Proposed APS Calendar Policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's completely insane that extended day isn't open on these days off and teacher work days like it is in FCPS. APS makes it completely impossible to be a two working parent family. So much for the women's revolution. APS is taking us back in time.

or a single-parent family, thank you.

[Anonymous]

Really good piece on calendar from APE newsletter.

https://mailchi.mp/4db164d4ba95/arlingtonparentsforeducation-15346806?e=f85c0f2a61

Teacher's Corner:
Proposed Calendar Policy

(Editor’s Note: From time to time, we will offer a perspective written by an APS parent, teacher, or community member on a topic of concern or interest for APS. What follows has only been lightly edited for clarity.)

I have serious concerns about how many school closures have been scheduled for religious holidays. I don't see an objective standard anywhere in the policy for determining which religious holidays warrant school closure and which merely warrant an observance. I think this opens up APS to potential legal liability for violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. For example, atheists could rightly take issue with placing such a burden on students and families in the name of religion.

The justification for taking so many religious holidays is unclear at best. Inclusivity for all our students and families is a worthy goal. But in this case, the costs surely outweigh the benefits. For example, many of these holidays are not recognized by the federal government or private businesses. This leaves parents with no good options. They can miss work (and jeopardize their career), pay money for childcare (a huge burden on finances), or leave children unsupervised. How does leaving parents in such a difficult situation help the underprivileged in our community? This burden presents a major equity concern, which is disappointing coming from APS, which claims to value equity so highly. Furthermore, closing school so frequently causes a major disruption for students, who need routine and structure to succeed academically (and this is especially true for SPED students and those with IEPs and 504s).

The policy is bad for my secondary students too. Arlington is in the midst of a drug crisis in our schools. As a teacher, I know that everyone within APS knows the terrible damage that fentanyl and other serious drugs have caused this year. But all these planned school closures result in students (especially teenagers) frequently having nowhere productive to go on a weekday when their parents are at work. So much unsupervised, unstructured free time is a lost opportunity for learning and an invitation for tragedy.

There has not been nearly enough outreach to the community about these significant changes to the school schedule. Parents and teachers, in particular, have not been properly informed of the changes nor given the opportunity to provide robust input. Also, teachers are not paid for school closures on holidays. This results in a longer school year for teachers (at the same salary rate) while shortening their summer break opportunities to earn additional income to support their families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really good piece on calendar from APE newsletter.

https://mailchi.mp/4db164d4ba95/arlingtonparentsforeducation-15346806?e=f85c0f2a61

Teacher's Corner:
Proposed Calendar Policy

(Editor’s Note: From time to time, we will offer a perspective written by an APS parent, teacher, or community member on a topic of concern or interest for APS. What follows has only been lightly edited for clarity.)

I have serious concerns about how many school closures have been scheduled for religious holidays. I don't see an objective standard anywhere in the policy for determining which religious holidays warrant school closure and which merely warrant an observance. I think this opens up APS to potential legal liability for violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. For example, atheists could rightly take issue with placing such a burden on students and families in the name of religion.

The justification for taking so many religious holidays is unclear at best. Inclusivity for all our students and families is a worthy goal. But in this case, the costs surely outweigh the benefits. For example, many of these holidays are not recognized by the federal government or private businesses. This leaves parents with no good options. They can miss work (and jeopardize their career), pay money for childcare (a huge burden on finances), or leave children unsupervised. How does leaving parents in such a difficult situation help the underprivileged in our community? This burden presents a major equity concern, which is disappointing coming from APS, which claims to value equity so highly. Furthermore, closing school so frequently causes a major disruption for students, who need routine and structure to succeed academically (and this is especially true for SPED students and those with IEPs and 504s).

The policy is bad for my secondary students too. Arlington is in the midst of a drug crisis in our schools. As a teacher, I know that everyone within APS knows the terrible damage that fentanyl and other serious drugs have caused this year. But all these planned school closures result in students (especially teenagers) frequently having nowhere productive to go on a weekday when their parents are at work. So much unsupervised, unstructured free time is a lost opportunity for learning and an invitation for tragedy.

