MCPS updated calendar is insane

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we not agree that this year is extremely unusual?? Just because people want exceptions this year doesn't mean it should be or would be a permanent thing. I think if people are loud enough, the board will hear and hopefully amend next year's calendar. It's not too late, as they already amended one day in September 2026 that was slated to be off that is now a school day.

Are you new here? This has been ongoing. Not just this year

+1

It is also going to be a problem next year because the reduced amount of meaningful instructional time is a feature not a bug of the choices MCPS and the BOE have made

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we not agree that this year is extremely unusual?? Just because people want exceptions this year doesn't mean it should be or would be a permanent thing. I think if people are loud enough, the board will hear and hopefully amend next year's calendar. It's not too late, as they already amended one day in September 2026 that was slated to be off that is now a school day.

Are you new here? This has been ongoing. Not just this year

This happened last year. Same thing. Same discussion. Just more snow days this year. MCPS never learns, and prefers to act like a lazy teenager half assing their plans. BOE never holds them accountable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grading and planning days are essential. You can get rid of them if you want but it will be to the detriment of students. Having the day off means we can carefully go through grades and make sure there are no mistakes. It also gives us a few hours to grade stuff. Finally it gives teachers time to reflect and do some planning for future lessons. Take it away and many of us will just hastily throw something together for planning purposes. Think of some of your kids teachers who you like and who do a good job. Good teaching doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of planning and effort. And trying new things.

In HS there are 8 periods. Teachers have classes for 5-6 periods at most. The school day is exactly 7.5hrs.

Most salary employees work 9-10hrs a day. Many catch up at night too.

I think teachers do not get paid well enough and I would argue for more half days for grading. But full days off are not productive in my opinion. You just had 4 days off. There will be a long Spring Break in late March/early April. Being against April 15th is absolutely ridiculous. Could have made it half day easily.

When the teachers and MCPS are not flexible, why should the state be?

Agree 100%

If MCPS actually went to school 5 days a week, I may have more sympathy for teachers and their need for full days off to grade. But they don't because they are off for every known holiday and then also when it flurries. As well as morning delays and other half days. Do teachers not understand that OTHER working parents that are not teachers, do not have that luxury and struggle with finding daycare, camps, babysitters for all of these days off and snow days and delayed openings, etc... I feel like kids are never in school. So your union denying April 15th after all these days off and after a long Spring Break seems a bit much, no?

If you can’t handle snow days, you shoulda lived in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grading and planning days are essential. You can get rid of them if you want but it will be to the detriment of students. Having the day off means we can carefully go through grades and make sure there are no mistakes. It also gives us a few hours to grade stuff. Finally it gives teachers time to reflect and do some planning for future lessons. Take it away and many of us will just hastily throw something together for planning purposes. Think of some of your kids teachers who you like and who do a good job. Good teaching doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of planning and effort. And trying new things.

In HS there are 8 periods. Teachers have classes for 5-6 periods at most. The school day is exactly 7.5hrs.

Most salary employees work 9-10hrs a day. Many catch up at night too.

I think teachers do not get paid well enough and I would argue for more half days for grading. But full days off are not productive in my opinion. You just had 4 days off. There will be a long Spring Break in late March/early April. Being against April 15th is absolutely ridiculous. Could have made it half day easily.

When the teachers and MCPS are not flexible, why should the state be?

Agree 100%

If MCPS actually went to school 5 days a week, I may have more sympathy for teachers and their need for full days off to grade. But they don't because they are off for every known holiday and then also when it flurries. As well as morning delays and other half days. Do teachers not understand that OTHER working parents that are not teachers, do not have that luxury and struggle with finding daycare, camps, babysitters for all of these days off and snow days and delayed openings, etc... I feel like kids are never in school. So your union denying April 15th after all these days off and after a long Spring Break seems a bit much, no?

If you can’t handle snow days, you shoulda lived in DC.

