APS calendar options are here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just read Mr AEM’s speech from school board meeting. Did he really bully someone into removing parental concerns about holidays from the board presentation? Wow. Having legitimate concerns about the holidays does not equate to antisemitism. Way to cancel parental concerns and even more shameful that his threats worked.

Yeah, as a secular interfaith Jewish family I’m a bit miffed this dude accused us of being l anti-Semites because we believe secular schools should not be “honoring” anyone’s religion. Part of me wants to call this guy out, but being new to the APS scene I don’t know if this will get me blackballed and hurt my kids. Is he “educatable” or would be it be wasting my time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read Mr AEM’s speech from school board meeting. Did he really bully someone into removing parental concerns about holidays from the board presentation? Wow. Having legitimate concerns about the holidays does not equate to antisemitism. Way to cancel parental concerns and even more shameful that his threats worked.

Yeah, as a secular interfaith Jewish family I’m a bit miffed this dude accused us of being l anti-Semites because we believe secular schools should not be “honoring” anyone’s religion. Part of me wants to call this guy out, but being new to the APS scene I don’t know if this will get me blackballed and hurt my kids. Is he “educatable” or would be it be wasting my time?

In his case it’s a waste of time. He’s always like this. I’m also in a mixed secular Jewish/atheist family and an APS employee and don’t think we should be off for religious holidays. I posted above about giving all employees two holidays, it feels the most reasonable. Students can have two excused absences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read Mr AEM’s speech from school board meeting. Did he really bully someone into removing parental concerns about holidays from the board presentation? Wow. Having legitimate concerns about the holidays does not equate to antisemitism. Way to cancel parental concerns and even more shameful that his threats worked.

I mean I think we all know what's going on here. APE is pressuring APS to accede to its preferred calendar, which does not include time off for "those" holidays, and is upset when its tactics didn't work.

APE wanted 180 days of instruction and got it. They thanked the board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope they do the right thing and go with Option 2. Especially after wasting everyone’s time and taxpayer money on yet another survey.

And peoples vacation deposits!

yeah lets prioritize people's recreation over instruction.

Haha! No, but its unreasonable to keep changing start dates year after year. Many families rent the same spot year after year and have to reserve almost a year in advance. 6 months out is not reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My people are not being considered and there are a lot of us.

We need 12th night off, Lundi Gras, Mardi Gras and of course Ash Wednesday b/c we need to get over our hangovers and go to Church.

Don’t forget Candlemas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read Mr AEM’s speech from school board meeting. Did he really bully someone into removing parental concerns about holidays from the board presentation? Wow. Having legitimate concerns about the holidays does not equate to antisemitism. Way to cancel parental concerns and even more shameful that his threats worked.

I mean I think we all know what's going on here. APE is pressuring APS to accede to its preferred calendar, which does not include time off for "those" holidays, and is upset when its tactics didn't work.

I think what’s going on here is that you’re a yutz who hasn’t read the calendar options. They all have Yom Kippur and Eid off. The only significant differences are the start dates, spring break, and length of winter break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My people are not being considered and there are a lot of us.

We need 12th night off, Lundi Gras, Mardi Gras and of course Ash Wednesday b/c we need to get over our hangovers and go to Church.

Don’t forget Candlemas!

And Festivus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read Mr AEM’s speech from school board meeting. Did he really bully someone into removing parental concerns about holidays from the board presentation? Wow. Having legitimate concerns about the holidays does not equate to antisemitism. Way to cancel parental concerns and even more shameful that his threats worked.

I mean I think we all know what's going on here. APE is pressuring APS to accede to its preferred calendar, which does not include time off for "those" holidays, and is upset when its tactics didn't work.

What do you mean? They pushed for #3 on their Facebook group. And now they’re pushing people to write it for modified option 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope they do the right thing and go with Option 2. Especially after wasting everyone’s time and taxpayer money on yet another survey.

And peoples vacation deposits!

yeah lets prioritize people's recreation over instruction.

I have news for you. One week is not going to make a difference whether little Timmy advances to the next grade level or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My people are not being considered and there are a lot of us.

We need 12th night off, Lundi Gras, Mardi Gras and of course Ash Wednesday b/c we need to get over our hangovers and go to Church.

Don’t forget Candlemas!

And Festivus.

Exactly! I don’t see it being added to the calendar. It is all too real my friend and my family needs the day off to celebrate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope they do the right thing and go with Option 2. Especially after wasting everyone’s time and taxpayer money on yet another survey.

And peoples vacation deposits!

yeah lets prioritize people's recreation over instruction.

Haha! No, but its unreasonable to keep changing start dates year after year. Many families rent the same spot year after year and have to reserve almost a year in advance. 6 months out is not reasonable.