There has not been nearly enough outreach to the community about these significant changes to the school schedule. Parents and teachers, in particular, have not been properly informed of the changes nor given the opportunity to provide robust input. Also, teachers are not paid for school closures on holidays. This results in a longer school year for teachers (at the same salary rate) while shortening their summer break opportunities to earn additional income to support their families.

I don't disagree with the points in the article. I generally think APE's newsletter is very good and the most informative of anything out there, especially more informative than anything APS issues. However, every time I read one of these "opinion pieces by a teacher or parent," I can't help but believe they're written by the same person or team of people. They all sound alike and are always anonymous. I really think APE should be at least a little less secretive regarding who's actually doing what and put names to these opinion pieces. If they can't do that, they aren't going to convince me they're actually written by a range of teachers and parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really good piece on calendar from APE newsletter.

https://mailchi.mp/4db164d4ba95/arlingtonparentsforeducation-15346806?e=f85c0f2a61

Teacher's Corner:
Proposed Calendar Policy

(Editor’s Note: From time to time, we will offer a perspective written by an APS parent, teacher, or community member on a topic of concern or interest for APS. What follows has only been lightly edited for clarity.)

I have serious concerns about how many school closures have been scheduled for religious holidays. I don't see an objective standard anywhere in the policy for determining which religious holidays warrant school closure and which merely warrant an observance. I think this opens up APS to potential legal liability for violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. For example, atheists could rightly take issue with placing such a burden on students and families in the name of religion.

The justification for taking so many religious holidays is unclear at best. Inclusivity for all our students and families is a worthy goal. But in this case, the costs surely outweigh the benefits. For example, many of these holidays are not recognized by the federal government or private businesses. This leaves parents with no good options. They can miss work (and jeopardize their career), pay money for childcare (a huge burden on finances), or leave children unsupervised. How does leaving parents in such a difficult situation help the underprivileged in our community? This burden presents a major equity concern, which is disappointing coming from APS, which claims to value equity so highly. Furthermore, closing school so frequently causes a major disruption for students, who need routine and structure to succeed academically (and this is especially true for SPED students and those with IEPs and 504s).

The policy is bad for my secondary students too. Arlington is in the midst of a drug crisis in our schools. As a teacher, I know that everyone within APS knows the terrible damage that fentanyl and other serious drugs have caused this year. But all these planned school closures result in students (especially teenagers) frequently having nowhere productive to go on a weekday when their parents are at work. So much unsupervised, unstructured free time is a lost opportunity for learning and an invitation for tragedy.

There has not been nearly enough outreach to the community about these significant changes to the school schedule. Parents and teachers, in particular, have not been properly informed of the changes nor given the opportunity to provide robust input. Also, teachers are not paid for school closures on holidays. This results in a longer school year for teachers (at the same salary rate) while shortening their summer break opportunities to earn additional income to support their families.

I don't disagree with the points in the article. I generally think APE's newsletter is very good and the most informative of anything out there, especially more informative than anything APS issues. However, every time I read one of these "opinion pieces by a teacher or parent," I can't help but believe they're written by the same person or team of people. They all sound alike and are always anonymous. I really think APE should be at least a little less secretive regarding who's actually doing what and put names to these opinion pieces. If they can't do that, they aren't going to convince me they're actually written by a range of teachers and parents.

I’ve seen a few that have really particular viewpoints that sound real. I don’t blame teachers if they don’t want their names signed. I don’t even blame parents tbh. It’s why most of us are here.

