APS Bell schedule review

[Anonymous]

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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

Yes, it’s so we are on par with neighboring school districts with regard to education hours.

[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.

I would love to only have a 1-week winter break, but when I express that opinion on this board, everyone screams "what about all the people who take international vacations during that time?!?!"

And then there are the people who think it's a travesty that there's no break in February for skiing

[Anonymous]

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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.

You do not know this to be true. We don’t know what other changes would come out of shifting bell times.

+1 If bell times change, everything else will adjust to that! Extracurricular schedules are beholden to school schedules, not the other way around.

There is limited field/gym/pool space. It is logistically to have middle school sports if they get out after high schools. Period.

[Anonymous]

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.

You do not know this to be true. We don’t know what other changes would come out of shifting bell times.

+1 If bell times change, everything else will adjust to that! Extracurricular schedules are beholden to school schedules, not the other way around.

There is limited field/gym/pool space. It is logistically to have middle school sports if they get out after high schools. Period.

Logistically *impossible.

[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.

I would love to only have a 1-week winter break, but when I express that opinion on this board, everyone screams "what about all the people who take international vacations during that time?!?!"

And then there are the people who think it's a travesty that there's no break in February for skiing

It just symbolizes how education has plummeted in Americans' priorities and values. Our wealth and narcissism; the focus on "me" and "my" and "I;" prioritizing the need to always be happy, never be hurt or allow our kids to feel bad; etc. Education is a required filler to be scheduled around accommodating our "busy" and important lives.

[Anonymous]

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.

You do not know this to be true. We don’t know what other changes would come out of shifting bell times.

+1 If bell times change, everything else will adjust to that! Extracurricular schedules are beholden to school schedules, not the other way around.

There is limited field/gym/pool space. It is logistically to have middle school sports if they get out after high schools. Period.

I'm just not understanding this argument. Other than 8th graders playing on the hs teams and any swimming that might occur, do all middle school sports have to use the high school facilities? TJ and Kenmore, at least, have tennis courts and fields available on-site. If other schools use county parks for the courts, that doesn't interfere with high school. And maybe some sports could just meet before school instead of after, if they're that critical.

[Anonymous]

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.

You do not know this to be true. We don’t know what other changes would come out of shifting bell times.

+1 If bell times change, everything else will adjust to that! Extracurricular schedules are beholden to school schedules, not the other way around.

There is limited field/gym/pool space. It is logistically to have middle school sports if they get out after high schools. Period.

I'm just not understanding this argument. Other than 8th graders playing on the hs teams and any swimming that might occur, do all middle school sports have to use the high school facilities? TJ and Kenmore, at least, have tennis courts and fields available on-site. If other schools use county parks for the courts, that doesn't interfere with high school. And maybe some sports could just meet before school instead of after, if they're that critical.

Same with Williamsburg… Soccer, basketball, wrestling, track, ultimate, cheerleading, etc. all done at the school. I think swimming/dive is the one really impacted.

[Anonymous]

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.

You do not know this to be true. We don’t know what other changes would come out of shifting bell times.

+1 If bell times change, everything else will adjust to that! Extracurricular schedules are beholden to school schedules, not the other way around.

There is limited field/gym/pool space. It is logistically to have middle school sports if they get out after high schools. Period.

I'm just not understanding this argument. Other than 8th graders playing on the hs teams and any swimming that might occur, do all middle school sports have to use the high school facilities? TJ and Kenmore, at least, have tennis courts and fields available on-site. If other schools use county parks for the courts, that doesn't interfere with high school. And maybe some sports could just meet before school instead of after, if they're that critical.

Same with Williamsburg… Soccer, basketball, wrestling, track, ultimate, cheerleading, etc. all done at the school. I think swimming/dive is the one really impacted.

Middle school sports are from roughly 3-4pm. After that many middle school gyms and fields are used by high school and club teams. High schools do not have enough space for their own teams. Parks and Rec need the revenue from club teams to make budget. If middle school gets out around 4pm, there are not fields/gyms/pools for them to use.

[Anonymous]

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.

You do not know this to be true. We don’t know what other changes would come out of shifting bell times.

+1 If bell times change, everything else will adjust to that! Extracurricular schedules are beholden to school schedules, not the other way around.