So their kid misses some days early in the year. Nothing un-missable happens anyway. And before someone cries hardship on behalf of students missing out on meeting their classmates the first day or week of school, sometimes that's how the cookie crumbles and it's life. People make choices. If people make choices based on information set A and the information changes afterward, that's what happens in life. I don't think it's as important for a family to have the same vacation rental every year as it is to make school calendar/administration decisions for the greatest common good. I guess some peoples' vacations are more important to them - and they're free to proceed with them. Schools can't accommodate every individual family's preferences. Is there any good reasons the school calendar can't be set farther ahead? No. But it isn't APS' concern when you want to have your family vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read Mr AEM’s speech from school board meeting. Did he really bully someone into removing parental concerns about holidays from the board presentation? Wow. Having legitimate concerns about the holidays does not equate to antisemitism. Way to cancel parental concerns and even more shameful that his threats worked.

I mean I think we all know what's going on here. APE is pressuring APS to accede to its preferred calendar, which does not include time off for "those" holidays, and is upset when its tactics didn't work.

What do you mean? They pushed for #3 on their Facebook group. And now they’re pushing people to write it for modified option 2.

Because the options have changed and option 2 was originally almost identical to option 3 anyway. Clearly APS wanted option 1, which they did not; so of course they're supporting revised option 2 now. Why wouldn't they?
I'm not part of APE; but geez lueez...some people just want to blame APE for everything they disagree with or find any way they can to negatively finger-point at APE even if it requires making up blanks to be filled in with APE conspiracies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope they do the right thing and go with Option 2. Especially after wasting everyone’s time and taxpayer money on yet another survey.

And peoples vacation deposits!

yeah lets prioritize people's recreation over instruction.

Haha! No, but its unreasonable to keep changing start dates year after year. Many families rent the same spot year after year and have to reserve almost a year in advance. 6 months out is not reasonable.

So their kid misses some days early in the year. Nothing un-missable happens anyway. And before someone cries hardship on behalf of students missing out on meeting their classmates the first day or week of school, sometimes that's how the cookie crumbles and it's life. People make choices. If people make choices based on information set A and the information changes afterward, that's what happens in life. I don't think it's as important for a family to have the same vacation rental every year as it is to make school calendar/administration decisions for the greatest common good. I guess some peoples' vacations are more important to them - and they're free to proceed with them. Schools can't accommodate every individual family's preferences. Is there any good reasons the school calendar can't be set farther ahead? No. But it isn't APS' concern when you want to have your family vacation.

As you say, there is no good reason NOT to give people this information much further in advance (as in, years), with the understanding that there might be some small tweaks (eg, moving the day off for Eid). It’s not just about vacations. People should be able to plan ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many of the bus drivers and their community celebrate Ethiopian new year and many extended workers celebrate Vietnamese New Year. We should consider adding those to the calendar. I also would like to see Good Friday and Easter Monday added. This will ensure families can celebrate those days no matter when spring break is scheduled in future. I find it offensive it’s not named on the current calendar, frankly.

We already get Easter Monday troll

Well this comment didn’t age well. Revised proposed calendar removes Easter Monday. That’s why Good Friday (holiest Christian holiday along w Easter) and Easter Monday need to be observed - it’s not guaranteed that APS will overlap spring break. Why is no one calling this out?

Why is Easter Monday necessary??? It is not a religious holiday.

I have no idea. I grew up going to Catholic school and it was never considered a holiday. As students we would say it should be since it was called "Easter" Monday.

It turns out there is a state law regarding designating religious holidays "The calendar must have a secular reason to establish a holiday, such as a significant amount of student absences that would impact operations. View a summary of absences on religious observances and holidays. "
from the FCPS website - https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/how-fcps-develops-its-school-year-calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read Mr AEM’s speech from school board meeting. Did he really bully someone into removing parental concerns about holidays from the board presentation? Wow. Having legitimate concerns about the holidays does not equate to antisemitism. Way to cancel parental concerns and even more shameful that his threats worked.

Yeah, as a secular interfaith Jewish family I’m a bit miffed this dude accused us of being l anti-Semites because we believe secular schools should not be “honoring” anyone’s religion. Part of me wants to call this guy out, but being new to the APS scene I don’t know if this will get me blackballed and hurt my kids. Is he “educatable” or would be it be wasting my time?

In his case it’s a waste of time. He’s always like this. I’m also in a mixed secular Jewish/atheist family and an APS employee and don’t think we should be off for religious holidays. I posted above about giving all employees two holidays, it feels the most reasonable. Students can have two excused absences.

+1 = last year his crusade was about how amazing APS virtual school was and why it needed to be continued to be funded