Yes, that's the answer right? Move to DCPS where they don't close the second there's ice on the road. Move to Anne Arundel or Baltimore or Alexandraia VA where they have a virtual learning plan in place and used it during the last snowstorm. Move to NYC which opened in person 1 day after the snowstorm, while MCPS waited 7 days. Move to FCPS which opens 1 week earlier in August than MCPS so that it can build an appropriate amount of snow days in the calendar.

Pretty much every place is managing the snow better than MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grading and planning days are essential. You can get rid of them if you want but it will be to the detriment of students. Having the day off means we can carefully go through grades and make sure there are no mistakes. It also gives us a few hours to grade stuff. Finally it gives teachers time to reflect and do some planning for future lessons. Take it away and many of us will just hastily throw something together for planning purposes. Think of some of your kids teachers who you like and who do a good job. Good teaching doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of planning and effort. And trying new things.

In HS there are 8 periods. Teachers have classes for 5-6 periods at most. The school day is exactly 7.5hrs.

Most salary employees work 9-10hrs a day. Many catch up at night too.

I think teachers do not get paid well enough and I would argue for more half days for grading. But full days off are not productive in my opinion. You just had 4 days off. There will be a long Spring Break in late March/early April. Being against April 15th is absolutely ridiculous. Could have made it half day easily.

When the teachers and MCPS are not flexible, why should the state be?

Agree 100%

If MCPS actually went to school 5 days a week, I may have more sympathy for teachers and their need for full days off to grade. But they don't because they are off for every known holiday and then also when it flurries. As well as morning delays and other half days. Do teachers not understand that OTHER working parents that are not teachers, do not have that luxury and struggle with finding daycare, camps, babysitters for all of these days off and snow days and delayed openings, etc... I feel like kids are never in school. So your union denying April 15th after all these days off and after a long Spring Break seems a bit much, no?

Teacher here: Do you not understand that the teachers are NOT involved in the poor calendar planning? The MCPS calendar is absurd. We hardly ever have a full week of school at this point due to all of the days off. Teachers, probably more than anyone, want to return to a time when the school year starts and ends at a reasonable time but that continues at a steady pace for the school year's duration. The communities that are advocating to have every religious holiday off and the state and local powers that be that want days and days of professional development have no idea that the inconsistency of the calendar is contributing to how much our students are falling behind. We had four days off last weekend, which requires me to spend time just reactivating my students' thinking about that we covered a handful of days ago. If we'd go to school regularly and really get into a routine, we have to do far less of this and could keep the learning going at a steadier pace and in a more effective way. It is NOT the teachers who are advocating for endless days off during the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grading and planning days are essential. You can get rid of them if you want but it will be to the detriment of students. Having the day off means we can carefully go through grades and make sure there are no mistakes. It also gives us a few hours to grade stuff. Finally it gives teachers time to reflect and do some planning for future lessons. Take it away and many of us will just hastily throw something together for planning purposes. Think of some of your kids teachers who you like and who do a good job. Good teaching doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of planning and effort. And trying new things.

In HS there are 8 periods. Teachers have classes for 5-6 periods at most. The school day is exactly 7.5hrs.

Most salary employees work 9-10hrs a day. Many catch up at night too.

I think teachers do not get paid well enough and I would argue for more half days for grading. But full days off are not productive in my opinion. You just had 4 days off. There will be a long Spring Break in late March/early April. Being against April 15th is absolutely ridiculous. Could have made it half day easily.

When the teachers and MCPS are not flexible, why should the state be?

Agree 100%

If MCPS actually went to school 5 days a week, I may have more sympathy for teachers and their need for full days off to grade. But they don't because they are off for every known holiday and then also when it flurries. As well as morning delays and other half days. Do teachers not understand that OTHER working parents that are not teachers, do not have that luxury and struggle with finding daycare, camps, babysitters for all of these days off and snow days and delayed openings, etc... I feel like kids are never in school. So your union denying April 15th after all these days off and after a long Spring Break seems a bit much, no?