Even the last one was by a community volunteer - they talked about volunteering in DC and then APS. That would be a weird thing to fake. It’s probably more that they run opinion pieces by people who share their opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really good piece on calendar from APE newsletter.

https://mailchi.mp/4db164d4ba95/arlingtonparentsforeducation-15346806?e=f85c0f2a61

Teacher's Corner:
Proposed Calendar Policy

(Editor’s Note: From time to time, we will offer a perspective written by an APS parent, teacher, or community member on a topic of concern or interest for APS. What follows has only been lightly edited for clarity.)

I have serious concerns about how many school closures have been scheduled for religious holidays. I don't see an objective standard anywhere in the policy for determining which religious holidays warrant school closure and which merely warrant an observance. I think this opens up APS to potential legal liability for violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. For example, atheists could rightly take issue with placing such a burden on students and families in the name of religion.

The justification for taking so many religious holidays is unclear at best. Inclusivity for all our students and families is a worthy goal. But in this case, the costs surely outweigh the benefits. For example, many of these holidays are not recognized by the federal government or private businesses. This leaves parents with no good options. They can miss work (and jeopardize their career), pay money for childcare (a huge burden on finances), or leave children unsupervised. How does leaving parents in such a difficult situation help the underprivileged in our community? This burden presents a major equity concern, which is disappointing coming from APS, which claims to value equity so highly. Furthermore, closing school so frequently causes a major disruption for students, who need routine and structure to succeed academically (and this is especially true for SPED students and those with IEPs and 504s).

The policy is bad for my secondary students too. Arlington is in the midst of a drug crisis in our schools. As a teacher, I know that everyone within APS knows the terrible damage that fentanyl and other serious drugs have caused this year. But all these planned school closures result in students (especially teenagers) frequently having nowhere productive to go on a weekday when their parents are at work. So much unsupervised, unstructured free time is a lost opportunity for learning and an invitation for tragedy.

There has not been nearly enough outreach to the community about these significant changes to the school schedule. Parents and teachers, in particular, have not been properly informed of the changes nor given the opportunity to provide robust input. Also, teachers are not paid for school closures on holidays. This results in a longer school year for teachers (at the same salary rate) while shortening their summer break opportunities to earn additional income to support their families.

I don't disagree with the points in the article. I generally think APE's newsletter is very good and the most informative of anything out there, especially more informative than anything APS issues. However, every time I read one of these "opinion pieces by a teacher or parent," I can't help but believe they're written by the same person or team of people. They all sound alike and are always anonymous. I really think APE should be at least a little less secretive regarding who's actually doing what and put names to these opinion pieces. If they can't do that, they aren't going to convince me they're actually written by a range of teachers and parents.

I’ve seen a few that have really particular viewpoints that sound real. I don’t blame teachers if they don’t want their names signed. I don’t even blame parents tbh. It’s why most of us are here.

Even the last one was by a community volunteer - they talked about volunteering in DC and then APS. That would be a weird thing to fake. It’s probably more that they run opinion pieces by people who share their opinions.

Or perhaps they’ve seen the deranged posters who are obsessed w ape and they don’t want to use real names. I certainly wouldn’t want to use my real name to criticize my boss as a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really good piece on calendar from APE newsletter.

https://mailchi.mp/4db164d4ba95/arlingtonparentsforeducation-15346806?e=f85c0f2a61

Teacher's Corner:
Proposed Calendar Policy

(Editor’s Note: From time to time, we will offer a perspective written by an APS parent, teacher, or community member on a topic of concern or interest for APS. What follows has only been lightly edited for clarity.)

I have serious concerns about how many school closures have been scheduled for religious holidays. I don't see an objective standard anywhere in the policy for determining which religious holidays warrant school closure and which merely warrant an observance. I think this opens up APS to potential legal liability for violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. For example, atheists could rightly take issue with placing such a burden on students and families in the name of religion.

