FCPS School Calendar Survey

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love the idea of a set spring break, say the last week in March every year. Would be great some years to not pay peak travel prices!

I like it too, but suggested they add a vacation day for Easter, since many will be out anyway.

[Anonymous]

^after labor day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^after labor day

This was for the post when I accidentally said school started on labor day.

[Anonymous]

Ditto, AFTER laborday is preferred and one week later in June.
I hate getting out early... not warm enough at the beach until late June.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ditto, AFTER laborday is preferred and one week later in June.
I hate getting out early... not warm enough at the beach until late June.

It's ALL about your beach vacay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ditto, AFTER laborday is preferred and one week later in June.
I hate getting out early... not warm enough at the beach until late June.

It's ALL about your beach vacay?

DP. But it’s just as good as any other reason, IMO.
There is really no academic reason to start earlier. The only possible benefit is for AP exams. I already mentioned how the SOL schedule was already backloaded as much as possible under the post Labor Day start. I don’t see how an earlier start would affect study time for the SATs or ACTs because those are both offered multiple times during the year (both offered 7x a year). Finally, I think starting earlier is even possibly a “wash” for those taking AP exams. The common app is released every year on 8/1. Starting earlier in august gives those students less time to work on college apps before school begins.

[Anonymous]

I said week before labor day, No Columbus or Veterans' day, shorter winter break, set Spring break at end of March, and get out 2nd week in June.

[Anonymous]

If there is a set spring break, they'd likely need to give off Good Friday and Easter Monday. Changing spring break each year to match up with Easter works to avoid having to give off those days for a religious holiday.

2 weeks at Christmas seems extreme sometimes, especially next year when that second week is going into January. I believe the school board voted on that a few years ago to be a set thing.

I liked starting earlier this year and glad we get out June 15!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there is a set spring break, they'd likely need to give off Good Friday and Easter Monday. Changing spring break each year to match up with Easter works to avoid having to give off those days for a religious holiday.

2 weeks at Christmas seems extreme sometimes, especially next year when that second week is going into January. I believe the school board voted on that a few years ago to be a set thing.

I liked starting earlier this year and glad we get out June 15!

I can’t opine on whether they’d close for Good Friday, but historically Easter Monday has been a teacher workday and in the 2018-2019 calendar the kids & teachers are back in school that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree and said so in my survey. I like the after Labor Day start and one week later in June end.

It may depend on what age your kids are.

I have little kids and teens.

Starting in August and getting out in early June is the best option for both age groups.

Little kids are bored by the end of August and eager to get back to school and their friends.

They shut down soon after the SOLs and by June all they want is to get out of school. There is very little productive learning happening in elementary schools in June. It essentially becomes babysitting time for 3 weeks.

+1. ^This^

[Anonymous]

Why can’t they start after Labor Day and get out in early June? The two weeks of built in snow days keeps my kid in public in school two weeks longer than my kid in private, and both meet the minimum number of days for the state of va.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree and said so in my survey. I like the after Labor Day start and one week later in June end.

It may depend on what age your kids are.

I have little kids and teens.

Starting in August and getting out in early June is the best option for both age groups.

Little kids are bored by the end of August and eager to get back to school and their friends.

They shut down soon after the SOLs and by June all they want is to get out of school. There is very little productive learning happening in elementary schools in June. It essentially becomes babysitting time for 3 weeks.

+1. ^This^

Wait until you get to HS. My dc’s IB math grade will be finalized in early May.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there is a set spring break, they'd likely need to give off Good Friday and Easter Monday. Changing spring break each year to match up with Easter works to avoid having to give off those days for a religious holiday.

2 weeks at Christmas seems extreme sometimes, especially next year when that second week is going into January. I believe the school board voted on that a few years ago to be a set thing.

I liked starting earlier this year and glad we get out June 15!

Are they both really "religious holidays"? Good Friday is a Federal Holiday I believe but not Easter Monday. I'd say the only purpose of "Easter Monday" as a holiday is so people don't have to travel home the day after Easter. And be careful talking about giving off for religious holidays... how about Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If there is a set spring break, they'd likely need to give off Good Friday and Easter Monday. Changing spring break each year to match up with Easter works to avoid having to give off those days for a religious holiday.

2 weeks at Christmas seems extreme sometimes, especially next year when that second week is going into January. I believe the school board voted on that a few years ago to be a set thing.

I liked starting earlier this year and glad we get out June 15!

Are they both really "religious holidays"? Good Friday is a Federal Holiday I believe but not Easter Monday. I'd say the only purpose of "Easter Monday" as a holiday is so people don't have to travel home the day after Easter. And be careful talking about giving off for religious holidays... how about Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Passover, etc.?

Just so it’s clear - neither Good Friday nor Easter Monday are federal govt holidays

[Anonymous]

Good Friday is not a Federal holiday.