Teacher here: Do you not understand that the teachers are NOT involved in the poor calendar planning? The MCPS calendar is absurd. We hardly ever have a full week of school at this point due to all of the days off. Teachers, probably more than anyone, want to return to a time when the school year starts and ends at a reasonable time but that continues at a steady pace for the school year's duration. The communities that are advocating to have every religious holiday off and the state and local powers that be that want days and days of professional development have no idea that the inconsistency of the calendar is contributing to how much our students are falling behind. We had four days off last weekend, which requires me to spend time just reactivating my students' thinking about that we covered a handful of days ago. If we'd go to school regularly and really get into a routine, we have to do far less of this and could keep the learning going at a steadier pace and in a more effective way. It is NOT the teachers who are advocating for endless days off during the year.

It's your teacher's union that is blocking the use of April 15 makeup day, which was submitted to BOE as part of the official calendar to BE a make-up day. And now your union is reneging on the official calendar, so you can enjoy teaching until July this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher who already booked a vacation for the week of the 22nd. I never take days off, but I’ve put in for a sub and will leave board games and summer reading for my kids.

I wish the MCPS parents who perpetually complain could direct their vitriol at MSDE and the State Superintendent for being so unreasonable about giving waivers for extreme weather conditions.

Nah, it’s your union and MCPS that are completely inflexible. Stop blaming the state for the county’s issues.

The other county’s figured it out. MCPS put zero effort in, refused to use their 3 allocated snow make up days and just wants the state to sign a form for their incompetence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we not agree that this year is extremely unusual?? Just because people want exceptions this year doesn't mean it should be or would be a permanent thing. I think if people are loud enough, the board will hear and hopefully amend next year's calendar. It's not too late, as they already amended one day in September 2026 that was slated to be off that is now a school day.

Are you new here? This has been ongoing. Not just this year

Originally 11/9 was a grading day, then that got moved to 11/2 but instead of school 11/9 was turned into a complete non school day canceling out the gain from September 11 being turned into a school day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grading and planning days are essential. You can get rid of them if you want but it will be to the detriment of students. Having the day off means we can carefully go through grades and make sure there are no mistakes. It also gives us a few hours to grade stuff. Finally it gives teachers time to reflect and do some planning for future lessons. Take it away and many of us will just hastily throw something together for planning purposes. Think of some of your kids teachers who you like and who do a good job. Good teaching doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of planning and effort. And trying new things.

In HS there are 8 periods. Teachers have classes for 5-6 periods at most. The school day is exactly 7.5hrs.

Most salary employees work 9-10hrs a day. Many catch up at night too.

I think teachers do not get paid well enough and I would argue for more half days for grading. But full days off are not productive in my opinion. You just had 4 days off. There will be a long Spring Break in late March/early April. Being against April 15th is absolutely ridiculous. Could have made it half day easily.

When the teachers and MCPS are not flexible, why should the state be?

Agree 100%

If MCPS actually went to school 5 days a week, I may have more sympathy for teachers and their need for full days off to grade. But they don't because they are off for every known holiday and then also when it flurries. As well as morning delays and other half days. Do teachers not understand that OTHER working parents that are not teachers, do not have that luxury and struggle with finding daycare, camps, babysitters for all of these days off and snow days and delayed openings, etc... I feel like kids are never in school. So your union denying April 15th after all these days off and after a long Spring Break seems a bit much, no?

If you can’t handle snow days, you shoulda lived in DC.

I love people that tell you to move elsewhere as they are just completely ok with MCPS being inadequate with reopening after snow, not using the make-up days in the calendar, and running school 8 days later instead.

It’s giving I see what Trump is doing but I’m a Republican so my answer is you don’t like it, leave the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't we using "Easter Monday?" I'm sure teachers wouldn't mind PD days being used instead of extending the year either.

Schools are closed by state law. Easter Monday is not a PD day.

