Will FCPS start before Labor Day in 2015?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are last weeks of August better to vacation than the first week of August?

Fewer crowds and cheaper in general at holiday destinations along the East Coast in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH is a physician and makes his entire 2015 call schedule now. Labor Day falls on Sept 7.

Is it safe to assume that school will start Sept 8 and not Aug 31?

No need to assume anything, Mrs doctor's wife. Just search for "FCPS calendar 2015 -16" and you'll be amazed by the results.

OP here. I did search for the 2015-2016 first. My child will be in kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are last weeks of August better to vacation than the first week of August?

Fewer crowds and cheaper in general at holiday destinations along the East Coast in particular.

+1 -- all the other school systems have already started school. Its the absolute best time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The post Labor Day start was mandated by state law. It is known as the Kings Dominion law. It had nothing to do with any superintendent. Was that law changed by the General Assembly?

Yes, but other counties have gotten waivers for it, so it is not a done deal for any school system.

The waivers ate given for historical snow days. They reject Fairfax's application for a waiver every time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I hope they start after Labor Day. I think starting school in August, even the 31st, is just wrong.

Disagree. I think going after Memorial Day is just wrong. Kids and teachers are done.

September through June is the traditional school year. Kids and teachers will be "done" a week or so before the last day no matter when the last day actually occurs, that's just human nature.

August is still summer. We've lived places where school started in August and it just felt weird.

[Anonymous]

The state dept. of ed. rejects the request EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

It would be a surprise if they had a different result this year.

Over half of the school districts in Va. have a waiver and it's not based on snow days only. Alexandria and Arlington have waivers and I think theirs are based on having lower performing schools that need more time before state tests or SATs or something. We actually are becoming a district with more needy students (FARMS and ESOL), so it seems like Fairfax would have a good case for starting earlier.....

BUT... it's all about the $$. Va. Beach wants the money from people in Fairfax and they WILL get it. Richmond folks are not likely to stop the Fairfax $$ flowing into tourist sites by approving an earlier start date.

I think Sept. 8th is RIDICULOUSLY late to start school, but the folks in Richmond are calling the shots and they like lots of money from Fairfax families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The state dept. of ed. rejects the request EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

It would be a surprise if they had a different result this year.

Over half of the school districts in Va. have a waiver and it's not based on snow days only. Alexandria and Arlington have waivers and I think theirs are based on having lower performing schools that need more time before state tests or SATs or something. We actually are becoming a district with more needy students (FARMS and ESOL), so it seems like Fairfax would have a good case for starting earlier.....

BUT... it's all about the $$. Va. Beach wants the money from people in Fairfax and they WILL get it. Richmond folks are not likely to stop the Fairfax $$ flowing into tourist sites by approving an earlier start date.

I think Sept. 8th is RIDICULOUSLY late to start school, but the folks in Richmond are calling the shots and they like lots of money from Fairfax families.

You nailed it, PP. I think it does hurt FCPS kids because certain tests are on national schedules (AP exams, for instance), so students in other jurisdictions have more time to learn/prepare. Sure, I like cheap(er) beach rentals in late August as much as the next person, but in late May when all of the important testing is done, it's pathetic knowing my kids have 3+ more weeks of school... which at that point, consists mostly of parties/field days/etc.

[Anonymous]

So tired of hearing that one week changes the way kids test. The curriculum, class sizes, and kids with lack of family support at FCPS is to blame for kids not passing. Not a change in the calendar by one week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are last weeks of August better to vacation than the first week of August?

Beach house in OBX drop in price. That would be a starting point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I hope they start after Labor Day. I think starting school in August, even the 31st, is just wrong.

Disagree. I think going after Memorial Day is just wrong. Kids and teachers are done.

September through June is the traditional school year. Kids and teachers will be "done" a week or so before the last day no matter when the last day actually occurs, that's just human nature.

August is still summer. We've lived places where school started in August and it just felt weird.

Sure, in 1900 back when everybody worked on the farm in the summer. Now we have indoor a/c and plenty of states start way before Labor Day and are done by Memorial Day. Imagine it, the end of the school year at the end of May! Idyllic!

[Anonymous]

Prince William county just got a waiver yesterday to start on Sept 1. FCPS has not published an offical start date for the 2014-2015 school year - so of all years, I think this might be the time for a change - with FCPS touching two counties that start early - it might change!

But, I need to know now. I'm not a Doctor, but I still have to plan daycare a year in advance. Booking my summer nanny now during the college break and need camps/vacation for when he/she goes back to college.

[Anonymous]

Doubtful.

It's against the law and FCPS doesn't meet the "good cause" requirements for a waiver:

https://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+22.1-79.1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I hope they start after Labor Day. I think starting school in August, even the 31st, is just wrong.

Disagree. I think going after Memorial Day is just wrong. Kids and teachers are done.

September through June is the traditional school year. Kids and teachers will be "done" a week or so before the last day no matter when the last day actually occurs, that's just human nature.

August is still summer. We've lived places where school started in August and it just felt weird.

Sure, in 1900 back when everybody worked on the farm in the summer. Now we have indoor a/c and plenty of states start way before Labor Day and are done by Memorial Day. Imagine it, the end of the school year at the end of May! Idyllic!

And other districts, like DCPS, start well before Labor Day and STILL go past the middle of June.

[Anonymous]

The other consideration in NOVA is that August coincides with the congressional recess, which is a calendar followed by many. I would imagine a huge push-back against efforts to start school in August. And justifiably so.

All these people talking about it being delightful to be out at Memorial Day must not live in this area.

[Anonymous]

Beach house in OBX drop in price. That would be a starting point.

So, that's the true reason you like August.