2023-24 draft calendar scenarios to be reviewed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They need to decide on the 6th and be done. And keep it like it’s been and plan ahead now to make any different changes in 24/25.

Agreed with decide soon and plan ahead. Camp signups will start soon.

[Anonymous]

I read several pages of this thread but still can't figure this out - when will the calendar be set? We scheduled a family vacation with literally the entire extended family based on the last several years' calendars (because if we waited the accommodations we want would no longer be available) and now I'm worried we're going to have to cancel because obviously my kids aren't going to miss the entire first week. What a mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read several pages of this thread but still can't figure this out - when will the calendar be set? We scheduled a family vacation with literally the entire extended family based on the last several years' calendars (because if we waited the accommodations we want would no longer be available) and now I'm worried we're going to have to cancel because obviously my kids aren't going to miss the entire first week. What a mess.

Possibly dec 6th at the next board meeeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read several pages of this thread but still can't figure this out - when will the calendar be set? We scheduled a family vacation with literally the entire extended family based on the last several years' calendars (because if we waited the accommodations we want would no longer be available) and now I'm worried we're going to have to cancel because obviously my kids aren't going to miss the entire first week. What a mess.

Possibly dec 6th at the next board meeeting.

+1. If they don't finalize it then, the next board meeting isn't until January, and their policy dictates the calendar needs to be decided by the end of December.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

My kid goes to school every day unless she's sick, but D fits our typical vacation schedule better. I'm not sure why that would be hard to understand. A June 18th end date is no later than an August 17 start is early.

High school kids do not benefit from instructional days after they’ve taken AP exams (some teachers stop teaching), but they sure do benefit from more instructional days prior to the exams. Also, the first semester is broken up by so many holidays and early releases, when people aren’t as burned out because it’s still early in the school year. We have a long slog from spring break to the last day of school, with few breaks, and people are totally burned out by those last few weeks. The final stretch wouldn’t be as miserable if there weren’t so many weeks after spring break.

There are far more kids in elementary, middle school, and non AP high school students than there are AP students. We do not need to schedule our entire district calendar around this. Furthermore, AP students should be at school to be learning for more than just one test.

There is no compelling need for elementary and middle school kids to have a late start start date. There is a compelling reason for high school kids to have an early start date. Elementary and middle school students will eventually be high school students.

I mean, the a/c in parts of my kids’ school didn’t work properly in September this year. The school is one of the newest buildings in the county so I can only imagine the functionality in older buildings. My kids’ bus is not air conditioned at all. These things are not insignificant if you are asking people to start in the middle of August in this region.

No gyms in MCPS have AC. AC in a lot of rooms doesn’t work. Teachers have the right to request an alternative teaching space when the temp in their room is 80 degrees or higher (per the contract). No way would principals be able to accommodate this if we started school any earlier.

As for APs, plenty of systems across the country start after Labor Day and the students do fine on AP tests. Do they not assign summer work for AP classes anymore?

I’m actually curious now if anyone has looked at the stats of AP scores by school calendar. Because if start date us such a big factor, shouldn’t students from Mississippi be outperforming students from NY? They start nearly a month earlier, after all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

My kid goes to school every day unless she's sick, but D fits our typical vacation schedule better. I'm not sure why that would be hard to understand. A June 18th end date is no later than an August 17 start is early.

High school kids do not benefit from instructional days after they’ve taken AP exams (some teachers stop teaching), but they sure do benefit from more instructional days prior to the exams. Also, the first semester is broken up by so many holidays and early releases, when people aren’t as burned out because it’s still early in the school year. We have a long slog from spring break to the last day of school, with few breaks, and people are totally burned out by those last few weeks. The final stretch wouldn’t be as miserable if there weren’t so many weeks after spring break.

There are far more kids in elementary, middle school, and non AP high school students than there are AP students. We do not need to schedule our entire district calendar around this. Furthermore, AP students should be at school to be learning for more than just one test.

There is no compelling need for elementary and middle school kids to have a late start start date. There is a compelling reason for high school kids to have an early start date. Elementary and middle school students will eventually be high school students.

I mean, the a/c in parts of my kids’ school didn’t work properly in September this year. The school is one of the newest buildings in the county so I can only imagine the functionality in older buildings. My kids’ bus is not air conditioned at all. These things are not insignificant if you are asking people to start in the middle of August in this region.

