APS Bell schedule review

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem fair that kids at HB get all the benefits of what is essentially a publicly funded private school, while also taking a sports team slot away from some other kid stuck attending a mega-school.

Yes. APS has a gross interpretation of equity and whenever it's used a justification for a policy you know it's bad:

- no new instruction spring 2020
- no more days spring 2021
- ipads for everyone = everyone on ipads all time
- option schools
- option school bussing
- HBW (all of it is absurd)
- no homework
- standards based grading
- VMPI (abandoned thank god before it could do damage)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:quick question - how would the a later MS time impact those 8th graders that may make a high school JV sports team?

I'm in favor of a later time for my middle schooler but he is also very active after school in activities (at school) and outside school. He loves it and he NEEDS all the physical activity he can get.

If middle school got out later, they would not be able to participate in most high school sports. Practices would start before middle school ends. And little to no middle school sports would be an option.

How many MS kids participate in HS sports? This is a thing?

Also, it’s not any different than kids at HB who go to their “home” HS for sports. They do it, so can the 5 MS kids who play HS sports.

Good point. HB ends latest and they’ve found a way to make it work

For HS. Kids at HB cannot participate in MS sports.

But that's because they don't have MS sports at HB to begin with. HS students go back to their neighborhood HS for sports (except Ultimate). Do MS go back to their home MS for sports now?

To clarify, some MS kids (eg Swanson) okay on their high School (eg W&L) when they are in eighth grade. It’s a way of playing up.

Do we know how many kids actually do this?

Eighth graders a can tryout for football, field hockey, volleyball, cross country, softball, baseball, lacrosse and crew- those sports they don’t offer at the middle school level.

So if the MS move to be on the same bell that HB is currently on, this unique scenario shouldn’t be a problem since HB kids are able to get to their “home” HS in time to participate in sports. The handful of 8th graders that this applies to can also get to their HS sports practices, too.

No, that wouldn't work. Students in HS at HB are able to do this by making their free block (most HS students have them because there are 8 blocks but most kids take 7 classes) at the end of the day and so they leave at the start of the 8th block to go to their home schools. However MS students at HB have 8 classes so they don't have a free block to be able to leave early. I think allowing HS students to participate in home school sports has to do with VHSL access as opposed to MS sports aren't something everyone is entitled to do, it's more like an intramural and not governed by VHSL but run by APS. For example FCPS has no middle school sports.

Oh well. I guess 210 HB middle schoolers just have to live with their choice to attend HB and relinquish official APS sports teams.

Uh, yeah. Or just play rec/ travel sports. Good lord, the entitlement.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid at HB. I am totally fine with no sports for middle schoolers. It was never a consideration for me to worry about. At the HS level, there are a few HB kids who go back at the end of the day for team practices during the season for their sport. It's a very small number. I'm sorry you are so butthurt about it but luckily you don't get to make the decision about that.

I do think that consideration needs to be made for all high schools and the career center. The earlier start for career center aligns with first period at the big HS programs and before HB starts to allow these students to take career center classes and I'm sure that will still be a consideration moving forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:quick question - how would the a later MS time impact those 8th graders that may make a high school JV sports team?

I'm in favor of a later time for my middle schooler but he is also very active after school in activities (at school) and outside school. He loves it and he NEEDS all the physical activity he can get.

If middle school got out later, they would not be able to participate in most high school sports. Practices would start before middle school ends. And little to no middle school sports would be an option.

How many MS kids participate in HS sports? This is a thing?

Also, it’s not any different than kids at HB who go to their “home” HS for sports. They do it, so can the 5 MS kids who play HS sports.

Good point. HB ends latest and they’ve found a way to make it work

For HS. Kids at HB cannot participate in MS sports.

But that's because they don't have MS sports at HB to begin with. HS students go back to their neighborhood HS for sports (except Ultimate). Do MS go back to their home MS for sports now?

