Cancelling the last days of school in FCPS b/c so few snow days

[Anonymous]

I admit that the kids get NOTHING out of the last Mon. and few hours of the last Tues. at school (end of the school year), but the idea that the administration would consider cancelling days of school just b/c they didn't get enough days off from snow is a terrible example of where their priorities are. I grew up in a part of the country where we went to school unless there were blizzard conditions. This area has so many wimps when it comes to the administrators and the parents. They SAY education comes first, but really it doesn't.

Do you think the cancellation idea is going to pass? I suspect it will just because it doesn't cost anything to take away days.

I wish they would (a) start before Labor Day, and (b) end the school year on a Friday every year.

[Anonymous]

There are three extra days worked into the school year calendar to allow for snow days. When we don't need them for snow we "get them back" at the end of the year. It's always been done this way. A few years ago, they used two extra days to make the first weekend of June a four day weekend, which was kind of weird. Usually, people prefer just having the school year shortened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are three extra days worked into the school year calendar to allow for snow days. When we don't need them for snow we "get them back" at the end of the year. It's always been done this way. A few years ago, they used two extra days to make the first weekend of June a four day weekend, which was kind of weird. Usually, people prefer just having the school year shortened.

That's the worst reason imaginable to do something.

[Anonymous]

So is it pretty much a done deal?

[Anonymous]

I wonder how Fairfax County will handle SACC? Fairfax County SACC extends past the last day of school to go the full week.

[Anonymous]

I asked our SACC folks that yesterday. They said that SACC will make the decision after FCPS decides what to do... but they did say it is likely they'll be open that full week (June 18-22) for full day care.

[Anonymous]

I asked our SACC folks that yesterday. They said that SACC will make the decision after FCPS decides what to do... but they did say it is likely they'll be open that full week (June 18-22) for full day care.

[Anonymous]

[darn double post]

[Anonymous]

Teachers and staff are paid on a specific number of days worked. The school calendar has a set number (say 3) of snow days worked into the schedule. The school would have to pay the teachers and staff extra to work those days. That is not in the budget. So the school adjusts the schedule. Which part is confusing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are three extra days worked into the school year calendar to allow for snow days. When we don't need them for snow we "get them back" at the end of the year. It's always been done this way. A few years ago, they used two extra days to make the first weekend of June a four day weekend, which was kind of weird. Usually, people prefer just having the school year shortened.

That's the worst reason imaginable to do something.

Would it be a better idea to not schedule the extra days and then have to add to the school year each June?


"It's always been done this way" in this case is not a reason, it is simply an explanation of how schools do their calendar planning, that's all. It is generally easier in our climate to plan in advance for snow days than to wait and see what happens and then add extra school days at the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

i think it's great they will shorten the school year and save some money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked our SACC folks that yesterday. They said that SACC will make the decision after FCPS decides what to do... but they did say it is likely they'll be open that full week (June 18-22) for full day care.

Thanks for the info!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers and staff are paid on a specific number of days worked. The school calendar has a set number (say 3) of snow days worked into the schedule. The school would have to pay the teachers and staff extra to work those days. That is not in the budget. So the school adjusts the schedule. Which part is confusing?

This is not true. I am a teacher in FCPS and we will still be expected to come in both Monday and Tuesday as Teacher Workdays. So, our year will still end at the same time. Only the students will get out early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers and staff are paid on a specific number of days worked. The school calendar has a set number (say 3) of snow days worked into the schedule. The school would have to pay the teachers and staff extra to work those days. That is not in the budget. So the school adjusts the schedule. Which part is confusing?

This is not true. I am a teacher in FCPS and we will still be expected to come in both Monday and Tuesday as Teacher Workdays. So, our year will still end at the same time. Only the students will get out early.

So is there any money savings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers and staff are paid on a specific number of days worked. The school calendar has a set number (say 3) of snow days worked into the schedule. The school would have to pay the teachers and staff extra to work those days. That is not in the budget. So the school adjusts the schedule. Which part is confusing?

This is not true. I am a teacher in FCPS and we will still be expected to come in both Monday and Tuesday as Teacher Workdays. So, our year will still end at the same time. Only the students will get out early.

So is there any money savings?

Not as far as teachers' salaries go. We still get paid the same. Maybe there would be some savings because the buses are not running.