Year Round School

[Anonymous]

Please get your facts straight. There are two Alexandria schools that do Modified Calendar. The two school have similar demographics (both Title I, both high English as second language students) but there are also significant differences.
One is Mt. Vernon Community School. It does have poor test scores for a number of subgroups and is currently in "transformation" due to repeated years of scores that do not show "adequate yearly progress". It has also had high turnover of teachers and administration.
Samuel Tucker Elementary is on the West End of Alexandria. It has always had very good test scores, and has made "adequate yearly progress" every year except last year, the same year a huge number of schools also couldn't meet the super-high test score expectations. This includes schools throughout Viriginia--Fairfax included, and is what prompted VA to go for the waiver from No Child Left Behind.
Tucker families are very happy with the academics offered at their school and are also very happy with the Modified School Calendar. It is not a "magic bullet" for success, because if it was, Mt. Vernon would have similar success. It is a tool that can be adopted by a school. Combined with stable, strong administration and teachers, it can be extremely beneficial, and Tucker families feel it has enhanced their children's education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Alexandria modified calendar schools offer classes (either remedial or enrichment) during intercession to help alleviate the child are issue. It's in place at two of the schools with very high numbers of low income kids and gives them opportunities to participate in activities they might never get a chance to otherwise (things like karate).

I think it's a great concept.

But as I mentioned, both schools have terrible test scores and achievements have been few and far between so the concept doesn't seem to be all that beneficial.

I used to live in ACPS and sent my kids to MacArthur (on a traditional calendar). My friends who had kids at Tucker did very well. And several of Alexandria's Civic leaders in Del Ray send their kids to Mt. Vernon. These are not in any way, shape, or form, failing schools.

BTW, I'm the person who reliably bashes the middle school and TC, so, I don't praise ACPS often. But I think those particular elementary schools are aces.

[Anonymous]

We considered a house that fed into Barcroft elementary, which is a year-round school. I actually wasn't excited about the year-round aspect of it because I thought it would be more difficult to find backup care at random weeks during the year. Most schools are on similar August-June schedules and there are summer camps for the weeks school isn't in session.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We considered a house that fed into Barcroft elementary, which is a year-round school. I actually wasn't excited about the year-round aspect of it because I thought it would be more difficult to find backup care at random weeks during the year. Most schools are on similar August-June schedules and there are summer camps for the weeks school isn't in session.

Again, most schools have some kind of enrichment program they are offering during this time period during the school day. For after-school, so you can have whatever arrangement you have during the regular school year. At our school, the in-school after care program runs the same as usual. Contact the specific school you are considering for details.

[Anonymous]

I wish FCPS would implement a year round schedule. It would be nice to have longer breaks throughout the year rather than a huge chunk in the summer when it's pretty much too hot to go out and play for most of the days. 3 week breaks in the fall, winter and spring would be a welcome change. Traveling would be cheaper since it's not peak times, the weather is more suitable to outside play, there would be less time wasted at the beginning of each school year bringing kids back up to speed. Ds's class last year spent the entire first quarter just doing review work!

Those that are worried about camps and such shouldn't. All the places that provide summer camps and spring break camps will provide camps for the intercession times. The supply meets the demand, simple economics.

There would still be a longer summer period of 6 weeks so no need to fret about not having the long lingering lazy days of summer. 6 weeks is plenty of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish FCPS would implement a year round schedule. It would be nice to have longer breaks throughout the year rather than a huge chunk in the summer when it's pretty much too hot to go out and play for most of the days. 3 week breaks in the fall, winter and spring would be a welcome change. Traveling would be cheaper since it's not peak times, the weather is more suitable to outside play, there would be less time wasted at the beginning of each school year bringing kids back up to speed. Ds's class last year spent the entire first quarter just doing review work!

Those that are worried about camps and such shouldn't. All the places that provide summer camps and spring break camps will provide camps for the intercession times. The supply meets the demand, simple economics.

