Any charter schools confirm they are ending school year early?

[Anonymous]

My understanding part of the reason for the early closing is how the teachers contracts set up and the union. If dcps wants time to train teachers on even better distance learning practices they need those days. As, well as for a few other possible changes to class room school operations over the next 3-6-22 months.
They also need those day to have teacher take turns coming in and closing their respective class rooms.
All of which must be done within their contracted days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please listen to what the mayor said. She did not say dcps, she specifically said all dc public and public charter schools.

You obviously did not listen or read the slide during the announcement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:EL Haynes just announced on Twitter that they would be distance learning for the remainder of the year. Didn’t specify a date though.

This is also how DCB sent the message. My guess is they will all follow along with the May 29th though, assuming there is some valid reason for the early closure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCI’s statement on social media:

“ DCI leadership will reconvene early next week to address the Mayor’s announcement that DCPS schools will close on May 29th. At that time we will notify our families of our decision on how we will proceed. Thank you for your support and patience in these extraordinary times.”

I’m wondering how they didn’t have a plan already figured out by now.

Because everyone expected the mayor to announce that schools were closed for the rest of the year but the announcement that distance learning would end 2.5 weeks before the planned end of the year was a surprise? Just guessing. Lots of charters try to follow DCPS's schedule, but it can be really hard to do that when DCPS's decisions are unexpected.

They started the press conference 40 minutes late and a mic caught someone saying "have the charter schools been told?" so, I'd guess maybe the charters were caught fully off guard. I don't think anyone saw taking 3 weeks of learning off the table coming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCI’s statement on social media:

“ DCI leadership will reconvene early next week to address the Mayor’s announcement that DCPS schools will close on May 29th. At that time we will notify our families of our decision on how we will proceed. Thank you for your support and patience in these extraordinary times.”

I’m wondering how they didn’t have a plan already figured out by now.

Because everyone expected the mayor to announce that schools were closed for the rest of the year but the announcement that distance learning would end 2.5 weeks before the planned end of the year was a surprise? Just guessing. Lots of charters try to follow DCPS's schedule, but it can be really hard to do that when DCPS's decisions are unexpected.

They started the press conference 40 minutes late and a mic caught someone saying "have the charter schools been told?" so, I'd guess maybe the charters were caught fully off guard. I don't think anyone saw taking 3 weeks of learning off the table coming.

Weird. This tweet makes it sound as if everyone knew what was happening. Who knows what the truth is.

https://mobile.twitter.com/i/status/1251219985176895498

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding part of the reason for the early closing is how the teachers contracts set up and the union. If dcps wants time to train teachers on even better distance learning practices they need those days. As, well as for a few other possible changes to class room school operations over the next 3-6-22 months.
They also need those day to have teacher take turns coming in and closing their respective class rooms.
All of which must be done within their contracted days.

This was my immediate thought and since I am a fan of starting early and of being more prepared, I’m glad. But we are at a charter so who knows what will happen.

[Anonymous]

If the trade off is distance learning through June means they can’t open 3 weeks early then, I hope my school ends May.

[Anonymous]

This decision seems more about money. The city is hemorrhaging money. To be able to start school early in August - they need to stop paying teachers ASAP. They work a 10-month year and there is no money to add more, even if teachers were able or willing to.

Charter teachers are on one-year contracts. They have to sort that through before whacking 3 years off the school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This decision seems more about money. The city is hemorrhaging money. To be able to start school early in August - they need to stop paying teachers ASAP. They work a 10-month year and there is no money to add more, even if teachers were able or willing to.

Charter teachers are on one-year contracts. They have to sort that through before whacking 3 years off the school year.

They can’t stop paying teachers just because school ends early.

Also, not all charters have one-year contracts. It doesn’t matter though because they are all at will employees and can be let go at any moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This decision seems more about money. The city is hemorrhaging money. To be able to start school early in August - they need to stop paying teachers ASAP. They work a 10-month year and there is no money to add more, even if teachers were able or willing to.

Charter teachers are on one-year contracts. They have to sort that through before whacking 3 years off the school year.

They can’t stop paying teachers just because school ends early.

Also, not all charters have one-year contracts. It doesn’t matter though because they are all at will employees and can be let go at any moment.

They’re negotiating with WTU. That’s why the start of next year is up in the air. And there is no $ to extend the 2020-21 school year beyond 180 days. The city has to find places to cut, not add (yes, even to the education budget).

[Anonymous]

While not yet shown on the PSCB website, Friendship Charter and Creative Minds each have posted they are also ending instruction on May 29. Friendship also said they could start instruction again in early August if public health guidelines allow.

https://www.friendshipschools.org/

https://www.creativemindspcs.org/news/school-year-ending-may-29/

[Anonymous]

I hope our school ends June 12. It’s going fine. Why waste it?

[Anonymous]

1. Charters were not told ahead of time. Many were on spring break because they had a plan and were delivering instruction and then having spring break according to the calendar.
2. Many charters had planned to continue distance learning until the end of the year.
3. The mayor was protecting DCPS for a variety of reasons, all having to do with money and mismanagement of distance learning.
4. Many charters offer 2 year contracts to start and thereafter can even extend longer, depending on performance. While charter school employees are at will, charters still have to abide by DC employer laws which give great protection to employees. It's actually much harder to fire than you'd think.
5. Thank you to all the charters who are successfully delivering online education and who remain open longer than May 29. They are truly in it for the kids.

[Anonymous]

As much as you all want distance learning to continue at charters, what do you expect will be the reaction from teachers if this is the one time they decide to NOT follow DCPS?

We are constantly told we can’t close early or open late for inclement weather because “we follow DCPS”. So now they’re just going to backtrack on the excuse they always use and what, teachers are just going to accept it? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My understanding part of the reason for the early closing is how the teachers contracts set up and the union. If dcps wants time to train teachers on even better distance learning practices they need those days. As, well as for a few other possible changes to class room school operations over the next 3-6-22 months.
They also need those day to have teacher take turns coming in and closing their respective class rooms.
All of which must be done within their contracted days.

This was my immediate thought and since I am a fan of starting early and of being more prepared, I’m glad. But we are at a charter so who knows what will happen.

It seems we would be be far enough off the curve IF we come down quickly verses plateau for a while. I think free touring programs for those that need is after school or weekends would make more sense.