APS Bell schedule review

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current bell schedules are fine, except for that stupid 9 am start for some elementary schools. That was the biggest PITA when my kid was at Science Focus. I had to pay a lot of money every month just to drop my kid off at a time when other elementary schools were already in session, as I had to do drop off and pick up and still commute and put in 8 hours at a job, which meant I had to pay for full aftercare anyway. Especially since the kid was up at the crack of dawn anyway. I’m loving the early morning middle school start, as we still don’t get a bus and I can now be at my desk by 8am and can be home by 4:30.

So sorry you had to endure that, and so glad that things come around so now everything is honky-dory for you. Other people have to manage and adapt, too.

Well, you’re voting on your interests, right? Some of the causes make me laugh, while allegedly championing the lower-income kids. I selected not on what I need now, but 9 am elementary was a mess for tons of parents and I want to try to make it easier for the next me. Not all of North Arlington - where the 9 am schools are - has SAH parents who can put kids on busses or drive them over at 8:45. APS doesn’t hide that they do the early elementary starts for the lower income areas for child care reasons. My high schooler is way more capable of fending for himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I do find it funny watching the middle school teachers met down about what an impossible schedule this is while elementary teachers have been doing it for years, often with young children who are so overtired by our 3:40 dismissal.



I don’t know why you find it funny that a relatively drastic change in schedule is problematic for people who often work two jobs. Many middle school teachers have a second job after school or help with clubs/sports that they can’t do if school gets out around 4. Elem and middle school teachers took these positions knowing the bell schedule. They planned their lives and incomes around the schedule. Same as elem school teachers nervous about what they are going to do with childcare at 7am when many pre-schools are already full for the fall. Just because middle school teachers have done it, doesn’t mean elem school teachers can do it without enough planning. I grew up here. These bell times have been fairly constant for 30 years. People knew going into the profession about what time they would work.

+1 million
PP is ignorant as hell

Seriously? Sorry, I'm not buying it. Teachers go into teaching for whatever reasons; but they take the job they can get that best suits them. Yeah, sure, they're used to their existing schedules and such; but if you're trying to convince people MS teachers can't do a schedule ES teachers do, you're not convincing me. ES teachers can also have a second job or help with after-school activities.

And "people going into the profession" do not know where they're going to be teaching or what that school or school system's bell schedules are beforehand. Bell schedules are not the same everywhere and graduating teachers-to-be don't know where they're going to end up. Like any profession, you can't always be too choosey and you take what you can and work your way through your career to more desirable situations.

Yes, some teachers might have a drastic change to their schedules after this. But you don't make decisions like this just because it's what everyone is used to. APS shouldn't be implementing this next year - that's the consideration they should give staff and parents both who will have to re-arrange logistics.

That was my point. And the people I see complaining aren’t running to second jobs. They are mad because they live in Fairfax and want to avoid traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I do find it funny watching the middle school teachers met down about what an impossible schedule this is while elementary teachers have been doing it for years, often with young children who are so overtired by our 3:40 dismissal.



I don’t know why you find it funny that a relatively drastic change in schedule is problematic for people who often work two jobs. Many middle school teachers have a second job after school or help with clubs/sports that they can’t do if school gets out around 4. Elem and middle school teachers took these positions knowing the bell schedule. They planned their lives and incomes around the schedule. Same as elem school teachers nervous about what they are going to do with childcare at 7am when many pre-schools are already full for the fall. Just because middle school teachers have done it, doesn’t mean elem school teachers can do it without enough planning. I grew up here. These bell times have been fairly constant for 30 years. People knew going into the profession about what time they would work.

+1 million
PP is ignorant as hell

Seriously? Sorry, I'm not buying it. Teachers go into teaching for whatever reasons; but they take the job they can get that best suits them. Yeah, sure, they're used to their existing schedules and such; but if you're trying to convince people MS teachers can't do a schedule ES teachers do, you're not convincing me. ES teachers can also have a second job or help with after-school activities.

And "people going into the profession" do not know where they're going to be teaching or what that school or school system's bell schedules are beforehand. Bell schedules are not the same everywhere and graduating teachers-to-be don't know where they're going to end up. Like any profession, you can't always be too choosey and you take what you can and work your way through your career to more desirable situations.

Yes, some teachers might have a drastic change to their schedules after this. But you don't make decisions like this just because it's what everyone is used to. APS shouldn't be implementing this next year - that's the consideration they should give staff and parents both who will have to re-arrange logistics.

