Bill Giving MD Schools Flexibility on Start Date Gains Traction in Assembly (Opposed by Governor)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I write to my legislator it will be to keep the current school calendar. I’m pretty happy about the way in which things are going. I don’t want my kid on a hot school bus or in a hot classroom.

I haven't noticed that the weather suddenly heats up on June 16 or suddenly cools down on the Tuesday after Labor Day.

Also, if your children's schools don't have air conditioning, you should write to the governor. He has taken an interest in this matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually very happy with current calendar. It is much easier to plan ahead for summer. Nobody can study late in June or in early August. The problem is not start and end date. Problem is MCPS with ton of closed days. It is MCPS that is by purpose trying to twist parents' hands and make our life miserable with crazy schedule during the year and rediculous spring break.

I feel the exact same way.

me too. teachers need to maximize the time kids are in school. I hear too many stories of chromebook days, or watching videos during class while teacher takes a break. and for those complaining about lack of childcare the last couple weeks of August, that is simply not true. there are plenty of camps that are filling the gaps and plenty of sitters available on care.com. I'd rather my kids be at the pool or beach instead of a hot classroom.

Those end of August camps are few and filled quickly. You must not be on any local listservs where parents are panicking in May because by then those August weeks are filled up. But even if childcare doesn’t become more of an issue, I would rather have more breaks during the school year. Kids need downtime to recharge their batteries. Plus the older ones need more days to prep for APs in May. This bill to allow more flexibility in scheduling is expected to pass overwhelmingly i the Maryland legislature. Hogan is just trying to avoid defeat on what he considers one of his few accomplishments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. I am now getting annoying Facebook ads from “friends of Governor hogan” asking that I call my delegate to support “common sense” in the school calendar because school must start after Labor Day. No Governor, common sense is having a calendar that allows for a spring break that is more than 3 days long when every other state has a full week off (at least!)

There are so few breaks in the second half of the year. My HS kid could really use that full week for Spring Break. I know young kids need child care but your perspective will change when you are a high schooler juggling AP exams and trying to visut a few colleges while in session. I know we are allowed two days to visit colleges but it is tough to miss classes and his coach does not consider that an valid reason to miss practice (whole nother story)

Yes. This.

[Anonymous]

The House bill is HB 437.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The House bill is HB 437.

When will they pass it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The House bill is HB 437.

When will they pass it?

https://legiscan.com/MD/bill/HB437/2019

I thought the legislature voted to pass it but that Hogan was threatening to veto.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The House bill is HB 437.

When will they pass it?

https://legiscan.com/MD/bill/HB437/2019

I thought the legislature voted to pass it but that Hogan was threatening to veto.

The Dems have a veto proof majority, don't they?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The House bill is HB 437.

When will they pass it?

https://legiscan.com/MD/bill/HB437/2019

I thought the legislature voted to pass it but that Hogan was threatening to veto.

The Dems have a veto proof majority, don't they?

I thought so, but maybe Hogan is trying to fight back, considering he's putting up Facebook ads.

[Anonymous]

Every poll taken shows 60% or higher want after a Labor Day start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually very happy with current calendar. It is much easier to plan ahead for summer. Nobody can study late in June or in early August. The problem is not start and end date. Problem is MCPS with ton of closed days. It is MCPS that is by purpose trying to twist parents' hands and make our life miserable with crazy schedule during the year and rediculous spring break.

I feel the exact same way.

me too. teachers need to maximize the time kids are in school. I hear too many stories of chromebook days, or watching videos during class while teacher takes a break. and for those complaining about lack of childcare the last couple weeks of August, that is simply not true. there are plenty of camps that are filling the gaps and plenty of sitters available on care.com. I'd rather my kids be at the pool or beach instead of a hot classroom.

We're actually finding this not to the case with summer camps (that there are plenty in late August), and when I've inquired they told me it's because so many of their staff are college students and leave in mid-August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The House bill is HB 437.

When will they pass it?

https://legiscan.com/MD/bill/HB437/2019

I thought the legislature voted to pass it but that Hogan was threatening to veto.

The Dems have a veto proof majority, don't they?

Yes, there is a supermajority.

Of all issues for Hogan to pick, to make a stand on. I just don't get it. Seems like local decision-making over local school calendars would be a no-brainer for a governor whose politics are what he claims them to be.

[Anonymous]

Do you ever ponder..... "Why do we only have three days of Spring Break for 2018-2019 school year but for proposed 2019-2020 the calendar has six days off?" IMHO MCPS/BOE wanted parents to be upset and clearly some are. Never once realizing they now have directed your focus away from the bigger issues like classroom sizes, curriculum and accountability in our administrative offices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you ever ponder..... "Why do we only have three days of Spring Break for 2018-2019 school year but for proposed 2019-2020 the calendar has six days off?" IMHO MCPS/BOE wanted parents to be upset and clearly some are. Never once realizing they now have directed your focus away from the bigger issues like classroom sizes, curriculum and accountability in our administrative offices.

No, but right off the bat, it's obvious that the calendar has an extra day in 2019-2020 because there's no mandatory closure for election day.

[Anonymous]

I emailed my state legislator that I would like an after Labor Day start date but no end date. I would like a week at Christmas, a mid-winter break in February to visit colleges, a week for Spring break and a sound summer break so that children can do enriching activities for at least 6 weeks minimum and enough professional days for teachers. That is my ideal calendar for MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I emailed my state legislator that I would like an after Labor Day start date but no end date. I would like a week at Christmas, a mid-winter break in February to visit colleges, a week for Spring break and a sound summer break so that children can do enriching activities for at least 6 weeks minimum and enough professional days for teachers. That is my ideal calendar for MCPS.

And I'd like a pony and roller skates. Good luck!