The legislature may end up reverting the makeup days...

[Anonymous]

MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you are crazy.
Summer break is almost a week shorter this year, Summer should be a minimum of 10 weeks for students (9 weeks for teachers), holiday break should be at least December 23-January 1, possibly two full weeks if the majority votes that way. President's Day weekend should be longer than 3 days although it could be used for makeup days. The grading day after Q1 should be a half day to build in some room since it is too early to use as a makeup day.

Change Maryland law to require 175 days and not require the closure of schools on Election Day or Good Friday. Schools shall be allowed to go virtual on election days. If a single emergency closes schools for 3 or more days schools shall be able to go virtual for the 3rd day though the end of the closure. State of emergency days that occur in school days shall be waived from the requirement.

Reducing the required minimum of days to 175 only benefits lazy McPS staffers who don’t want to work 180 days. They would still work over 180 days. Pre-service week + 4 or 5 in year PD or grading days results in 184 or 185 days.
In contrast, look at higher performing Massachusetts where 185 days are scheduled with the expectation of losing several to blizzards but with no fewer than 180 days.

Quality does NOT equal quality
Massachusetts schools could end a week earlier and have the same high quality. Schools are ending June 26 for the sake of holding 180 days but that last week will be HOT AND USELESS! If they had the same schedule but ended June 18 it would be just as high quality.

Why stop there? If instructional time doesn't matter, why not end in May? Or April?

Colorado has 160 days. Many school districts only have 4 day weeks. There’s no magic number that’s going to satisfy anyone.

That's the problem. If MCPS gets it down to 175 days, next they'll go for 170. Then 160.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

Not enjoying the spring break with your children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

DP here. I'm not a teacher, not a fan of MCEA.

Stop. This is ridiculous. Individual MCPS teachers are not responsible for this. Do you know who is? Monifa McKnight, Thomas Taylor and every member of the BOE that has recommended and approved the calendars for the past few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

Is it a teacher’s job to teach, or is it their job to fight calendar battles?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

Is it a teacher’s job to teach, or is it their job to fight calendar battles?

They didn't need to create a union. But they did. What they do with it is on them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

Is it a teacher’s job to teach, or is it their job to fight calendar battles?

They didn't need to create a union. But they did. What they do with it is on them.

Okay. That’s just silly.

I suppose I should blame my doctor for everything my health insurance does/does not do? That makes just as much sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

DP here. I'm not a teacher, not a fan of MCEA.

Stop. This is ridiculous. Individual MCPS teachers are not responsible for this. Do you know who is? Monifa McKnight, Thomas Taylor and every member of the BOE that has recommended and approved the calendars for the past few years.

I'm mostly reacting to the claim that teachers aren't responsible for the actions of their union. They are.

I agree the calendar is mostly the fault of the central office and Board of Education. Though MCEA didn't help if the rumors are true that they initially pushed back on using April 15th as a make up day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

Is it a teacher’s job to teach, or is it their job to fight calendar battles?

They didn't need to create a union. But they did. What they do with it is on them.

Okay. That’s just silly.

I suppose I should blame my doctor for everything my health insurance does/does not do? That makes just as much sense.

If your health insurance company is run by your doctor, then yes.

Unions are run by their members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

Is it a teacher’s job to teach, or is it their job to fight calendar battles?

They didn't need to create a union. But they did. What they do with it is on them.

Okay. That’s just silly.

I suppose I should blame my doctor for everything my health insurance does/does not do? That makes just as much sense.

If your health insurance company is run by your doctor, then yes.

Unions are run by their members.

Well, how about the fact that many teachers don’t belong to the union? They don’t pay into it and they don’t vote for its leaders?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS teachers and the union should be on notice that parents see you advocate not to have to make up days and to permanently shorten the school year (but I bet you won't permanently lower your salaries or benefits).

I’m not a MCPS teacher but I am a teacher.

The teachers don’t make these decisions. And if the MCPS union is anything like my union, then I —guarantee— you they did not reach out to membership about this. I can count on one hand the amount of times my union asked for teacher input and I’ve been teaching over 20 years.

I know it’s easy to blame teachers and accuse them of being lazy, but it simply isn’t true. They simply are the face of the school system and therefore easily draw your ire.

And who votes for the union leaders who make those decisions?

Though, in this case, I don't think MCEA publicly took a position. They seemed to support it quietly (to their members, and presumably through their lobbyists), but knew the optics were terrible for them.

Most teachers are WAY too overwhelmed and too swamped to pay any attention to the union. Perhaps we should, but truth be told I’d bet most teachers couldn’t even tell you when union elections occur. Many of us don’t even belong anymore. I gave up my membership well over a decade ago.

You're either part of the problem or part of the solution.

DP here. I'm not a teacher, not a fan of MCEA.

Stop. This is ridiculous. Individual MCPS teachers are not responsible for this. Do you know who is? Monifa McKnight, Thomas Taylor and every member of the BOE that has recommended and approved the calendars for the past few years.

I'm mostly reacting to the claim that teachers aren't responsible for the actions of their union. They are.

I agree the calendar is mostly the fault of the central office and Board of Education. Though MCEA didn't help if the rumors are true that they initially pushed back on using April 15th as a make up day.

I am all for families advocating to the BOE for a calendar that allows for realistic compliance with the 180 day requirement.

I find your fixation on blaming individual teachers for this situation and other actions by MCEA highly distasteful. It's public school. Sometimes you just have to roll your eyes and either move on or focus your energy on advocacy on instead of bashing other people anonymously online.