really, like, an official holiday until it’s been a holiday for 100+ years.

Disingenuous. Reasonable people can agree that a holiday in existence for 3 or 4 generations is well established. I'm sure there's a period less than 100 years that would also fall in this category. It is nonsense, however, to argue that 15 years is the same as 100. But you knew that. You are just embarrassed. Do you feel better?

You are very angry about Emancipation Day. Why is that? It’s kind of weird that you’re insisting this one new-ish local holiday honoring the day enslaved people in DC were freed isn’t real. Did you know that Emancipation Days are honored all over the world because the actual days enslaved people became free was kind of a big deal? Do you feel the same way about Juneteenth? Hm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Who cares if it lines up with Emancipation Day? Why is that a thing you (or anyone else) are up in arms about?

It's a good marker for spring break so spring break is always at a similar point every year. Easter hops around from year to year so that should not be the deciding factor.

Thanks for the explanation. Still think it weird that people are digging in on Emancipation Day as the trigger instead of just pointing out the time in the month they want to see break. Maybe I'm too sensitive but that feels performative.

Wut? Stop looking for “woke” performances everywhere. Traditionally DCPS spring break aligned with Emancipation Day (since 2016 or 2017). It’s the reference point most of us use.

Agree. It isn't anything to do with being "woke". It is so they don't have to take another day off of school since Emancipation Day is another holiday that schools have to be closed for. I think it works perfectly for that reason + I like the certainty of always knowing when SB happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious question: Who cares if it lines up with Emancipation Day? Why is that a thing you (or anyone else) are up in arms about?

It's a good marker for spring break so spring break is always at a similar point every year. Easter hops around from year to year so that should not be the deciding factor.

Thanks for the explanation. Still think it weird that people are digging in on Emancipation Day as the trigger instead of just pointing out the time in the month they want to see break. Maybe I'm too sensitive but that feels performative.

Wut? Stop looking for “woke” performances everywhere. Traditionally DCPS spring break aligned with Emancipation Day (since 2016 or 2017). It’s the reference point most of us use.

Agree. It isn't anything to do with being "woke". It is so they don't have to take another day off of school since Emancipation Day is another holiday that schools have to be closed for. I think it works perfectly for that reason + I like the certainty of always knowing when SB happens.

Same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a DCPS teacher who lives in a neighboring county, I just want them to start lining up our spring break with the surrounding districts.

This is the real and only reason they are lining it up with Easter, like every other public school system in this area. You don't have to like it, but it makes sense for teachers and staffing needs.

[Anonymous]

Its warm and nice in DC in mid-late April and makes zero sense to have spring break then. We should have a march SB like everyone else, all the time.

[Anonymous]

How is 2 weeks for winter break good news??

[Anonymous]

They are aligning DCPS spring break with MoCo and PG County spring breaks.....because most of the DCPS teachers and staff live in MoCo or PG.

I'm pretty sure this was a giveaway to the union and teachers were coordinated on responding to DCPS during the feedback period.

It's dumb. We now will have an extra day of school in June because we still have to do a week of spring break AND Emancipation Day.