The justification for taking so many religious holidays is unclear at best. Inclusivity for all our students and families is a worthy goal. But in this case, the costs surely outweigh the benefits. For example, many of these holidays are not recognized by the federal government or private businesses. This leaves parents with no good options. They can miss work (and jeopardize their career), pay money for childcare (a huge burden on finances), or leave children unsupervised. How does leaving parents in such a difficult situation help the underprivileged in our community? This burden presents a major equity concern, which is disappointing coming from APS, which claims to value equity so highly. Furthermore, closing school so frequently causes a major disruption for students, who need routine and structure to succeed academically (and this is especially true for SPED students and those with IEPs and 504s).

The policy is bad for my secondary students too. Arlington is in the midst of a drug crisis in our schools. As a teacher, I know that everyone within APS knows the terrible damage that fentanyl and other serious drugs have caused this year. But all these planned school closures result in students (especially teenagers) frequently having nowhere productive to go on a weekday when their parents are at work. So much unsupervised, unstructured free time is a lost opportunity for learning and an invitation for tragedy.

There has not been nearly enough outreach to the community about these significant changes to the school schedule. Parents and teachers, in particular, have not been properly informed of the changes nor given the opportunity to provide robust input. Also, teachers are not paid for school closures on holidays. This results in a longer school year for teachers (at the same salary rate) while shortening their summer break opportunities to earn additional income to support their families.

I don't disagree with the points in the article. I generally think APE's newsletter is very good and the most informative of anything out there, especially more informative than anything APS issues. However, every time I read one of these "opinion pieces by a teacher or parent," I can't help but believe they're written by the same person or team of people. They all sound alike and are always anonymous. I really think APE should be at least a little less secretive regarding who's actually doing what and put names to these opinion pieces. If they can't do that, they aren't going to convince me they're actually written by a range of teachers and parents.

I’ve seen a few that have really particular viewpoints that sound real. I don’t blame teachers if they don’t want their names signed. I don’t even blame parents tbh. It’s why most of us are here.

Even the last one was by a community volunteer - they talked about volunteering in DC and then APS. That would be a weird thing to fake. It’s probably more that they run opinion pieces by people who share their opinions.

Or perhaps they’ve seen the deranged posters who are obsessed w ape and they don’t want to use real names. I certainly wouldn’t want to use my real name to criticize my boss as a teacher.

I'm the PPP and I've thought the same things. But they all sound like they're written by the same people. I guess I don't see them all - I don't recall the volunteer one. I just think opinion pieces have more credibility with a name. I definitely don't blame teachers. But the other adults could at least use a pseudonym, maybe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really good piece on calendar from APE newsletter.

https://mailchi.mp/4db164d4ba95/arlingtonparentsforeducation-15346806?e=f85c0f2a61

Teacher's Corner:
Proposed Calendar Policy

(Editor’s Note: From time to time, we will offer a perspective written by an APS parent, teacher, or community member on a topic of concern or interest for APS. What follows has only been lightly edited for clarity.)

I have serious concerns about how many school closures have been scheduled for religious holidays. I don't see an objective standard anywhere in the policy for determining which religious holidays warrant school closure and which merely warrant an observance. I think this opens up APS to potential legal liability for violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. For example, atheists could rightly take issue with placing such a burden on students and families in the name of religion.

The justification for taking so many religious holidays is unclear at best. Inclusivity for all our students and families is a worthy goal. But in this case, the costs surely outweigh the benefits. For example, many of these holidays are not recognized by the federal government or private businesses. This leaves parents with no good options. They can miss work (and jeopardize their career), pay money for childcare (a huge burden on finances), or leave children unsupervised. How does leaving parents in such a difficult situation help the underprivileged in our community? This burden presents a major equity concern, which is disappointing coming from APS, which claims to value equity so highly. Furthermore, closing school so frequently causes a major disruption for students, who need routine and structure to succeed academically (and this is especially true for SPED students and those with IEPs and 504s).

The policy is bad for my secondary students too. Arlington is in the midst of a drug crisis in our schools. As a teacher, I know that everyone within APS knows the terrible damage that fentanyl and other serious drugs have caused this year. But all these planned school closures result in students (especially teenagers) frequently having nowhere productive to go on a weekday when their parents are at work. So much unsupervised, unstructured free time is a lost opportunity for learning and an invitation for tragedy.