No gyms in MCPS have AC. AC in a lot of rooms doesn’t work. Teachers have the right to request an alternative teaching space when the temp in their room is 80 degrees or higher (per the contract). No way would principals be able to accommodate this if we started school any earlier.

As for APs, plenty of systems across the country start after Labor Day and the students do fine on AP tests. Do they not assign summer work for AP classes anymore?

I’m actually curious now if anyone has looked at the stats of AP scores by school calendar. Because if start date us such a big factor, shouldn’t students from Mississippi be outperforming students from NY? They start nearly a month earlier, after all.

Well, there are many differences between students in Mississippi and New York, so that would not be a good way to compare. Better to look at a large collection of districts or possibly neighboring districts with noticeably different calendars.

Is it really just AP exams? When I went to school (in Virginia) there were other standardized tests in May, that also mattered for graduation. I thought it was obvious that an earlier start would be beneficial but maybe that’s less compelling in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

I mean… there are other districts with better options. I def see teachers quitting and moving to nearby districts. McCo considers this though- they think higher pay means retention. I know sooo many teachers willing to quit bc nearby counties have better working conditions. I’m sure many friends would quit (especially after this year) even if it meant a small pay cut. Hey, BOE- everyone has had it. I can’t wait till you finally start to realize it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

My kid goes to school every day unless she's sick, but D fits our typical vacation schedule better. I'm not sure why that would be hard to understand. A June 18th end date is no later than an August 17 start is early.

High school kids do not benefit from instructional days after they’ve taken AP exams (some teachers stop teaching), but they sure do benefit from more instructional days prior to the exams. Also, the first semester is broken up by so many holidays and early releases, when people aren’t as burned out because it’s still early in the school year. We have a long slog from spring break to the last day of school, with few breaks, and people are totally burned out by those last few weeks. The final stretch wouldn’t be as miserable if there weren’t so many weeks after spring break.

There are far more kids in elementary, middle school, and non AP high school students than there are AP students. We do not need to schedule our entire district calendar around this. Furthermore, AP students should be at school to be learning for more than just one test.

There is no compelling need for elementary and middle school kids to have a late start start date. There is a compelling reason for high school kids to have an early start date. Elementary and middle school students will eventually be high school students.

Exactly. And many parts of the country follow the earlier start. Much easier on high school kids.

lol and those schools across the country get out in may, not June. We can’t even get that right. Also, your “reason” isn’t compelling at all. It’s not even beneficial to all high school kids, just AP students. Hardly a reason to change a calendar.

Most kids are encouraged to take AP classes. They matter a lot and high school matters a lot. What’s the harm for younger kids getting our earlier? There’s no compelling reason not to switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

My kid goes to school every day unless she's sick, but D fits our typical vacation schedule better. I'm not sure why that would be hard to understand. A June 18th end date is no later than an August 17 start is early.

High school kids do not benefit from instructional days after they’ve taken AP exams (some teachers stop teaching), but they sure do benefit from more instructional days prior to the exams. Also, the first semester is broken up by so many holidays and early releases, when people aren’t as burned out because it’s still early in the school year. We have a long slog from spring break to the last day of school, with few breaks, and people are totally burned out by those last few weeks. The final stretch wouldn’t be as miserable if there weren’t so many weeks after spring break.

There are far more kids in elementary, middle school, and non AP high school students than there are AP students. We do not need to schedule our entire district calendar around this. Furthermore, AP students should be at school to be learning for more than just one test.

There is no compelling need for elementary and middle school kids to have a late start start date. There is a compelling reason for high school kids to have an early start date. Elementary and middle school students will eventually be high school students.

I mean, the a/c in parts of my kids’ school didn’t work properly in September this year. The school is one of the newest buildings in the county so I can only imagine the functionality in older buildings. My kids’ bus is not air conditioned at all. These things are not insignificant if you are asking people to start in the middle of August in this region.

No gyms in MCPS have AC. AC in a lot of rooms doesn’t work. Teachers have the right to request an alternative teaching space when the temp in their room is 80 degrees or higher (per the contract). No way would principals be able to accommodate this if we started school any earlier.

