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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s not a problem. Who is to say 180 is better than 160? School (esp hs) is over in early may. So the extra days are a joke. There’s no magical number of days that ensure kids learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Don’t do this to Mcps parents. They irrationally bash the teachers union then stick up for it when teachers say they aren’t dues paying members. It’s ridiculous but it’s the same bs every single time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s not a problem. Who is to say 180 is better than 160? School (esp hs) is over in early may. So the extra days are a joke. There’s no magical number of days that ensure kids learn.

You can ensure kids don't learn when you don't have school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

If they don't speak up themselves, then they're letting the union speak for them. Don't can't absolve yourself of responsibility by having someone else do your dirty work for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

If they don't speak up themselves, then they're letting the union speak for them. Don't can't absolve yourself of responsibility by having someone else do your dirty work for you.

Omg, stop
- MCPS parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Don’t do this to Mcps parents. They irrationally bash the teachers union then stick up for it when teachers say they aren’t dues paying members. It’s ridiculous but it’s the same bs every single time.

Teachers have nothing to do with it and don't make the decisions for the unions. But, many teachers, as well as families/students, have already made plans - camps, jobs, visiting family/the other parent, travel, etc. My kids have jobs lined up and those extra days would have been an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Don’t do this to Mcps parents. They irrationally bash the teachers union then stick up for it when teachers say they aren’t dues paying members. It’s ridiculous but it’s the same bs every single time.

Teachers have nothing to do with it and don't make the decisions for the unions. But, many teachers, as well as families/students, have already made plans - camps, jobs, visiting family/the other parent, travel, etc. My kids have jobs lined up and those extra days would have been an issue.

Who makes the decisions for the teachers' union?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Don’t do this to Mcps parents. They irrationally bash the teachers union then stick up for it when teachers say they aren’t dues paying members. It’s ridiculous but it’s the same bs every single time.

Teachers have nothing to do with it and don't make the decisions for the unions. But, many teachers, as well as families/students, have already made plans - camps, jobs, visiting family/the other parent, travel, etc. My kids have jobs lined up and those extra days would have been an issue.

Who makes the decisions for the teachers' union?

The answer still isn’t “teachers.” When I belonged to the union, I was asked for my opinion maybe 2 times over 10 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Don’t do this to Mcps parents. They irrationally bash the teachers union then stick up for it when teachers say they aren’t dues paying members. It’s ridiculous but it’s the same bs every single time.

Teachers have nothing to do with it and don't make the decisions for the unions. But, many teachers, as well as families/students, have already made plans - camps, jobs, visiting family/the other parent, travel, etc. My kids have jobs lined up and those extra days would have been an issue.

Who makes the decisions for the teachers' union?

The answer still isn’t “teachers.” When I belonged to the union, I was asked for my opinion maybe 2 times over 10 years.

That's who the teachers voted for to represent them.

[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).

Not enjoying the spring break with your children?

We have a winner!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Don’t do this to Mcps parents. They irrationally bash the teachers union then stick up for it when teachers say they aren’t dues paying members. It’s ridiculous but it’s the same bs every single time.

Teachers have nothing to do with it and don't make the decisions for the unions. But, many teachers, as well as families/students, have already made plans - camps, jobs, visiting family/the other parent, travel, etc. My kids have jobs lined up and those extra days would have been an issue.

Who makes the decisions for the teachers' union?

The answer still isn’t “teachers.” When I belonged to the union, I was asked for my opinion maybe 2 times over 10 years.

That's who the teachers voted for to represent them.

No. It’s not like Mcps teachers have a choice if there’s a union or not. Most of the time no one wants anything to do with the union but they get intimidated to join there are crazy union people in every school. If you’re a dues paying member should be no one’s business but your own, but no, you get put on a list anyone can see. Stop acting like you know anything about being a teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Don’t do this to Mcps parents. They irrationally bash the teachers union then stick up for it when teachers say they aren’t dues paying members. It’s ridiculous but it’s the same bs every single time.

Teachers have nothing to do with it and don't make the decisions for the unions. But, many teachers, as well as families/students, have already made plans - camps, jobs, visiting family/the other parent, travel, etc. My kids have jobs lined up and those extra days would have been an issue.

Who makes the decisions for the teachers' union?

The answer still isn’t “teachers.” When I belonged to the union, I was asked for my opinion maybe 2 times over 10 years.

That's who the teachers voted for to represent them.

+1. Elections have consequences. That no one “asked you” directly for an opinion as a teacher doesn’t mean you’re independent of the teacher’s union if you’re a dues paying memory. You can always email or call your union rep if something it being done that you don’t agree with (presuming you care enough to lift a finger rather than just pocket the extra vacation days you were gifted this year thanks to the snow.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It’s not a problem. Who is to say 180 is better than 160? School (esp hs) is over in early may. So the extra days are a joke. There’s no magical number of days that ensure kids learn.

Well gee, perhaps if 2/3 of MCPS kids can’t do math at grade level and 1\2 can’t read at grade level it’s better to not cut days of instruction. Just a thought. There’s several reasons that Massachusetts has one of the highest state test scores in the country and Maryland doesn’t and part of it is that they don’t have a crap attitude that instructional time isn’t a priority and try to ensure they have 180 days scheduled each year by scheduling 185 days—so they have 180 days most years even if blizzards occur unlike lazy MCPS who only schedules 181 and then has to beg for waivers to not teach kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Don’t do this to Mcps parents. They irrationally bash the teachers union then stick up for it when teachers say they aren’t dues paying members. It’s ridiculous but it’s the same bs every single time.

Teachers have nothing to do with it and don't make the decisions for the unions. But, many teachers, as well as families/students, have already made plans - camps, jobs, visiting family/the other parent, travel, etc. My kids have jobs lined up and those extra days would have been an issue.

Who makes the decisions for the teachers' union?

The answer still isn’t “teachers.” When I belonged to the union, I was asked for my opinion maybe 2 times over 10 years.

That's who the teachers voted for to represent them.

No. It’s not like Mcps teachers have a choice if there’s a union or not. Most of the time no one wants anything to do with the union but they get intimidated to join there are crazy union people in every school. If you’re a dues paying member should be no one’s business but your own, but no, you get put on a list anyone can see. Stop acting like you know anything about being a teacher.

MCEA is legally the exclusive representative of teachers, regardless of whether or not a particular teacher is a dues-paying member. If don't agree with the decisions of your representative, then either vote for different leaders to represent you, or vote to decertify the union to represent yourself. There's absolutely a choice.

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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?

Don’t do this to Mcps parents. They irrationally bash the teachers union then stick up for it when teachers say they aren’t dues paying members. It’s ridiculous but it’s the same bs every single time.

Teachers have nothing to do with it and don't make the decisions for the unions. But, many teachers, as well as families/students, have already made plans - camps, jobs, visiting family/the other parent, travel, etc. My kids have jobs lined up and those extra days would have been an issue.

Who makes the decisions for the teachers' union?

The answer still isn’t “teachers.” When I belonged to the union, I was asked for my opinion maybe 2 times over 10 years.

That's who the teachers voted for to represent them.

+1. Elections have consequences. That no one “asked you” directly for an opinion as a teacher doesn’t mean you’re independent of the teacher’s union if you’re a dues paying memory. You can always email or call your union rep if something it being done that you don’t agree with (presuming you care enough to lift a finger rather than just pocket the extra vacation days you were gifted this year thanks to the snow.)

As long as the union is certified, they represent everyone- whether you're a dues-paying member or not.