MSDE isn't actually forcing MCPS to change the calendar next year like this, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Technically it’s the school board not MSDE and the issue is that MCPS’ current calendar has makeup days after Juneteenth next year which they’re saying is a no go. The makeup days have to be before that which is why they’re proposing starting earlier so they don’t have to touch the holidays they’ve added over the years

Right, but since MSDE is only asking for 3 makeup days, they could just delete the additional ones after Juneteenth, right, and still be eligible for an MSDE waiver if needed?

Or they could just keep the calendar as is and the only issue would be that they wouldn't get a waiver next year if there are lots of snow days?

No, with the makeup days would need to end by Juneteenth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly I have never cared about Easter Monday but in many cultures it is important. Kind of of like New Year's Day. People usually celebrate New Years Eve but need New Year's Day to recover. And maybe we don't care about that but it could have attendance impacts as large or larger than other holidays the DCUM crowd doesn't care about.

I don’t care how important any holiday is. What should matter is whether there is an operational impact. That is what MCPS is required to assess in deciding whether to close schools; it explicitly cannot use religion, per BOE policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly I have never cared about Easter Monday but in many cultures it is important. Kind of of like New Year's Day. People usually celebrate New Years Eve but need New Year's Day to recover. And maybe we don't care about that but it could have attendance impacts as large or larger than other holidays the DCUM crowd doesn't care about.

I don’t care how important any holiday is. What should matter is whether there is an operational impact. That is what MCPS is required to assess in deciding whether to close schools; it explicitly cannot use religion, per BOE policy.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly I have never cared about Easter Monday but in many cultures it is important. Kind of of like New Year's Day. People usually celebrate New Years Eve but need New Year's Day to recover. And maybe we don't care about that but it could have attendance impacts as large or larger than other holidays the DCUM crowd doesn't care about.

[Anonymous]

To MCPS: Get rid of the November 9 and April 22, 2027 off days.
To MSDE: Replace the 180 school day requirement with a case by community vote. REQUIRE each community to set their calendars and required days based on community preference with the majority vote being honored. The hours law would remain the same on all levels unless elementary school kids feel their days are too long.
Require that schools begin no earlier than the last Monday in August and end no later than the Friday before the 3rd Monday in June OR begin no earlier than the 2nd to last Monday in August and end no later than the Friday before the 2nd Monday in June. No schools should begin before the 2nd to last Monday in August and no schools should end after Juneteenth.
Makeup time. If schools go under the required hours they would have to makeup that difference. The day requirements would be # scheduled days MINUS three with state of emergency day closures being forgiven from the day requirements (not the hours). If schools are closed five days with a maximum of one state of emergency day or at least six days regardless of state or emergency days, schools can choose to be open on one of Good Friday or Easter Monday.