Is the 22-23 Calendar designed to be an f-u to parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, love the new schedule.

It allows us a family to do quick, luxurious vacations when other families have school. Halloween weekend is perfect for a trip to Hilton Head. The two weeks off for winter break is perfect for seeing both families. January- quick pops over for Ski trips. April is perfect for Hawaii.

I understand the backlash. But considering the average household income of the county- I’m not quite sure the complaints here side with the majority. Even when you look at the survey results- 2/3 of the population is generally happy with the calendar.

I prefer long weekends over random half days. I prefer the ability to go away and see family on those long weekends.

I feel bad for those of you who want the kids in school all of the time. But you really should look at the school calendars for other counties. Loudoun is very similar to our. Stafford is a poop show. MCPS- similar.

As for working or single parents not being able to do this- this is why you pay for SACC. This is why SACC exists. It’s super affordable and scaled based on poverty levels.

Finally- for those of you who can’t afford any vacation- which is about 30%- look at other county school calendars. It is the same. Find a county that you like better and post it. We will encourage you to move there!

You can’t be real. If you’re so rich, why oh why are your children attending FCPS?

Some people like their local public school. Shocking, I know.

Huh. Every wealthy person in my neighborhood sends their kids to private or boarding. I know that others make different choices. Interesting. Thank you.

I live in a wealthy neighborhood and everyone does public HS. It's a mix for ES and MS.

[Anonymous]

HS kids are stressed out of their minds. I welcome all the mini-breaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, love the new schedule.

It allows us a family to do quick, luxurious vacations when other families have school. Halloween weekend is perfect for a trip to Hilton Head. The two weeks off for winter break is perfect for seeing both families. January- quick pops over for Ski trips. April is perfect for Hawaii.

I understand the backlash. But considering the average household income of the county- I’m not quite sure the complaints here side with the majority. Even when you look at the survey results- 2/3 of the population is generally happy with the calendar.

I prefer long weekends over random half days. I prefer the ability to go away and see family on those long weekends.

I feel bad for those of you who want the kids in school all of the time. But you really should look at the school calendars for other counties. Loudoun is very similar to our. Stafford is a poop show. MCPS- similar.

As for working or single parents not being able to do this- this is why you pay for SACC. This is why SACC exists. It’s super affordable and scaled based on poverty levels.

Finally- for those of you who can’t afford any vacation- which is about 30%- look at other county school calendars. It is the same. Find a county that you like better and post it. We will encourage you to move there!

You can’t be real. If you’re so rich, why oh why are your children attending FCPS?

NP. As someone that is wealthy and (at least in theory) has more options, I'll answer it from my perspective. Secular private schools are hard to come by, for one thing. And by virtue of being private, these schools are essentially a self selected group from certain socio-economic background. I think it does children a disservice by having them grow up in a bubble where they are not exposed to people that live and think differently from they do. So, DD goes to our local public school. Thing is, she is a child of privilege. And just from that, she will do just fine in life, without going to private schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, love the new schedule.

It allows us a family to do quick, luxurious vacations when other families have school. Halloween weekend is perfect for a trip to Hilton Head. The two weeks off for winter break is perfect for seeing both families. January- quick pops over for Ski trips. April is perfect for Hawaii.

I understand the backlash. But considering the average household income of the county- I’m not quite sure the complaints here side with the majority. Even when you look at the survey results- 2/3 of the population is generally happy with the calendar.

I prefer long weekends over random half days. I prefer the ability to go away and see family on those long weekends.

I feel bad for those of you who want the kids in school all of the time. But you really should look at the school calendars for other counties. Loudoun is very similar to our. Stafford is a poop show. MCPS- similar.

As for working or single parents not being able to do this- this is why you pay for SACC. This is why SACC exists. It’s super affordable and scaled based on poverty levels.

Finally- for those of you who can’t afford any vacation- which is about 30%- look at other county school calendars. It is the same. Find a county that you like better and post it. We will encourage you to move there!

You can’t be real. If you’re so rich, why oh why are your children attending FCPS?

So anyone with the money avoids FCPS like they avoid other products and services of low quality?

Oh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all the parents saying screw this, I did. I had a kid at TJ who had to be back for summer classes, then sport and a kid at the base school with a similar situation. And one week for vacation. And I decided we were doing a big family trip to Europe before my older kid graduated. So, I talked to their counselors and explained we needed some family time, and the APs signed off and the kids knew months in advance and scheduled final papers, projects and exams early. And there were no issues and no teachers griped— across 2 different HS.

The next summer was COVID. I am so thankful we travelled when did. It was an amazing trip, and as it turned out, most teachers wrapped up before finals week and getting out early didn’t mean my kids were working 20 hours a day. It did not affect grades. Certainly didn’t affect admissions.

If your kid is in ES or MS, do it. COVID should have taught us to seize chances when they come. And for HS, it can be done. Just talk to the counselor or AP in advance and hold the line of needing family time. They cancel so much school and don’t teach on so many O Days. I don’t want to hear that my kids will be academically harmed by a week in Europe and not school.

