Is the 22-23 Calendar designed to be an f-u to parents?

[Anonymous]

For all the parents saying screw this, I did. I had a kid at TJ who had to be back for summer classes, then sport and a kid at the base school with a similar situation. And one week for vacation. And I decided we were doing a big family trip to Europe before my older kid graduated. So, I talked to their counselors and explained we needed some family time, and the APs signed off and the kids knew months in advance and scheduled final papers, projects and exams early. And there were no issues and no teachers griped— across 2 different HS.

The next summer was COVID. I am so thankful we travelled when did. It was an amazing trip, and as it turned out, most teachers wrapped up before finals week and getting out early didn’t mean my kids were working 20 hours a day. It did not affect grades. Certainly didn’t affect admissions.

If your kid is in ES or MS, do it. COVID should have taught us to seize chances when they come. And for HS, it can be done. Just talk to the counselor or AP in advance and hold the line of needing family time. They cancel so much school and don’t teach on so many O Days. I don’t want to hear that my kids will be academically harmed by a week in Europe and not school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't any different from any other year. I have a HS senior, and in grade school Mondays were all half days. 4.5 day, then home on the bus. Tuesday-Friday were full day.

If FCPS wanted to F with you, they would go back to half-day Mondays. This schedule isn't bad.

I kind of agree. As a parent of a k and 2nd grader, I'd rather have this then an endless summer during which they can forget everything they learned over the past year.

I do wish there were more 5 day weeks. Structure is good for everyone and it might even help with all the learning loss resulting from past two years. Which we're not supposed to notice or acknowledge.

How nice. Wait until you have HS kids. Then you basically have 8 weeks of summer, or less. They have to start going back at the end of July for sports and activities. You'll be where we are in no time. And kiss your vacations goodbye.

This seems very dramatic for the fact they're basically shortening summer by 1 week.

Not really. that period before July 4 is basically most people (with older kids) free time in the summer. After that, green days start, then sports and other activities requiring them to be at the school. Not all of it is athletics. Plus orientation, etc. So, forget for summer travel and much true summer after that.

Now if your kid does no activities or you have little kids, this may not be true.

I expect we'll be missing some days in June, depending on test dates.

Three more years of this sh-- then Im done.

I don't understand this thinking at all. You're mad because the fact that you have a kid who has activities and they interfere with your vacation schedule? Seriously? How tone deaf and insular do you have to be?

[Anonymous]

I, for one, love the new schedule.

It allows us a family to do quick, luxurious vacations when other families have school. Halloween weekend is perfect for a trip to Hilton Head. The two weeks off for winter break is perfect for seeing both families. January- quick pops over for Ski trips. April is perfect for Hawaii.

I understand the backlash. But considering the average household income of the county- I’m not quite sure the complaints here side with the majority. Even when you look at the survey results- 2/3 of the population is generally happy with the calendar.

I prefer long weekends over random half days. I prefer the ability to go away and see family on those long weekends.

I feel bad for those of you who want the kids in school all of the time. But you really should look at the school calendars for other counties. Loudoun is very similar to our. Stafford is a poop show. MCPS- similar.

As for working or single parents not being able to do this- this is why you pay for SACC. This is why SACC exists. It’s super affordable and scaled based on poverty levels.

Finally- for those of you who can’t afford any vacation- which is about 30%- look at other county school calendars. It is the same. Find a county that you like better and post it. We will encourage you to move there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, love the new schedule.

It allows us a family to do quick, luxurious vacations when other families have school. Halloween weekend is perfect for a trip to Hilton Head. The two weeks off for winter break is perfect for seeing both families. January- quick pops over for Ski trips. April is perfect for Hawaii.

I understand the backlash. But considering the average household income of the county- I’m not quite sure the complaints here side with the majority. Even when you look at the survey results- 2/3 of the population is generally happy with the calendar.

I prefer long weekends over random half days. I prefer the ability to go away and see family on those long weekends.

I feel bad for those of you who want the kids in school all of the time. But you really should look at the school calendars for other counties. Loudoun is very similar to our. Stafford is a poop show. MCPS- similar.

As for working or single parents not being able to do this- this is why you pay for SACC. This is why SACC exists. It’s super affordable and scaled based on poverty levels.

Finally- for those of you who can’t afford any vacation- which is about 30%- look at other county school calendars. It is the same. Find a county that you like better and post it. We will encourage you to move there!