That was my point. And the people I see complaining aren’t running to second jobs. They are mad because they live in Fairfax and want to avoid traffic.

My complaint as a teacher is that the bell schedules need to be released before our transfer date is expired. I tottally admit that I went into teacher so that I could spend time with my kids when they are young and not have a ton of work/life balance issues. THe trade off was/is that i dont’ get paid as well as Icould have if I chose another profession.
I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect the county to have had this schedule released before the “transfer fair” which will be held next week. They will not, and I think it is hard to look for a new school/job without knowing what the hours will be.
If my school dismisses at 4:10, that will make me have to get on a list for after care for my own kids (in Fairfax) I should know that NOW.

[Anonymous]

Seriously? Sorry, I'm not buying it. Teachers go into teaching for whatever reasons; but they take the job they can get that best suits them. Yeah, sure, they're used to their existing schedules and such; but if you're trying to convince people MS teachers can't do a schedule ES teachers do, you're not convincing me. ES teachers can also have a second job or help with after-school activities.

And "people going into the profession" do not know where they're going to be teaching or what that school or school system's bell schedules are beforehand. Bell schedules are not the same everywhere and graduating teachers-to-be don't know where they're going to end up. Like any profession, you can't always be too choosey and you take what you can and work your way through your career to more desirable situations.

Yes, some teachers might have a drastic change to their schedules after this. But you don't make decisions like this just because it's what everyone is used to. APS shouldn't be implementing this next year - that's the consideration they should give staff and parents both who will have to re-arrange logistics.


That was my point. And the people I see complaining aren’t running to second jobs. They are mad because they live in Fairfax and want to avoid traffic.

Yes, they're used to "their schedules and such," just like you, working readers, are. They have planned their lives around these schedules. So go ahead, change the MS schedule, and watch a number of experienced MS teachers go to Fairfax, where they can keep the MS hours they have now. Don't think they won't--remember, parents in APS have been absolutely vicious to teachers over the past two years. There's very little to keep them in APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


Seriously? Sorry, I'm not buying it. Teachers go into teaching for whatever reasons; but they take the job they can get that best suits them. Yeah, sure, they're used to their existing schedules and such; but if you're trying to convince people MS teachers can't do a schedule ES teachers do, you're not convincing me. ES teachers can also have a second job or help with after-school activities.

And "people going into the profession" do not know where they're going to be teaching or what that school or school system's bell schedules are beforehand. Bell schedules are not the same everywhere and graduating teachers-to-be don't know where they're going to end up. Like any profession, you can't always be too choosey and you take what you can and work your way through your career to more desirable situations.

Yes, some teachers might have a drastic change to their schedules after this. But you don't make decisions like this just because it's what everyone is used to. APS shouldn't be implementing this next year - that's the consideration they should give staff and parents both who will have to re-arrange logistics.


That was my point. And the people I see complaining aren’t running to second jobs. They are mad because they live in Fairfax and want to avoid traffic.

They can, but they don't. Most after-school activities at ES schools are run by parents or others. Virtually all clubs and coaching in MS schools are done by the teachers. There is no comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Seriously? Sorry, I'm not buying it. Teachers go into teaching for whatever reasons; but they take the job they can get that best suits them. Yeah, sure, they're used to their existing schedules and such; but if you're trying to convince people MS teachers can't do a schedule ES teachers do, you're not convincing me. ES teachers can also have a second job or help with after-school activities.

And "people going into the profession" do not know where they're going to be teaching or what that school or school system's bell schedules are beforehand. Bell schedules are not the same everywhere and graduating teachers-to-be don't know where they're going to end up. Like any profession, you can't always be too choosey and you take what you can and work your way through your career to more desirable situations.

Yes, some teachers might have a drastic change to their schedules after this. But you don't make decisions like this just because it's what everyone is used to. APS shouldn't be implementing this next year - that's the consideration they should give staff and parents both who will have to re-arrange logistics.


That was my point. And the people I see complaining aren’t running to second jobs. They are mad because they live in Fairfax and want to avoid traffic.

They can, but they don't. Most after-school activities at ES schools are run by parents or others. Virtually all clubs and coaching in MS schools are done by the teachers. There is no comparison.

I’m just jumping on to say at our ES there are NO after school activities run by parents. everything at the school after school is after care and enrichment classes by Baroody. I think a Girl Scout troop meets in the outdoor lab sometimes. I’d be curious which school/s allow parents to run after school
Programs.i wish ours did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I do find it funny watching the middle school teachers met down about what an impossible schedule this is while elementary teachers have been doing it for years, often with young children who are so overtired by our 3:40 dismissal.