To clarify, some MS kids (eg Swanson) okay on their high School (eg W&L) when they are in eighth grade. It’s a way of playing up.

Do we know how many kids actually do this?

Eighth graders a can tryout for football, field hockey, volleyball, cross country, softball, baseball, lacrosse and crew- those sports they don’t offer at the middle school level.

So if the MS move to be on the same bell that HB is currently on, this unique scenario shouldn’t be a problem since HB kids are able to get to their “home” HS in time to participate in sports. The handful of 8th graders that this applies to can also get to their HS sports practices, too.

DP. It sounds like you’re suggesting that would be a bad thing, but perhaps I am misreading your tone.

You misread my tone. I was saying that if HB HS students had time to return to their HS for sports, so could 8th grade neighborhood MS students who “play up” on HS teams. But I wasn’t aware that the HB HS students have to leave early during a “free block.” Guess that wouldn’t apply for 8th graders at neighborhood schools. But this must be such a small number of students, it can’t be the reason the don’t change the bell schedules to be better aligned with developmental stages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:quick question - how would the a later MS time impact those 8th graders that may make a high school JV sports team?

I'm in favor of a later time for my middle schooler but he is also very active after school in activities (at school) and outside school. He loves it and he NEEDS all the physical activity he can get.

If middle school got out later, they would not be able to participate in most high school sports. Practices would start before middle school ends. And little to no middle school sports would be an option.

How many MS kids participate in HS sports? This is a thing?

Also, it’s not any different than kids at HB who go to their “home” HS for sports. They do it, so can the 5 MS kids who play HS sports.

Good point. HB ends latest and they’ve found a way to make it work

For HS. Kids at HB cannot participate in MS sports.

But that's because they don't have MS sports at HB to begin with. HS students go back to their neighborhood HS for sports (except Ultimate). Do MS go back to their home MS for sports now?

To clarify, some MS kids (eg Swanson) okay on their high School (eg W&L) when they are in eighth grade. It’s a way of playing up.

Do we know how many kids actually do this?

Eighth graders a can tryout for football, field hockey, volleyball, cross country, softball, baseball, lacrosse and crew- those sports they don’t offer at the middle school level.

So if the MS move to be on the same bell that HB is currently on, this unique scenario shouldn’t be a problem since HB kids are able to get to their “home” HS in time to participate in sports. The handful of 8th graders that this applies to can also get to their HS sports practices, too.

No, that wouldn't work. Students in HS at HB are able to do this by making their free block (most HS students have them because there are 8 blocks but most kids take 7 classes) at the end of the day and so they leave at the start of the 8th block to go to their home schools. However MS students at HB have 8 classes so they don't have a free block to be able to leave early. I think allowing HS students to participate in home school sports has to do with VHSL access as opposed to MS sports aren't something everyone is entitled to do, it's more like an intramural and not governed by VHSL but run by APS. For example FCPS has no middle school sports.

Oh well. I guess 210 HB middle schoolers just have to live with their choice to attend HB and relinquish official APS sports teams.

Uh, yeah. Or just play rec/ travel sports. Good lord, the entitlement.

No one in this thread is really arguing for it anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

Who is insisting on 2 week break? I hate the two week break but the calendar surveys have never included a 1 week option. I’d rather have one week break in December Xmas-New Years, 1 week in February, 1 week in April (not tied to Easter just pick one and keep it the same). Get rid of all religious holidays and have school for 185 days so we have a 5 day cushion for snow days. The religious holiday stuff is so nonsense. When did the woke crowd forget about separation of church and state. Kids miss school all the time for all sorts of reasons and religious observations should be excused absences. We don’t stop new material or teaching for kids being sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

Who is insisting on 2 week break? I hate the two week break but the calendar surveys have never included a 1 week option. I’d rather have one week break in December Xmas-New Years, 1 week in February, 1 week in April (not tied to Easter just pick one and keep it the same). Get rid of all religious holidays and have school for 185 days so we have a 5 day cushion for snow days. The religious holiday stuff is so nonsense. When did the woke crowd forget about separation of church and state. Kids miss school all the time for all sorts of reasons and religious observations should be excused absences. We don’t stop new material or teaching for kids being sick.