As for APs, plenty of systems across the country start after Labor Day and the students do fine on AP tests. Do they not assign summer work for AP classes anymore?

I’m actually curious now if anyone has looked at the stats of AP scores by school calendar. Because if start date us such a big factor, shouldn’t students from Mississippi be outperforming students from NY? They start nearly a month earlier, after all.

Well, there are many differences between students in Mississippi and New York, so that would not be a good way to compare. Better to look at a large collection of districts or possibly neighboring districts with noticeably different calendars.

Is it really just AP exams? When I went to school (in Virginia) there were other standardized tests in May, that also mattered for graduation. I thought it was obvious that an earlier start would be beneficial but maybe that’s less compelling in Maryland.

MCAP too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

My kid goes to school every day unless she's sick, but D fits our typical vacation schedule better. I'm not sure why that would be hard to understand. A June 18th end date is no later than an August 17 start is early.

High school kids do not benefit from instructional days after they’ve taken AP exams (some teachers stop teaching), but they sure do benefit from more instructional days prior to the exams. Also, the first semester is broken up by so many holidays and early releases, when people aren’t as burned out because it’s still early in the school year. We have a long slog from spring break to the last day of school, with few breaks, and people are totally burned out by those last few weeks. The final stretch wouldn’t be as miserable if there weren’t so many weeks after spring break.

There are far more kids in elementary, middle school, and non AP high school students than there are AP students. We do not need to schedule our entire district calendar around this. Furthermore, AP students should be at school to be learning for more than just one test.

There is no compelling need for elementary and middle school kids to have a late start start date. There is a compelling reason for high school kids to have an early start date. Elementary and middle school students will eventually be high school students.

Exactly. And many parts of the country follow the earlier start. Much easier on high school kids.

lol and those schools across the country get out in may, not June. We can’t even get that right. Also, your “reason” isn’t compelling at all. It’s not even beneficial to all high school kids, just AP students. Hardly a reason to change a calendar.

Most kids are encouraged to take AP classes. They matter a lot and high school matters a lot. What’s the harm for younger kids getting our earlier? There’s no compelling reason not to switch.

Really? You’re gonna die on the hill that’s a few students in hs take AP so the entire county should follow suit? Typical, entitled, MoCo parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

My kid goes to school every day unless she's sick, but D fits our typical vacation schedule better. I'm not sure why that would be hard to understand. A June 18th end date is no later than an August 17 start is early.

High school kids do not benefit from instructional days after they’ve taken AP exams (some teachers stop teaching), but they sure do benefit from more instructional days prior to the exams. Also, the first semester is broken up by so many holidays and early releases, when people aren’t as burned out because it’s still early in the school year. We have a long slog from spring break to the last day of school, with few breaks, and people are totally burned out by those last few weeks. The final stretch wouldn’t be as miserable if there weren’t so many weeks after spring break.

There are far more kids in elementary, middle school, and non AP high school students than there are AP students. We do not need to schedule our entire district calendar around this. Furthermore, AP students should be at school to be learning for more than just one test.

There is no compelling need for elementary and middle school kids to have a late start start date. There is a compelling reason for high school kids to have an early start date. Elementary and middle school students will eventually be high school students.

Exactly. And many parts of the country follow the earlier start. Much easier on high school kids.

lol and those schools across the country get out in may, not June. We can’t even get that right. Also, your “reason” isn’t compelling at all. It’s not even beneficial to all high school kids, just AP students. Hardly a reason to change a calendar.

Most kids are encouraged to take AP classes. They matter a lot and high school matters a lot. What’s the harm for younger kids getting our earlier? There’s no compelling reason not to switch.

Really? You’re gonna die on the hill that’s a few students in hs take AP so the entire county should follow suit? Typical, entitled, MoCo parent

I mean..this is the county who thinks being made fun of in national tv is something to be proud of. We aren’t really represented by the smartest people….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

My kid goes to school every day unless she's sick, but D fits our typical vacation schedule better. I'm not sure why that would be hard to understand. A June 18th end date is no later than an August 17 start is early.