I don’t know why you find it funny that a relatively drastic change in schedule is problematic for people who often work two jobs. Many middle school teachers have a second job after school or help with clubs/sports that they can’t do if school gets out around 4. Elem and middle school teachers took these positions knowing the bell schedule. They planned their lives and incomes around the schedule. Same as elem school teachers nervous about what they are going to do with childcare at 7am when many pre-schools are already full for the fall. Just because middle school teachers have done it, doesn’t mean elem school teachers can do it without enough planning. I grew up here. These bell times have been fairly constant for 30 years. People knew going into the profession about what time they would work.

+1 million
PP is ignorant as hell

Seriously? Sorry, I'm not buying it. Teachers go into teaching for whatever reasons; but they take the job they can get that best suits them. Yeah, sure, they're used to their existing schedules and such; but if you're trying to convince people MS teachers can't do a schedule ES teachers do, you're not convincing me. ES teachers can also have a second job or help with after-school activities.

And "people going into the profession" do not know where they're going to be teaching or what that school or school system's bell schedules are beforehand. Bell schedules are not the same everywhere and graduating teachers-to-be don't know where they're going to end up. Like any profession, you can't always be too choosey and you take what you can and work your way through your career to more desirable situations.

Yes, some teachers might have a drastic change to their schedules after this. But you don't make decisions like this just because it's what everyone is used to. APS shouldn't be implementing this next year - that's the consideration they should give staff and parents both who will have to re-arrange logistics.

That was my point. And the people I see complaining aren’t running to second jobs. They are mad because they live in Fairfax and want to avoid traffic.

My complaint as a teacher is that the bell schedules need to be released before our transfer date is expired. I tottally admit that I went into teacher so that I could spend time with my kids when they are young and not have a ton of work/life balance issues. THe trade off was/is that i dont’ get paid as well as Icould have if I chose another profession.
I think it is perfectly reasonable to expect the county to have had this schedule released before the “transfer fair” which will be held next week. They will not, and I think it is hard to look for a new school/job without knowing what the hours will be.
If my school dismisses at 4:10, that will make me have to get on a list for after care for my own kids (in Fairfax) I should know that NOW.

The bell schedule will be finalized at the May 12th meeting, leaving plenty of time before the transfer deadline at the end of July.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Seriously? Sorry, I'm not buying it. Teachers go into teaching for whatever reasons; but they take the job they can get that best suits them. Yeah, sure, they're used to their existing schedules and such; but if you're trying to convince people MS teachers can't do a schedule ES teachers do, you're not convincing me. ES teachers can also have a second job or help with after-school activities.

And "people going into the profession" do not know where they're going to be teaching or what that school or school system's bell schedules are beforehand. Bell schedules are not the same everywhere and graduating teachers-to-be don't know where they're going to end up. Like any profession, you can't always be too choosey and you take what you can and work your way through your career to more desirable situations.

Yes, some teachers might have a drastic change to their schedules after this. But you don't make decisions like this just because it's what everyone is used to. APS shouldn't be implementing this next year - that's the consideration they should give staff and parents both who will have to re-arrange logistics.


That was my point. And the people I see complaining aren’t running to second jobs. They are mad because they live in Fairfax and want to avoid traffic.

They can, but they don't. Most after-school activities at ES schools are run by parents or others. Virtually all clubs and coaching in MS schools are done by the teachers. There is no comparison.

Why can’t Baroody run middle school activities if teachers aren’t interested?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Is this why Fairfax Co doesn’t have middle school sports?



No. Fairfax Middle Schools start at 7:30am. They have never had the same sports tradition they arlington has. They had intramural after school sports at their schools, just didn’t play against other schools like Arlington does. Maybe because they are further apart and don’t have buses available.

Fairfax Middle Schools did start later than high schools until about 5 years ago. Then, they switched times with the high schools, who used to start first and now start second, with elementary schools still starting last. (They also share the same buses, like Arlington). During that process, some parents wanted elementary schools to start first due to childcare, but that would have meant that small children would have had to wait for buses in the dark in wintertime. Also, just as people here are discussing, people realized that moving middle school times later would interfere with after-school activities.