[Anonymous]

It's time to re-evaluate being off for every single cultural and religious holiday. 25 years ago, we were only off for Christmas, Easter and Jewish holidays. This was because more than 15% of staff and students celebrated these, making finding subs for teachers difficult. There needs to be a way to make it fair for all without sacrificing the continuity of consecutive days of learning. I'm not sure what the answer to this is, but it needs to really be looked at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's time to re-evaluate being off for every single cultural and religious holiday. 25 years ago, we were only off for Christmas, Easter and Jewish holidays. This was because more than 15% of staff and students celebrated these, making finding subs for teachers difficult. There needs to be a way to make it fair for all without sacrificing the continuity of consecutive days of learning. I'm not sure what the answer to this is, but it needs to really be looked at.

Or MCPS could put in more than 1 snow day into the calendar so this disaster doesn't keep occurring annually. And put in makeup days it intends to use. And submit its virtual learning plan for snow like other Maryland districts have done.

Or you could do your pie in the sky plan of trying to take religious holidays off the calendar when they've been there for generations. Personally I believe the other points above are easier to attain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher who already booked a vacation for the week of the 22nd. I never take days off, but I’ve put in for a sub and will leave board games and summer reading for my kids.

I wish the MCPS parents who perpetually complain could direct their vitriol at MSDE and the State Superintendent for being so unreasonable about giving waivers for extreme weather conditions.

Nah, it’s your union and MCPS that are completely inflexible. Stop blaming the state for the county’s issues.

The other county’s figured it out. MCPS put zero effort in, refused to use their 3 allocated snow make up days and just wants the state to sign a form for their incompetence.

+1
MCPS staffers: Don't blame me, I have nothing to do with this calendar.
Parents: It's your administration that prepares and submits the calendar, and your union that signs off on it, and any changes made to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grading and planning days are essential. You can get rid of them if you want but it will be to the detriment of students. Having the day off means we can carefully go through grades and make sure there are no mistakes. It also gives us a few hours to grade stuff. Finally it gives teachers time to reflect and do some planning for future lessons. Take it away and many of us will just hastily throw something together for planning purposes. Think of some of your kids teachers who you like and who do a good job. Good teaching doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of planning and effort. And trying new things.

In HS there are 8 periods. Teachers have classes for 5-6 periods at most. The school day is exactly 7.5hrs.

Most salary employees work 9-10hrs a day. Many catch up at night too.

I think teachers do not get paid well enough and I would argue for more half days for grading. But full days off are not productive in my opinion. You just had 4 days off. There will be a long Spring Break in late March/early April. Being against April 15th is absolutely ridiculous. Could have made it half day easily.

When the teachers and MCPS are not flexible, why should the state be?

Agree 100%

If MCPS actually went to school 5 days a week, I may have more sympathy for teachers and their need for full days off to grade. But they don't because they are off for every known holiday and then also when it flurries. As well as morning delays and other half days. Do teachers not understand that OTHER working parents that are not teachers, do not have that luxury and struggle with finding daycare, camps, babysitters for all of these days off and snow days and delayed openings, etc... I feel like kids are never in school. So your union denying April 15th after all these days off and after a long Spring Break seems a bit much, no?

If you can’t handle snow days, you shoulda lived in DC.

I love people that tell you to move elsewhere as they are just completely ok with MCPS being inadequate with reopening after snow, not using the make-up days in the calendar, and running school 8 days later instead.

It’s giving I see what Trump is doing but I’m a Republican so my answer is you don’t like it, leave the country.

It's not like the Democrats under Obama and Biden sought compromise; it's just that they knew that the "deplorables" wouldn't leave the country. They just told people to suck it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher who already booked a vacation for the week of the 22nd. I never take days off, but I’ve put in for a sub and will leave board games and summer reading for my kids.

I wish the MCPS parents who perpetually complain could direct their vitriol at MSDE and the State Superintendent for being so unreasonable about giving waivers for extreme weather conditions.

Nah, it’s your union and MCPS that are completely inflexible. Stop blaming the state for the county’s issues.

The other county’s figured it out. MCPS put zero effort in, refused to use their 3 allocated snow make up days and just wants the state to sign a form for their incompetence.

The union is not asking teachers what they want and decides for them. Stop scapegoating teachers.