They used to include 1-week options; but so many people advocated for 2 weeks over the past few years and only 2-week options are even offered now.

"Separation of church and state" is precisely why winter break isn't called "Christmas break." Schools also consider the fact that certain days tend to have very high absenteeism which negatively impacts instruction for those who DO attend because teachers find it necessary to "review" for so many kids who were absent. Not saying that's what they should do; but it's the practical implication of high absence hindering moving forward with the curriculum.

I'd prefer eliminating early release days and minimizing disruption of instruction. Do people realize it was October before there was a full 5-day week of school this past year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

Who is insisting on 2 week break? I hate the two week break but the calendar surveys have never included a 1 week option. I’d rather have one week break in December Xmas-New Years, 1 week in February, 1 week in April (not tied to Easter just pick one and keep it the same). Get rid of all religious holidays and have school for 185 days so we have a 5 day cushion for snow days. The religious holiday stuff is so nonsense. When did the woke crowd forget about separation of church and state. Kids miss school all the time for all sorts of reasons and religious observations should be excused absences. We don’t stop new material or teaching for kids being sick.

They used to include 1-week options; but so many people advocated for 2 weeks over the past few years and only 2-week options are even offered now.

"Separation of church and state" is precisely why winter break isn't called "Christmas break." Schools also consider the fact that certain days tend to have very high absenteeism which negatively impacts instruction for those who DO attend because teachers find it necessary to "review" for so many kids who were absent. Not saying that's what they should do; but it's the practical implication of high absence hindering moving forward with the curriculum.

I'd prefer eliminating early release days and minimizing disruption of instruction. Do people realize it was October before there was a full 5-day week of school this past year?

If high absenteeism was the reason for the new holidays that would be one thing. Were those rates ever shared? All I ever heard were justifications about inclusivity and feelings. I’m not anti-inclusivity but APS has really gone overboard with holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

Who is insisting on 2 week break? I hate the two week break but the calendar surveys have never included a 1 week option. I’d rather have one week break in December Xmas-New Years, 1 week in February, 1 week in April (not tied to Easter just pick one and keep it the same). Get rid of all religious holidays and have school for 185 days so we have a 5 day cushion for snow days. The religious holiday stuff is so nonsense. When did the woke crowd forget about separation of church and state. Kids miss school all the time for all sorts of reasons and religious observations should be excused absences. We don’t stop new material or teaching for kids being sick.

They used to include 1-week options; but so many people advocated for 2 weeks over the past few years and only 2-week options are even offered now.

"Separation of church and state" is precisely why winter break isn't called "Christmas break." Schools also consider the fact that certain days tend to have very high absenteeism which negatively impacts instruction for those who DO attend because teachers find it necessary to "review" for so many kids who were absent. Not saying that's what they should do; but it's the practical implication of high absence hindering moving forward with the curriculum.

I'd prefer eliminating early release days and minimizing disruption of instruction. Do people realize it was October before there was a full 5-day week of school this past year?

If high absenteeism was the reason for the new holidays that would be one thing. Were those rates ever shared? All I ever heard were justifications about inclusivity and feelings. I’m not anti-inclusivity but APS has really gone overboard with holidays.

I agree. It would be good to see the absence rates for the various religious holidays and for there to be a standard % absenteeism to qualify for a district-wide day off. But it still come down to discriminating against minority religions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

Who is insisting on 2 week break? I hate the two week break but the calendar surveys have never included a 1 week option. I’d rather have one week break in December Xmas-New Years, 1 week in February, 1 week in April (not tied to Easter just pick one and keep it the same). Get rid of all religious holidays and have school for 185 days so we have a 5 day cushion for snow days. The religious holiday stuff is so nonsense. When did the woke crowd forget about separation of church and state. Kids miss school all the time for all sorts of reasons and religious observations should be excused absences. We don’t stop new material or teaching for kids being sick.