I went to FCPS in the 1990s. Middle school started first then high school then elem. You are totally wrong about time switch 5 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Seriously? Sorry, I'm not buying it. Teachers go into teaching for whatever reasons; but they take the job they can get that best suits them. Yeah, sure, they're used to their existing schedules and such; but if you're trying to convince people MS teachers can't do a schedule ES teachers do, you're not convincing me. ES teachers can also have a second job or help with after-school activities.

And "people going into the profession" do not know where they're going to be teaching or what that school or school system's bell schedules are beforehand. Bell schedules are not the same everywhere and graduating teachers-to-be don't know where they're going to end up. Like any profession, you can't always be too choosey and you take what you can and work your way through your career to more desirable situations.

Yes, some teachers might have a drastic change to their schedules after this. But you don't make decisions like this just because it's what everyone is used to. APS shouldn't be implementing this next year - that's the consideration they should give staff and parents both who will have to re-arrange logistics.


That was my point. And the people I see complaining aren’t running to second jobs. They are mad because they live in Fairfax and want to avoid traffic.

They can, but they don't. Most after-school activities at ES schools are run by parents or others. Virtually all clubs and coaching in MS schools are done by the teachers. There is no comparison.

Why can’t Baroody run middle school activities if teachers aren’t interested?

Baroody is a rip off. The only people that pay for that are ones that need childcare. Middle school activities are free because teachers staff them. My middle schooler does lots of after school activities and sports. My elem schoolers do none because I refuse to pay $20/hr. And Baroody required masks outdoors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Transportation and most specifically option school bussing is a huge resource suck. Option school busses can take up to an hour to run their route and are very expensive. End option school bussing or make it sliding scale based on ability to pay (like parks and rec). Even better, end the option schools.

💯!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Seriously? Sorry, I'm not buying it. Teachers go into teaching for whatever reasons; but they take the job they can get that best suits them. Yeah, sure, they're used to their existing schedules and such; but if you're trying to convince people MS teachers can't do a schedule ES teachers do, you're not convincing me. ES teachers can also have a second job or help with after-school activities.

And "people going into the profession" do not know where they're going to be teaching or what that school or school system's bell schedules are beforehand. Bell schedules are not the same everywhere and graduating teachers-to-be don't know where they're going to end up. Like any profession, you can't always be too choosey and you take what you can and work your way through your career to more desirable situations.

Yes, some teachers might have a drastic change to their schedules after this. But you don't make decisions like this just because it's what everyone is used to. APS shouldn't be implementing this next year - that's the consideration they should give staff and parents both who will have to re-arrange logistics.


That was my point. And the people I see complaining aren’t running to second jobs. They are mad because they live in Fairfax and want to avoid traffic.

They can, but they don't. Most after-school activities at ES schools are run by parents or others. Virtually all clubs and coaching in MS schools are done by the teachers. There is no comparison.

Why can’t Baroody run middle school activities if teachers aren’t interested?

Baroody is a rip off. The only people that pay for that are ones that need childcare. Middle school activities are free because teachers staff them. My middle schooler does lots of after school activities and sports. My elem schoolers do none because I refuse to pay $20/hr. And Baroody required masks outdoors.

Baroody does not require masks now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


They can, but they don't. Most after-school activities at ES schools are run by parents or others. Virtually all clubs and coaching in MS schools are done by the teachers. There is no comparison.


Why can’t Baroody run middle school activities if teachers aren’t interested?

The MS teachers *are* interested. That's why they would like to keep the schedule the way it is so that they can still run clubs after school. Some of them are very academic-based and shouldn't be run by Baroody.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


They can, but they don't. Most after-school activities at ES schools are run by parents or others. Virtually all clubs and coaching in MS schools are done by the teachers. There is no comparison.


Why can’t Baroody run middle school activities if teachers aren’t interested?

The MS teachers *are* interested. That's why they would like to keep the schedule the way it is so that they can still run clubs after school. Some of them are very academic-based and shouldn't be run by Baroody.

And there's huge value in kids developing a trusted relationship with their teachers in this kind of environment. MS is a difficult time on many levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


They can, but they don't. Most after-school activities at ES schools are run by parents or others. Virtually all clubs and coaching in MS schools are done by the teachers. There is no comparison.


Why can’t Baroody run middle school activities if teachers aren’t interested?

The MS teachers *are* interested. That's why they would like to keep the schedule the way it is so that they can still run clubs after school. Some of them are very academic-based and shouldn't be run by Baroody.

Ok, but there’s no reason outside providers can’t fill in some gaps if needed. I’m sure not all yea hers will decide not to do clubs if the schedule changes.