There would still be a longer summer period of 6 weeks so no need to fret about not having the long lingering lazy days of summer. 6 weeks is plenty of time.

I wouldn't call that "year round". I'd call that a "modified calendar".

[Anonymous]

Is there anything in between that they can look at such as an 8 week summer? I think this isn't too long for kids to be out and yet then they can still do a lot over the summer and really enjoy it too. Many of the northern states have this already due to snow days during the year. In only 6 weeks, you could have 2 weeks of rain and then only get a one month summer break. I agree on the stupidity of the 1st quarter all being review. What a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

I could see it being of benefit for elementary and middle school, but when I was in high school, I worked over the summers (either as a CIT, babysitting, or at a local ice cream store), and I really counted on that money to help me get through the school year in terms of having some money for lunches out, movies with friends etc. (my family was poor).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish FCPS would implement a year round schedule. It would be nice to have longer breaks throughout the year rather than a huge chunk in the summer when it's pretty much too hot to go out and play for most of the days. 3 week breaks in the fall, winter and spring would be a welcome change. Traveling would be cheaper since it's not peak times, the weather is more suitable to outside play, there would be less time wasted at the beginning of each school year bringing kids back up to speed. Ds's class last year spent the entire first quarter just doing review work!

Those that are worried about camps and such shouldn't. All the places that provide summer camps and spring break camps will provide camps for the intercession times. The supply meets the demand, simple economics.

There would still be a longer summer period of 6 weeks so no need to fret about not having the long lingering lazy days of summer. 6 weeks is plenty of time.

I wouldn't call that "year round". I'd call that a "modified calendar".

I guess "year round" school is a misnomer, but this format (6 week summer + a couple 3 week breaks) is what everyone is talking about. Perhaps those of us advocating for it should change our messaging because I think there is a misperception that there would be no summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish FCPS would implement a year round schedule. It would be nice to have longer breaks throughout the year rather than a huge chunk in the summer when it's pretty much too hot to go out and play for most of the days. 3 week breaks in the fall, winter and spring would be a welcome change. Traveling would be cheaper since it's not peak times, the weather is more suitable to outside play, there would be less time wasted at the beginning of each school year bringing kids back up to speed. Ds's class last year spent the entire first quarter just doing review work!

Those that are worried about camps and such shouldn't. All the places that provide summer camps and spring break camps will provide camps for the intercession times. The supply meets the demand, simple economics.

There would still be a longer summer period of 6 weeks so no need to fret about not having the long lingering lazy days of summer. 6 weeks is plenty of time.

I wouldn't call that "year round". I'd call that a "modified calendar".

I guess "year round" school is a misnomer, but this format (6 week summer + a couple 3 week breaks) is what everyone is talking about. Perhaps those of us advocating for it should change our messaging because I think there is a misperception that there would be no summer.

I agree. I'd like to try a modified calendar schedule. Year roun doesn't accurately describe it and would scare off some people.

[Anonymous]

The summer seems even longer this year with 11 weeks intead of 10 in NOVA. We're already on our 8th week and I can't believe we have over 3 more weeks to go still before school starts.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would love it so much!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish FCPS would implement a year round schedule. It would be nice to have longer breaks throughout the year rather than a huge chunk in the summer when it's pretty much too hot to go out and play for most of the days. 3 week breaks in the fall, winter and spring would be a welcome change. Traveling would be cheaper since it's not peak times, the weather is more suitable to outside play, there would be less time wasted at the beginning of each school year bringing kids back up to speed. Ds's class last year spent the entire first quarter just doing review work!

Those that are worried about camps and such shouldn't. All the places that provide summer camps and spring break camps will provide camps for the intercession times. The supply meets the demand, simple economics.

There would still be a longer summer period of 6 weeks so no need to fret about not having the long lingering lazy days of summer. 6 weeks is plenty of time.

Could noy agree more...wish that Loudoun had modified calendar years offered too!

[Anonymous]

I would support a modified calendar. It would work out well if it was county wide and the area supported it.