MCPS updated calendar is insane

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Except it wasn't. We have snow days every year. So far the total number has been pretty normal for a typical year. They were bunched together more, but the overall number is typical.

Do people really not remember last year? Or before covid? It might seem worse, but that's just because MCPS used to build in more days knowing that it snows in the winter. Now they try to pretend it doesn't when they make the calendar.

Agree. MCPS closes very easily. If there's an inch upcountry and rain downcountry, we close. We often use 4-5 days, sometimes more. What the legislature should be doing is requiring MCPS to schedule a 185 day school year, and then if we don't use them ending school early.

That is what Frederick County MD does. There are even some states that require the extra days to be put onto the calendar and then given back at the end if they are not used. MCPS claims that they cannot do that because if the extra days are given back at the end, the teachers will not be paid. Not sure how so many other systems do this. I am sure it can be put in the contract to pay them.

That's ridiculous - teacher are paid to teach 180 days (plus PD days on top of that). If they have taught 180 days, then they are paid whether that is ending earlier than expected or later than expected. And agree that is certainly something that can be added to the contract.

Good luck. The union will never concede that, nor should they.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe we'd be better off with year-round school and frequent long breaks throughout the year.

+1

Not going to happen. Feel free to move somewhere they have this, though. 🤷‍♀️

[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?

None of that is the teachers’ or the schools’ responsibility. Not one whit or jot. Welcome to parenthood!

[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?

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.

You’re such a snot. You sound like an ill-raised 13-year-old girl. And no, many teachers will use their accumulated days and NOT “teach until July” and your kids will be stuffed in with unqualified subs. But we all know you don’t care, as long as they’re not in your house, or in childcare you had to pay for or arrange.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's your union. You pay them dues. Stop pretending they're an independent body that has nothing to do with its members (you.)

If you have an issue, take it up with the BOE yourself. Teachers are busying educating our kids.

Sure -stick your ostrich head in the sand and enjoy teaching til July this year. And make sure to tell your union rep thanks!

Please stop embarrassing yourself. It’s getting hard to watch. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

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.

You’re such a snot. You sound like an ill-raised 13-year-old girl. And no, many teachers will use their accumulated days and NOT “teach until July” and your kids will be stuffed in with unqualified subs. But we all know you don’t care, as long as they’re not in your house, or in childcare you had to pay for or arrange.

That’s your opinion. Not a fact. Which is something even most 13 year old girls can recognize. It is a fact that the McPS teacher’s union blocked the use of the April 15 makeup day that they had agreed to include on the calendar as a makeup day.

And because of that selfishness, McPS kids are losing losing out on education while you are calling people “snot” and enjoying your vacation thinking gleefully about unqualified subs educating the kids you’re supposed to care about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You might be right that a majority of teachers would prefer to teach April 15 than June 25, but if so, they should speak out to the BOE that the union is misrepresenting them. Not just for this year but in advocating for a more rational calendar going forward.

The situation is more complicated than you’re making it seem. The teachers’ union didn’t fight for *April 15th*, specifically; there’s nothing special about that date. Teachers needed more time for planning and grading, so their union fought for a paid, non instructional workday after each quarter. You’re thinking small: we need makeup days, so let’s get rid of April 15th, which isn’t anyone’s holiday. The union has to look at the bigger picture: we fought for this, so if we now say we’re happy to give it up, we’ll be ceding ground and the next time there’s pressure to find more instructional days, we could lose more paid grading and planning time, under the guise that we must not really need it. They can’t give back something they fought for and won because of the precedent it sets — even if, in this very specific circumstance, most of the teachers would rather use April 15th as a makeup day than June 25th.

There are 3 designated back up days. That is one. The decision was already made when calendar was approved. No idea why this is even a discussion.

+1. Yes. Don’t you love that MCPS management thinks it’s more important to stick to the union agreement than to stick to the calendar makeup days it submitted to the BoE that includes april 15?