You are correct, but just because all school calendars contain unnecessary disruptions does not mean that it is not worth considering alternatives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't any different from any other year. I have a HS senior, and in grade school Mondays were all half days. 4.5 day, then home on the bus. Tuesday-Friday were full day.

If FCPS wanted to F with you, they would go back to half-day Mondays. This schedule isn't bad.

I kind of agree. As a parent of a k and 2nd grader, I'd rather have this then an endless summer during which they can forget everything they learned over the past year.

I do wish there were more 5 day weeks. Structure is good for everyone and it might even help with all the learning loss resulting from past two years. Which we're not supposed to notice or acknowledge.

How nice. Wait until you have HS kids. Then you basically have 8 weeks of summer, or less. They have to start going back at the end of July for sports and activities. You'll be where we are in no time. And kiss your vacations goodbye.

This seems very dramatic for the fact they're basically shortening summer by 1 week.

Not really. that period before July 4 is basically most people (with older kids) free time in the summer. After that, green days start, then sports and other activities requiring them to be at the school. Not all of it is athletics. Plus orientation, etc. So, forget for summer travel and much true summer after that.

Now if your kid does no activities or you have little kids, this may not be true.

I expect we'll be missing some days in June, depending on test dates.

Three more years of this sh-- then Im done.

I don't understand this thinking at all. You're mad because the fact that you have a kid who has activities and they interfere with your vacation schedule? Seriously? How tone deaf and insular do you have to be?

Why? These are valid concerns. We value family time. And we do that through travel (and not always to some exotic place). We also have many family and friends out of the area. I'm sorry you can't or don't want to engage in that sort of thing but many do.
And as far as activities - are you on here much? Reading the college board? Those things are vital and good for physical and mental well being. So they are good for kids to do.

And to be clear, I'm not complaining that i have a kid with activities that interfere with travel. I'm complaining that the school is taking away additional time in the summer for us to do things as a family.

[Anonymous]

I have a high schooler and we travel extensively. But we recognized at some point that my kid has separate interests and needs and school stuff comes first. It's part of having kids--things shift and evolve as they age.

At any rate, I still don't see how losing one week in the summer is significant.

[Anonymous]

Adding 4 days in June does nothing to help prepare he kids for APS which is why we are starting so early. They only added those days because of the dumb new idea to give everyone off for the Jewish holiday and Diwali. Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Adding 4 days in June does nothing to help prepare he kids for APS which is why we are starting so early. They only added those days because of the dumb new idea to give everyone off for the Jewish holiday and Diwali. Ridiculous.

I meant APs as in AP exams.

[Anonymous]

Why don't they just let parents determine the calendar?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a high schooler and we travel extensively. But we recognized at some point that my kid has separate interests and needs and school stuff comes first. It's part of having kids--things shift and evolve as they age.

At any rate, I still don't see how losing one week in the summer is significant.

Reasonable. I knew someone who wouldn't let her kids do marching band because it interfered with annual trip to the beach. Then, she was upset because kids couldn't be in the band...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a high schooler and we travel extensively. But we recognized at some point that my kid has separate interests and needs and school stuff comes first. It's part of having kids--things shift and evolve as they age.

At any rate, I still don't see how losing one week in the summer is significant.

Reasonable. I knew someone who wouldn't let her kids do marching band because it interfered with annual trip to the beach. Then, she was upset because kids couldn't be in the band...

I think some of you are misconstruing the prior post, which is NOT saying the kid can't participate or doesn't come first or can't have different interests.

Significance is relative. And that one week is significant to us for a bunch of additional days that we don't need off or that could be found elsewhere in the schedule. And, yes, I did participate and give feedback on this issue. I'm not complaining after the fact.

[Anonymous]

Why isn't Lunar New Year a holiday? I'm pretty certain there are more people who celibrate it than some of the other holidays added.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't Lunar New Year a holiday? I'm pretty certain there are more people who celibrate it than some of the other holidays added.

It is on a Sunday in 2023. That is why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't Lunar New Year a holiday? I'm pretty certain there are more people who celibrate it than some of the other holidays added.

It is on a Sunday in 2023. That is why.

Yup and the following school year Diwali, Rosh Hashana and Lunar New Year are on a weekend. So the 2023-2024 school year will prob get out earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't Lunar New Year a holiday? I'm pretty certain there are more people who celibrate it than some of the other holidays added.

It is on a Sunday in 2023. That is why.

Yup and the following school year Diwali, Rosh Hashana and Lunar New Year are on a weekend. So the 2023-2024 school year will prob get out earlier.

Lets hope they move to 990 hours instead of 180 days the following year too.