High school kids do not benefit from instructional days after they’ve taken AP exams (some teachers stop teaching), but they sure do benefit from more instructional days prior to the exams. Also, the first semester is broken up by so many holidays and early releases, when people aren’t as burned out because it’s still early in the school year. We have a long slog from spring break to the last day of school, with few breaks, and people are totally burned out by those last few weeks. The final stretch wouldn’t be as miserable if there weren’t so many weeks after spring break.

There are far more kids in elementary, middle school, and non AP high school students than there are AP students. We do not need to schedule our entire district calendar around this. Furthermore, AP students should be at school to be learning for more than just one test.

There is no compelling need for elementary and middle school kids to have a late start start date. There is a compelling reason for high school kids to have an early start date. Elementary and middle school students will eventually be high school students.

Exactly. And many parts of the country follow the earlier start. Much easier on high school kids.

lol and those schools across the country get out in may, not June. We can’t even get that right. Also, your “reason” isn’t compelling at all. It’s not even beneficial to all high school kids, just AP students. Hardly a reason to change a calendar.

Most kids are encouraged to take AP classes. They matter a lot and high school matters a lot. What’s the harm for younger kids getting our earlier? There’s no compelling reason not to switch.

Anyone can take an AP test. You don’t have to be enrolled in an AP class. Most private schools ditched AP classes years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean… there are other districts with better options. I def see teachers quitting and moving to nearby districts. McCo considers this though- they think higher pay means retention. I know sooo many teachers willing to quit bc nearby counties have better working conditions. I’m sure many friends would quit (especially after this year) even if it meant a small pay cut. Hey, BOE- everyone has had it. I can’t wait till you finally start to realize it.

MCPS teachers I know personally do not want them starting earlier next year either, because they'd have to report earlier than expected. Lots of families with teachers also have kids in summer swim and take vacations in August. They need to plan just like the rest of us. So yeah, this would just another way to piss off teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

My kid goes to school every day unless she's sick, but D fits our typical vacation schedule better. I'm not sure why that would be hard to understand. A June 18th end date is no later than an August 17 start is early.

High school kids do not benefit from instructional days after they’ve taken AP exams (some teachers stop teaching), but they sure do benefit from more instructional days prior to the exams. Also, the first semester is broken up by so many holidays and early releases, when people aren’t as burned out because it’s still early in the school year. We have a long slog from spring break to the last day of school, with few breaks, and people are totally burned out by those last few weeks. The final stretch wouldn’t be as miserable if there weren’t so many weeks after spring break.

There are far more kids in elementary, middle school, and non AP high school students than there are AP students. We do not need to schedule our entire district calendar around this. Furthermore, AP students should be at school to be learning for more than just one test.

There is no compelling need for elementary and middle school kids to have a late start start date. There is a compelling reason for high school kids to have an early start date. Elementary and middle school students will eventually be high school students.

I mean, the a/c in parts of my kids’ school didn’t work properly in September this year. The school is one of the newest buildings in the county so I can only imagine the functionality in older buildings. My kids’ bus is not air conditioned at all. These things are not insignificant if you are asking people to start in the middle of August in this region.

No gyms in MCPS have AC. AC in a lot of rooms doesn’t work. Teachers have the right to request an alternative teaching space when the temp in their room is 80 degrees or higher (per the contract). No way would principals be able to accommodate this if we started school any earlier.

As for APs, plenty of systems across the country start after Labor Day and the students do fine on AP tests. Do they not assign summer work for AP classes anymore?

I’m actually curious now if anyone has looked at the stats of AP scores by school calendar. Because if start date us such a big factor, shouldn’t students from Mississippi be outperforming students from NY? They start nearly a month earlier, after all.

Well, there are many differences between students in Mississippi and New York, so that would not be a good way to compare. Better to look at a large collection of districts or possibly neighboring districts with noticeably different calendars.

Is it really just AP exams? When I went to school (in Virginia) there were other standardized tests in May, that also mattered for graduation. I thought it was obvious that an earlier start would be beneficial but maybe that’s less compelling in Maryland.

But if we are going to start a week earlier mainly to help out AP students, there should at least be some data behind it, not just based on how we all "feel." As someone else said, many districts in NY or elsewhere in the NE don't even start until after Labor Day.

[Anonymous]

The debate on which option aside, do we have a sense of what the board is going to decide? Do we know where they are leaning?