And that neither the McPS union or management seem to be considering the needs of children falling further and further behind due to lack of instruction this year. Shameful.

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

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.

You’re such a snot. You sound like an ill-raised 13-year-old girl. And no, many teachers will use their accumulated days and NOT “teach until July” and your kids will be stuffed in with unqualified subs. But we all know you don’t care, as long as they’re not in your house, or in childcare you had to pay for or arrange.

That’s your opinion. Not a fact. Which is something even most 13 year old girls can recognize. It is a fact that the McPS teacher’s union blocked the use of the April 15 makeup day that they had agreed to include on the calendar as a makeup day.

And because of that selfishness, McPS kids are losing losing out on education while you are calling people “snot” and enjoying your vacation thinking gleefully about unqualified subs educating the kids you’re supposed to care about.

I have no idea if the union advocated to not use April 15 as make up. The teachers i know want to use it. As for agreeing to calendar decisions, teachers unions are not allowed to negotiate the calendar in MD

[Anonymous]

The should reinstate school on Eid since it was already designated as a snow day make up, but make it clear that students observing the holiday have an excused absence, and instruct teachers not to cover new material-- let the day be in-school study hall or assemblies or whatnot. Teachers could come up with material that helps sophomores and juniors plan out college prep stuff. Reading cafe for the littles. 8th-10th graders could do mock PSATs or SATs . They could do mental health programming or kickball tournaments or whatnot. They could do review sessions or mock AP tests for that group. Essentially, nothing that kids would have to makeup if they missed school.

And they couldn't officially do this, but unofficially my kids' teachers often discourage attendance when they know a schoolday won't be valuable (e.g., day before winter break). Many (beyond those celebrating) would probably take the day off anyway and so be it.

[Anonymous]

This is insane. New last day June 26, 10 days past where it was supposed to be. And 1 month past HS graduation for QO (and my senior). 6 weeks past my 10th graders AP. Total waste. And does no good for these HS kids.

[Anonymous]

So seniors and senior teachers are done 5 weeks earlier!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So seniors and senior teachers are done 5 weeks earlier!

Yes. And my junior has mostly classes with mostly seniors so he’ll be basically done with all his classes as well. It’s so pointless. I guess those HS teachers can put on a movie and get started on their college rec letters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

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.

You’re such a snot. You sound like an ill-raised 13-year-old girl. And no, many teachers will use their accumulated days and NOT “teach until July” and your kids will be stuffed in with unqualified subs. But we all know you don’t care, as long as they’re not in your house, or in childcare you had to pay for or arrange.

That’s your opinion. Not a fact. Which is something even most 13 year old girls can recognize. It is a fact that the McPS teacher’s union blocked the use of the April 15 makeup day that they had agreed to include on the calendar as a makeup day.

And because of that selfishness, McPS kids are losing losing out on education while you are calling people “snot” and enjoying your vacation thinking gleefully about unqualified subs educating the kids you’re supposed to care about.

I have no idea if the union advocated to not use April 15 as make up. The teachers i know want to use it. As for agreeing to calendar decisions, teachers unions are not allowed to negotiate the calendar in MD

You would have "an idea" if you had bothered to read the Board doc in the first page of this thread .
https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DRFV9T7FA98B/$file/Apprv%20Tech%20Amends%202025-2026%20SY%20Calendars%20260219.pdf

Wednesday: April 15, 2026: Quarter 3 Grading and Reporting Day Teacher Work Day Considerations: Contractual agreement with Montgomery County Education Association

This was the only makeup day that had been agreed on the calendar (a random Wednesday in April) that didn't have extra costs or fear of poor attendance listed as a consideration in making it an instructional day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So seniors and senior teachers are done 5 weeks earlier!

It would be a lot better for high school students to start a week earlier in August (build in a normal amount of snow days, and if not used can end early.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So seniors and senior teachers are done 5 weeks earlier!

It would be a lot better for high school students to start a week earlier in August (build in a normal amount of snow days, and if not used can end early.)

No.