They used to include 1-week options; but so many people advocated for 2 weeks over the past few years and only 2-week options are even offered now.

"Separation of church and state" is precisely why winter break isn't called "Christmas break." Schools also consider the fact that certain days tend to have very high absenteeism which negatively impacts instruction for those who DO attend because teachers find it necessary to "review" for so many kids who were absent. Not saying that's what they should do; but it's the practical implication of high absence hindering moving forward with the curriculum.

I'd prefer eliminating early release days and minimizing disruption of instruction. Do people realize it was October before there was a full 5-day week of school this past year?

If high absenteeism was the reason for the new holidays that would be one thing. Were those rates ever shared? All I ever heard were justifications about inclusivity and feelings. I’m not anti-inclusivity but APS has really gone overboard with holidays.

I agree. It would be good to see the absence rates for the various religious holidays and for there to be a standard % absenteeism to qualify for a district-wide day off. But it still come down to discriminating against minority religions.

I agree with this. If a large portion of APS students or teachers celebrate these holidays, that’s one thing. This was not the impression I got. And they will not make Lunar New Year a holiday because it’s not religious. The problem is that you can’t possibly account for every religious holiday anyone might celebrate. Christmas is a federal holiday, so no school then. Other than that, just make it so no tests are given on religious holidays of any kind. APS already excuses the absences. Having a fall break or any days off more than one at a time would be better than a Tuesday here & a Thursday there scattered throughout the year. Or just have a longer summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

Who is insisting on 2 week break? I hate the two week break but the calendar surveys have never included a 1 week option. I’d rather have one week break in December Xmas-New Years, 1 week in February, 1 week in April (not tied to Easter just pick one and keep it the same). Get rid of all religious holidays and have school for 185 days so we have a 5 day cushion for snow days. The religious holiday stuff is so nonsense. When did the woke crowd forget about separation of church and state. Kids miss school all the time for all sorts of reasons and religious observations should be excused absences. We don’t stop new material or teaching for kids being sick.

They used to include 1-week options; but so many people advocated for 2 weeks over the past few years and only 2-week options are even offered now.

"Separation of church and state" is precisely why winter break isn't called "Christmas break." Schools also consider the fact that certain days tend to have very high absenteeism which negatively impacts instruction for those who DO attend because teachers find it necessary to "review" for so many kids who were absent. Not saying that's what they should do; but it's the practical implication of high absence hindering moving forward with the curriculum.

I'd prefer eliminating early release days and minimizing disruption of instruction. Do people realize it was October before there was a full 5-day week of school this past year?

If high absenteeism was the reason for the new holidays that would be one thing. Were those rates ever shared? All I ever heard were justifications about inclusivity and feelings. I’m not anti-inclusivity but APS has really gone overboard with holidays.

I agree. It would be good to see the absence rates for the various religious holidays and for there to be a standard % absenteeism to qualify for a district-wide day off. But it still come down to discriminating against minority religions.

I agree with this. If a large portion of APS students or teachers celebrate these holidays, that’s one thing. This was not the impression I got. And they will not make Lunar New Year a holiday because it’s not religious. The problem is that you can’t possibly account for every religious holiday anyone might celebrate. Christmas is a federal holiday, so no school then. Other than that, just make it so no tests are given on religious holidays of any kind. APS already excuses the absences. Having a fall break or any days off more than one at a time would be better than a Tuesday here & a Thursday there scattered throughout the year. Or just have a longer summer.