What? We’re wondering how we can get kids in school so we can work and your response is ‘go to Europe’? This highlights exactly how out of touch both this area and school board really are. Wow

LOL! Let them eat cake.

The person posting was simply making the point that you should try not to let FCPS and their operations rule your life. If there’s something you want to do and you can do try not to let the school schedule hinder you. For her it’s a family vacation to Europe, for me it might be a road trip to Ohio for a big family wedding.

The world can change in an instant and some opportunities and events are worth missing school.

DCUM posters are the most TONE DEAF women and men in America. Dear ladies and gentlemen of the UMC to uber rich/family money/too wealthy to fail crowd, THE REST OF US HAVE TO WORK FOR A LIVING!! We have day jobs. 9-5, M-F, as it were. What in the name of good god do you not understand about that? What, never had to work in your lives? Oh, I get it now. I operate a business that I cannot leave. Many of us in this country depend on schools for the education of our children where they should be for most of the day during the school year.

And to all those folks that say "you shouldn't depend on schools to take care of your children", please. Sit the F down. Compulsory schooling laws have been in place in this country for nearly 200 years. 200 YEARS! Parents and families have had a reasonable reliance on public schools for two centuries for the care of children during the better part of the day. It has also been mandated by law that we send our kids off during the day. As such, the cultural normals and societal expectation during this time has been that children are in school during the day. It has been that way for generations so that parents have a) been able to work; and b) created a cultural routine around that reasonable (nay, obligatory) reliance. It is UNREASONABLE for schools to be closing during that compulsory schooling period at excessive intervals where parents have FT jobs and work obligations and cannot find one-off back up care.

The school board closures for holidays are mere virtue signaling. It does nothing to bring children back from the pandemic, create an more reliable routine, or put education first. Virginia families sent a strong message in November as to what their priorities were and school board did not listen. Now I did not vote Youngkin this year, but I am 100% not re-electing this school board next year. They did not get the message and I think most parents will remember.

You know nothing about my current situation or what my financial/work picture are. And I don't take direction from you. So, no. I will not sit down. You need to check yourself.

+100%, the calendars have had issues for over a decade, and that is nothing new!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HS kids are stressed out of their minds. I welcome all the mini-breaks.

We love the breaks for our HS’er.

[Anonymous]

For every parent on this board complaining about the calendar, there is another who is fine with it. The county will not please everyone. It is done and over with. I don’t see how this thread is useful at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, love the new schedule.

It allows us a family to do quick, luxurious vacations when other families have school. Halloween weekend is perfect for a trip to Hilton Head. The two weeks off for winter break is perfect for seeing both families. January- quick pops over for Ski trips. April is perfect for Hawaii.

I understand the backlash. But considering the average household income of the county- I’m not quite sure the complaints here side with the majority. Even when you look at the survey results- 2/3 of the population is generally happy with the calendar.

I prefer long weekends over random half days. I prefer the ability to go away and see family on those long weekends.

I feel bad for those of you who want the kids in school all of the time. But you really should look at the school calendars for other counties. Loudoun is very similar to our. Stafford is a poop show. MCPS- similar.

As for working or single parents not being able to do this- this is why you pay for SACC. This is why SACC exists. It’s super affordable and scaled based on poverty levels.

Finally- for those of you who can’t afford any vacation- which is about 30%- look at other county school calendars. It is the same. Find a county that you like better and post it. We will encourage you to move there!

You can’t be real. If you’re so rich, why oh why are your children attending FCPS?

NP. As someone that is wealthy and (at least in theory) has more options, I'll answer it from my perspective. Secular private schools are hard to come by, for one thing. And by virtue of being private, these schools are essentially a self selected group from certain socio-economic background. I think it does children a disservice by having them grow up in a bubble where they are not exposed to people that live and think differently from they do. So, DD goes to our local public school. Thing is, she is a child of privilege. And just from that, she will do just fine in life, without going to private schools.

^^^^ this.

Our kids live in privilege too. Private school isn’t really something we believe in because the schools here are more than adequate and if our kids are able to rank high in these schools they have a better chance at college. Religious schools are terrible at math and science and our kids have a good chance of getting into TJ and would have a better chance in public vs private.

If we sent our kids to private, we weren’t sure they would place as high with kids who have more money than us. And there are a lot of parents like that too.

Finally- I know people are upset but the people I have talked to today are excited. We want to do quick trips and have fun with our kids. Or take a break from school pressure. It’s all good from our perspective.

It’s going to be awesome next year.

[Anonymous]

Most of the parents who are upset have young kids who need someone to watch them and the ones who are happy with the calendar have older kids who can fend for themselves and need the break. Here is the good news, your young kids will grow up and you will welcome this gift of breaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For every parent on this board complaining about the calendar, there is another who is fine with it. The county will not please everyone. It is done and over with. I don’t see how this thread is useful at this point.