There has not been nearly enough outreach to the community about these significant changes to the school schedule. Parents and teachers, in particular, have not been properly informed of the changes nor given the opportunity to provide robust input. Also, teachers are not paid for school closures on holidays. This results in a longer school year for teachers (at the same salary rate) while shortening their summer break opportunities to earn additional income to support their families.

I 100% agree with this teacher. Kids need structure and consistency. Extending the school year to accommodate religion is not a fair (and likely unconstitutional) trade off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really good piece on calendar from APE newsletter.

https://mailchi.mp/4db164d4ba95/arlingtonparentsforeducation-15346806?e=f85c0f2a61

Teacher's Corner:
Proposed Calendar Policy

(Editor’s Note: From time to time, we will offer a perspective written by an APS parent, teacher, or community member on a topic of concern or interest for APS. What follows has only been lightly edited for clarity.)

I have serious concerns about how many school closures have been scheduled for religious holidays. I don't see an objective standard anywhere in the policy for determining which religious holidays warrant school closure and which merely warrant an observance. I think this opens up APS to potential legal liability for violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. For example, atheists could rightly take issue with placing such a burden on students and families in the name of religion.

The justification for taking so many religious holidays is unclear at best. Inclusivity for all our students and families is a worthy goal. But in this case, the costs surely outweigh the benefits. For example, many of these holidays are not recognized by the federal government or private businesses. This leaves parents with no good options. They can miss work (and jeopardize their career), pay money for childcare (a huge burden on finances), or leave children unsupervised. How does leaving parents in such a difficult situation help the underprivileged in our community? This burden presents a major equity concern, which is disappointing coming from APS, which claims to value equity so highly. Furthermore, closing school so frequently causes a major disruption for students, who need routine and structure to succeed academically (and this is especially true for SPED students and those with IEPs and 504s).

The policy is bad for my secondary students too. Arlington is in the midst of a drug crisis in our schools. As a teacher, I know that everyone within APS knows the terrible damage that fentanyl and other serious drugs have caused this year. But all these planned school closures result in students (especially teenagers) frequently having nowhere productive to go on a weekday when their parents are at work. So much unsupervised, unstructured free time is a lost opportunity for learning and an invitation for tragedy.

There has not been nearly enough outreach to the community about these significant changes to the school schedule. Parents and teachers, in particular, have not been properly informed of the changes nor given the opportunity to provide robust input. Also, teachers are not paid for school closures on holidays. This results in a longer school year for teachers (at the same salary rate) while shortening their summer break opportunities to earn additional income to support their families.

I don't disagree with the points in the article. I generally think APE's newsletter is very good and the most informative of anything out there, especially more informative than anything APS issues. However, every time I read one of these "opinion pieces by a teacher or parent," I can't help but believe they're written by the same person or team of people. They all sound alike and are always anonymous. I really think APE should be at least a little less secretive regarding who's actually doing what and put names to these opinion pieces. If they can't do that, they aren't going to convince me they're actually written by a range of teachers and parents.

I’ve seen a few that have really particular viewpoints that sound real. I don’t blame teachers if they don’t want their names signed. I don’t even blame parents tbh. It’s why most of us are here.

Even the last one was by a community volunteer - they talked about volunteering in DC and then APS. That would be a weird thing to fake. It’s probably more that they run opinion pieces by people who share their opinions.

Or perhaps they’ve seen the deranged posters who are obsessed w ape and they don’t want to use real names. I certainly wouldn’t want to use my real name to criticize my boss as a teacher.

Yes, this is why. I have seen some of these views expressed in the private teacher group and have had many conversations with coworkers about it as well. It’s hard to speak up when you know people are out to label and misinterpret things.

[Anonymous]

People, people calm down, longer days and shorter summer break create a better schedule for indoctrination.