Was there ever a survey done on the holidays. I haven’t met anyone IRL that is happy about the holiday situation, including me (mom of Jewish family).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

Who is insisting on 2 week break? I hate the two week break but the calendar surveys have never included a 1 week option. I’d rather have one week break in December Xmas-New Years, 1 week in February, 1 week in April (not tied to Easter just pick one and keep it the same). Get rid of all religious holidays and have school for 185 days so we have a 5 day cushion for snow days. The religious holiday stuff is so nonsense. When did the woke crowd forget about separation of church and state. Kids miss school all the time for all sorts of reasons and religious observations should be excused absences. We don’t stop new material or teaching for kids being sick.

They used to include 1-week options; but so many people advocated for 2 weeks over the past few years and only 2-week options are even offered now.

"Separation of church and state" is precisely why winter break isn't called "Christmas break." Schools also consider the fact that certain days tend to have very high absenteeism which negatively impacts instruction for those who DO attend because teachers find it necessary to "review" for so many kids who were absent. Not saying that's what they should do; but it's the practical implication of high absence hindering moving forward with the curriculum.

I'd prefer eliminating early release days and minimizing disruption of instruction. Do people realize it was October before there was a full 5-day week of school this past year?

If high absenteeism was the reason for the new holidays that would be one thing. Were those rates ever shared? All I ever heard were justifications about inclusivity and feelings. I’m not anti-inclusivity but APS has really gone overboard with holidays.

I agree. It would be good to see the absence rates for the various religious holidays and for there to be a standard % absenteeism to qualify for a district-wide day off. But it still come down to discriminating against minority religions.

I agree with this. If a large portion of APS students or teachers celebrate these holidays, that’s one thing. This was not the impression I got. And they will not make Lunar New Year a holiday because it’s not religious. The problem is that you can’t possibly account for every religious holiday anyone might celebrate. Christmas is a federal holiday, so no school then. Other than that, just make it so no tests are given on religious holidays of any kind. APS already excuses the absences. Having a fall break or any days off more than one at a time would be better than a Tuesday here & a Thursday there scattered throughout the year. Or just have a longer summer.

Was there ever a survey done on the holidays. I haven’t met anyone IRL that is happy about the holiday situation, including me (mom of Jewish family).

I think the only people who have expressed "happiness" about the additional holidays APS has incorporated into the calendar are the 'righteous' AEM folks who don't even celebrate or observe those holidays, but who insist they should be observed on behalf of minority groups who might observe them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

Who is insisting on 2 week break? I hate the two week break but the calendar surveys have never included a 1 week option. I’d rather have one week break in December Xmas-New Years, 1 week in February, 1 week in April (not tied to Easter just pick one and keep it the same). Get rid of all religious holidays and have school for 185 days so we have a 5 day cushion for snow days. The religious holiday stuff is so nonsense. When did the woke crowd forget about separation of church and state. Kids miss school all the time for all sorts of reasons and religious observations should be excused absences. We don’t stop new material or teaching for kids being sick.

They used to include 1-week options; but so many people advocated for 2 weeks over the past few years and only 2-week options are even offered now.

"Separation of church and state" is precisely why winter break isn't called "Christmas break." Schools also consider the fact that certain days tend to have very high absenteeism which negatively impacts instruction for those who DO attend because teachers find it necessary to "review" for so many kids who were absent. Not saying that's what they should do; but it's the practical implication of high absence hindering moving forward with the curriculum.

I'd prefer eliminating early release days and minimizing disruption of instruction. Do people realize it was October before there was a full 5-day week of school this past year?

If high absenteeism was the reason for the new holidays that would be one thing. Were those rates ever shared? All I ever heard were justifications about inclusivity and feelings. I’m not anti-inclusivity but APS has really gone overboard with holidays.

I agree. It would be good to see the absence rates for the various religious holidays and for there to be a standard % absenteeism to qualify for a district-wide day off. But it still come down to discriminating against minority religions.