Ha! This is DCUM! There does not need to be a use to the arguing. People can debate whatever they want to debate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of the parents who are upset have young kids who need someone to watch them and the ones who are happy with the calendar have older kids who can fend for themselves and need the break. Here is the good news, your young kids will grow up and you will welcome this gift of breaks.

This sounds like it is coming from someone who is a SAHM or works from home.

Here's a little secret: MS and HS kids also need to be in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For every parent on this board complaining about the calendar, there is another who is fine with it. The county will not please everyone. It is done and over with. I don’t see how this thread is useful at this point.

Ha! This is DCUM! There does not need to be a use to the arguing. People can debate whatever they want to debate.

I think the PP meant that there will be viewpoints on both sides and no one will be happy. Which is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I, for one, love the new schedule.

It allows us a family to do quick, luxurious vacations when other families have school. Halloween weekend is perfect for a trip to Hilton Head. The two weeks off for winter break is perfect for seeing both families. January- quick pops over for Ski trips. April is perfect for Hawaii.

I understand the backlash. But considering the average household income of the county- I’m not quite sure the complaints here side with the majority. Even when you look at the survey results- 2/3 of the population is generally happy with the calendar.

I prefer long weekends over random half days. I prefer the ability to go away and see family on those long weekends.

I feel bad for those of you who want the kids in school all of the time. But you really should look at the school calendars for other counties. Loudoun is very similar to our. Stafford is a poop show. MCPS- similar.

As for working or single parents not being able to do this- this is why you pay for SACC. This is why SACC exists. It’s super affordable and scaled based on poverty levels.

Finally- for those of you who can’t afford any vacation- which is about 30%- look at other county school calendars. It is the same. Find a county that you like better and post it. We will encourage you to move there!

You can’t be real. If you’re so rich, why oh why are your children attending FCPS?

NP. As someone that is wealthy and (at least in theory) has more options, I'll answer it from my perspective. Secular private schools are hard to come by, for one thing. And by virtue of being private, these schools are essentially a self selected group from certain socio-economic background. I think it does children a disservice by having them grow up in a bubble where they are not exposed to people that live and think differently from they do. So, DD goes to our local public school. Thing is, she is a child of privilege. And just from that, she will do just fine in life, without going to private schools.

^^^^ this.

Our kids live in privilege too. Private school isn’t really something we believe in because the schools here are more than adequate and if our kids are able to rank high in these schools they have a better chance at college. Religious schools are terrible at math and science and our kids have a good chance of getting into TJ and would have a better chance in public vs private.

If we sent our kids to private, we weren’t sure they would place as high with kids who have more money than us. And there are a lot of parents like that too.

Finally- I know people are upset but the people I have talked to today are excited. We want to do quick trips and have fun with our kids. Or take a break from school pressure. It’s all good from our perspective.

It’s going to be awesome next year.

Come back and post with updates on how your plans went.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think summer break is too long? I think it’s actually too short! I prefer the mid June end and starting after Labor Day.

Agree. It is far too short. It is ridiculous that school gets out so late. It is the same number of days just stretched out. Seems easier to have a routine over a longer summer period. Actually I’d prefer a trimester system with longer in between breaks than the usual death by a thousand cuts approach.

I would love a trimester system! Or the standard year-round timeline: 9 weeks in school, 3 weeks off, with a 5 week "summer" break between grade levels. (But since we can't even switch to the metric system in the US, this is just a dream.)

Some schools in the Raleigh metro area are like this .. 9 weeks in school, 3 weeks off year round + 2 weeks off winter break and 5 weeks summer vacation. It was great. There are several “track out camps” options for the 3 weeks breaks. So no problem for working parents. Kids went back to school refreshed after those breaks. Also, the short summer vacation meant the summer slide was lesser. Most importantly, families could go to popular vacation spots during the non-peak times because of those 3 weeks breaks.

So disrupt the whole school calendar (change to year round school) so families can travel easier? Ok….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think summer break is too long? I think it’s actually too short! I prefer the mid June end and starting after Labor Day.

Agree. It is far too short. It is ridiculous that school gets out so late. It is the same number of days just stretched out. Seems easier to have a routine over a longer summer period. Actually I’d prefer a trimester system with longer in between breaks than the usual death by a thousand cuts approach.

I would love a trimester system! Or the standard year-round timeline: 9 weeks in school, 3 weeks off, with a 5 week "summer" break between grade levels. (But since we can't even switch to the metric system in the US, this is just a dream.)

Some schools in the Raleigh metro area are like this .. 9 weeks in school, 3 weeks off year round + 2 weeks off winter break and 5 weeks summer vacation. It was great. There are several “track out camps” options for the 3 weeks breaks. So no problem for working parents. Kids went back to school refreshed after those breaks. Also, the short summer vacation meant the summer slide was lesser. Most importantly, families could go to popular vacation spots during the non-peak times because of those 3 weeks breaks.

So disrupt the whole school calendar (change to year round school) so families can travel easier? Ok….

I don't know about "most important," but sure, thats a good reason. The school is here to serve us, not the other way around.