That is what it is all about. Nothing more nothing less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really good piece on calendar from APE newsletter.

https://mailchi.mp/4db164d4ba95/arlingtonparentsforeducation-15346806?e=f85c0f2a61

Teacher's Corner:
Proposed Calendar Policy

(Editor’s Note: From time to time, we will offer a perspective written by an APS parent, teacher, or community member on a topic of concern or interest for APS. What follows has only been lightly edited for clarity.)

I have serious concerns about how many school closures have been scheduled for religious holidays. I don't see an objective standard anywhere in the policy for determining which religious holidays warrant school closure and which merely warrant an observance. I think this opens up APS to potential legal liability for violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. For example, atheists could rightly take issue with placing such a burden on students and families in the name of religion.

The justification for taking so many religious holidays is unclear at best. Inclusivity for all our students and families is a worthy goal. But in this case, the costs surely outweigh the benefits. For example, many of these holidays are not recognized by the federal government or private businesses. This leaves parents with no good options. They can miss work (and jeopardize their career), pay money for childcare (a huge burden on finances), or leave children unsupervised. How does leaving parents in such a difficult situation help the underprivileged in our community? This burden presents a major equity concern, which is disappointing coming from APS, which claims to value equity so highly. Furthermore, closing school so frequently causes a major disruption for students, who need routine and structure to succeed academically (and this is especially true for SPED students and those with IEPs and 504s).

The policy is bad for my secondary students too. Arlington is in the midst of a drug crisis in our schools. As a teacher, I know that everyone within APS knows the terrible damage that fentanyl and other serious drugs have caused this year. But all these planned school closures result in students (especially teenagers) frequently having nowhere productive to go on a weekday when their parents are at work. So much unsupervised, unstructured free time is a lost opportunity for learning and an invitation for tragedy.

There has not been nearly enough outreach to the community about these significant changes to the school schedule. Parents and teachers, in particular, have not been properly informed of the changes nor given the opportunity to provide robust input. Also, teachers are not paid for school closures on holidays. This results in a longer school year for teachers (at the same salary rate) while shortening their summer break opportunities to earn additional income to support their families.

I 100% agree with this teacher. Kids need structure and consistency. Extending the school year to accommodate religion is not a fair (and likely unconstitutional) trade off.

The teacher is likely referencing the state law which Fairfax county seems to do better following when formulating the calendar but APS seems to ignore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just received a reminder email that the public comment period to provide feedback on the draft school year calendar policy ends on Fri, May 19.

Great just found this 3 days late LOL.
It's usually not terrible EXCEPT for spring break! Spring break should be fixed to the 2nd full week or 3rd full week of April depending on how many weeks of school (9 or 10) remain after the break! It was a bit early this year and stands to be even earlier (in March) next year and is not consistent (if tied to Easter) and sometimes too early if Easter is early to mid range!

Two weeks before Labor Day and ending on a Wednesday/Thursday/Friday before Juneteenth is doable except when there is a September 1 or 2 Labor Day coupled with the following Juneteenth on a Thursday or Friday which makes the school year a week longer like in 2024-25, 2025-26.

[Anonymous]

You all do realize that putting minority religions on the school calendar for equity just opens you up to Christian nationalism right? Get ready for people to start up Evangelical prayers at football games and 10 commandments statues going up at schools. Maybe gifted classes will have intelligent design lessons as well.

[Anonymous]

When are they deciding this? I can't even find it on the engage portion of the website anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When are they deciding this? I can't even find it on the engage portion of the website anymore.

Comment window is closed but I think school board is supposed to vote in July. TBH APS made it impossible to submit anything useful.

But you can always send an email to school board or make a public comment at a meeting. Honestly they were never going to look at the comments submitted.

[Anonymous]

Does this calendar policy mean that syphax employees will get paid for all these holidays? s teacher on AEM shared her public comment about syphax getting paid for all these new days but teachers aren’t.