I agree with this. If a large portion of APS students or teachers celebrate these holidays, that’s one thing. This was not the impression I got. And they will not make Lunar New Year a holiday because it’s not religious. The problem is that you can’t possibly account for every religious holiday anyone might celebrate. Christmas is a federal holiday, so no school then. Other than that, just make it so no tests are given on religious holidays of any kind. APS already excuses the absences. Having a fall break or any days off more than one at a time would be better than a Tuesday here & a Thursday there scattered throughout the year. Or just have a longer summer.

Was there ever a survey done on the holidays. I haven’t met anyone IRL that is happy about the holiday situation, including me (mom of Jewish family).

I think the only people who have expressed "happiness" about the additional holidays APS has incorporated into the calendar are the 'righteous' AEM folks who don't even celebrate or observe those holidays, but who insist they should be observed on behalf of minority groups who might observe them.

They are insufferable. How in the world do we change this? Was there ever a survey about holidays? And fairfax is observing same holiday next year but starts a week earlier. And that, my friends, is why we have to argue and extra 10 mins a day. Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are they adding time to each day? I'd like to start later for my high schooler without adding more time on at the back end, thus making practices end even later than they currently do.

Because of all the extra holidays. They need to make up the days by adding time. The holiday stuff has gotten out of control. School should be secular.

But they already took away a week of summer. The kids do not need longer school days. Argh.

If people would stop insisting for two weeks for winter break, they could get out a week earlier for the summer.

Who is insisting on 2 week break? I hate the two week break but the calendar surveys have never included a 1 week option. I’d rather have one week break in December Xmas-New Years, 1 week in February, 1 week in April (not tied to Easter just pick one and keep it the same). Get rid of all religious holidays and have school for 185 days so we have a 5 day cushion for snow days. The religious holiday stuff is so nonsense. When did the woke crowd forget about separation of church and state. Kids miss school all the time for all sorts of reasons and religious observations should be excused absences. We don’t stop new material or teaching for kids being sick.

They used to include 1-week options; but so many people advocated for 2 weeks over the past few years and only 2-week options are even offered now.

"Separation of church and state" is precisely why winter break isn't called "Christmas break." Schools also consider the fact that certain days tend to have very high absenteeism which negatively impacts instruction for those who DO attend because teachers find it necessary to "review" for so many kids who were absent. Not saying that's what they should do; but it's the practical implication of high absence hindering moving forward with the curriculum.

I'd prefer eliminating early release days and minimizing disruption of instruction. Do people realize it was October before there was a full 5-day week of school this past year?

If high absenteeism was the reason for the new holidays that would be one thing. Were those rates ever shared? All I ever heard were justifications about inclusivity and feelings. I’m not anti-inclusivity but APS has really gone overboard with holidays.

I agree. It would be good to see the absence rates for the various religious holidays and for there to be a standard % absenteeism to qualify for a district-wide day off. But it still come down to discriminating against minority religions.

I agree with this. If a large portion of APS students or teachers celebrate these holidays, that’s one thing. This was not the impression I got. And they will not make Lunar New Year a holiday because it’s not religious. The problem is that you can’t possibly account for every religious holiday anyone might celebrate. Christmas is a federal holiday, so no school then. Other than that, just make it so no tests are given on religious holidays of any kind. APS already excuses the absences. Having a fall break or any days off more than one at a time would be better than a Tuesday here & a Thursday there scattered throughout the year. Or just have a longer summer.

Was there ever a survey done on the holidays. I haven’t met anyone IRL that is happy about the holiday situation, including me (mom of Jewish family).

I think the only people who have expressed "happiness" about the additional holidays APS has incorporated into the calendar are the 'righteous' AEM folks who don't even celebrate or observe those holidays, but who insist they should be observed on behalf of minority groups who might observe them.

They are insufferable. How in the world do we change this? Was there ever a survey about holidays? And fairfax is observing same holiday next year but starts a week earlier. And that, my friends, is why we have to argue and extra 10 mins a day. Ridiculous.

I thought The extra 10 minutes are because we have the shortest days