There is limited field/gym/pool space. It is logistically to have middle school sports if they get out after high schools. Period.

I'm just not understanding this argument. Other than 8th graders playing on the hs teams and any swimming that might occur, do all middle school sports have to use the high school facilities? TJ and Kenmore, at least, have tennis courts and fields available on-site. If other schools use county parks for the courts, that doesn't interfere with high school. And maybe some sports could just meet before school instead of after, if they're that critical.

Same with Williamsburg… Soccer, basketball, wrestling, track, ultimate, cheerleading, etc. all done at the school. I think swimming/dive is the one really impacted.

Middle school sports are from roughly 3-4pm. After that many middle school gyms and fields are used by high school and club teams. High schools do not have enough space for their own teams. Parks and Rec need the revenue from club teams to make budget. If middle school gets out around 4pm, there are not fields/gyms/pools for them to use.

I’m not disputing what you’re saying, but could you give a specific example of Arlington middle school fields used for high school? For various reasons we are at certain middle school field several times a week and I don’t see any high school sports going on. Lots of travel sports teams practicing.

[Anonymous]

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.

You do not know this to be true. We don’t know what other changes would come out of shifting bell times.

+1 If bell times change, everything else will adjust to that! Extracurricular schedules are beholden to school schedules, not the other way around.

There is limited field/gym/pool space. It is logistically to have middle school sports if they get out after high schools. Period.

I'm just not understanding this argument. Other than 8th graders playing on the hs teams and any swimming that might occur, do all middle school sports have to use the high school facilities? TJ and Kenmore, at least, have tennis courts and fields available on-site. If other schools use county parks for the courts, that doesn't interfere with high school. And maybe some sports could just meet before school instead of after, if they're that critical.

Same with Williamsburg… Soccer, basketball, wrestling, track, ultimate, cheerleading, etc. all done at the school. I think swimming/dive is the one really impacted.

Middle school sports are from roughly 3-4pm. After that many middle school gyms and fields are used by high school and club teams. High schools do not have enough space for their own teams. Parks and Rec need the revenue from club teams to make budget. If middle school gets out around 4pm, there are not fields/gyms/pools for them to use.

I’m not disputing what you’re saying, but could you give a specific example of Arlington middle school fields used for high school? For various reasons we are at certain middle school field several times a week and I don’t see any high school sports going on. Lots of travel sports teams practicing.

From my experience, high school teams use middle school gyms - 6 high school basketball teams plus cheer and dance don’t fit in the high school gym space. Then club and rec teams use the middle school gyms. Club/travel teams use the fields and pools. I do not know the high school field sport practice schedule. As you say, lots of travel teams use the fields who pay a lot of money for the fields. DPR can’t afford to kick them out. Same for the fees the club swim teams pay for the pools. That income is needed for the maintainer budgets. Middle school sports are free.

Whether middle school sports are needed/valuable is a different question. But I do not believe the space is available for them to operate after 4pm.

[Anonymous]

Many of the YHS teams use the WMS fields for practice, at least during spring season. My YHS athlete has practice at WMS turf regularly.

[Anonymous]

Are travel teams using fields before 5?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are travel teams using fields before 5?

Yes- on some days I see Arlington soccer there by 4 PM. (When picking kids up from discovery)

[Anonymous]

My high schooler’s soccer practice is at WMS. That field is always busy, from the time school lets out to dark. No lights once it’s dark. Lack of field lights is one more limiting factor to enough field time for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My high schooler’s soccer practice is at WMS. That field is always busy, from the time school lets out to dark. No lights once it’s dark. Lack of field lights is one more limiting factor to enough field time for everyone.

The surrounding neighborhood pushed back against lights at Williamsburg, as they didn't want to bring "the wrong crowd" (ie, south arlington minorities who tend to use lighted fields later at night a lot.)
Neighborhood around O'connell also pushed back against lights at O'Connell (yes, I know that's not APS). Point being, it seems to be a lot of north arlington folks complaining about limited field availability; yet north arlington folks also tend to prohibit lights at the fields.

Regardless, if middle school doesn't start until 9:00, then perhaps something could use those fields before school instead of after....like a middle school team.