2022-2023 calendar question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do quarters matter? Just thinking back to my own education (in CA) we operated on a semester system with both mid-year and end-of-year grades, and some elective classes were only single-semester (but most classes were year-long), so a semester break made sense (usually end of January) and usually we got a couple days off then for what I presume were teacher workdays to grade and reset before the new semester began.

But in a year-long class (English, Math, Social Studies, etc.) we worked on "units" of material during the year and we'd get tested on them, but they didn't necessarily align to quarters per se (which was nice, you usually weren't reviewing for tests or completeing major projects for multiple classes with the exact same cadence or deadlines). Some didn't really even adhere too much to the semester break (other than delivering grades, but materials/content-wise it was pretty seamless).

Is it different now/here that things are meaningfully broken up by quarter?

You're right... it really doesn't matter. And our single-semester electives work out just fine right now even though they do not align with the 2 week winter break. But, in my opinion, it is kind of a nice way to split up the calendar.

[Anonymous]

I’m confused by the “O” days (in orange on the calendar). Do kids have school on those days? I hate the calendar this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m confused by the “O” days (in orange on the calendar). Do kids have school on those days? I hate the calendar this year.

Yes, they have school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why we don't start earlier in August like everyone else? Most other school districts start around August 15th. That way the quarter ends could all be aligned with school holidays, too, most notably spring break.

I would love to start earlier and align breaks in a more consistent fashion. I posted this calendar (from my old school district) on a different thread.

https://news.kleinisd.net/2021/12/13/klein-isd-board-of-trustees-approve-2022-2023-academic-calendar/

I wish more people would push for this type of calendar.

You can’t compare a calendar from a school district located somewhere with year round warmer weather. People don’t mind school getting out early and starting early when there is summer weather starting in March/April, and they don’t mind longer breaks during the year if the weather is favorable to outdoor activities where they live or within close driving distance. Here we don’t get truly warm weather until almost June most years. The summer months are the only time you can realistically do the pool, beach, splash pads, etc. Even March here can be uncomfortably cold to hang out outside. Many families like having more free time during the warm months. Unless you can afford skiing it’s not that fun to have long breaks when the weather is crappy. It’s a different lifestyle on warm weather states where you can be outside most of the year. Much easier and more fun to have free time with kids when it’s nice out.

I thought you were going to give a reason like work schedule. I’m so sick of bowing to parents who can’t stand hanging out with their kids and don’t want to parent. You don’t want to hang out with your kids because it’s too cold out? GMAFB.

Nice try. Who do you think is taking them outside when they’re on break? I am off with my kids in the summer. We hang out all the time. It’s much easier to keep them busy and active when the weather is nice. No one wants to play outside or go on fun outings when it’s cold and windy. You sound like someone who hasn’t spent time with young kids all day for many days in a row. Outside time is pretty important. Or does your family sit around playing board games all day? Or maybe you’re one of those oblivious people who just thinks everyone can afford to go on vacation on every break? My kids have a lot of energy. Simple things like walking to get ice cream are a great part of being off during warm weather. I would bet good money I’ve spent more time with my children than you.

Lol. I was a SAHM for 10 years and I enjoyed (and still enjoy!) being outside and active with my kids in all kinds of weather. Not sure what going on vacation has to do with anything.

Working parent here. We can find camps and daycare at any time of year but it’s much easier when the weather is nice. The camps with outdoor options are better and more enjoyable for a lot of kids. Mine don’t want to go to a week long indoor camp during the cold months unless they absolutely have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why we don't start earlier in August like everyone else? Most other school districts start around August 15th. That way the quarter ends could all be aligned with school holidays, too, most notably spring break.

I would love to start earlier and align breaks in a more consistent fashion. I posted this calendar (from my old school district) on a different thread.

https://news.kleinisd.net/2021/12/13/klein-isd-board-of-trustees-approve-2022-2023-academic-calendar/

I wish more people would push for this type of calendar.

You can’t compare a calendar from a school district located somewhere with year round warmer weather. People don’t mind school getting out early and starting early when there is summer weather starting in March/April, and they don’t mind longer breaks during the year if the weather is favorable to outdoor activities where they live or within close driving distance. Here we don’t get truly warm weather until almost June most years. The summer months are the only time you can realistically do the pool, beach, splash pads, etc. Even March here can be uncomfortably cold to hang out outside. Many families like having more free time during the warm months. Unless you can afford skiing it’s not that fun to have long breaks when the weather is crappy. It’s a different lifestyle on warm weather states where you can be outside most of the year. Much easier and more fun to have free time with kids when it’s nice out.

I thought you were going to give a reason like work schedule. I’m so sick of bowing to parents who can’t stand hanging out with their kids and don’t want to parent. You don’t want to hang out with your kids because it’s too cold out? GMAFB.

Nice try. Who do you think is taking them outside when they’re on break? I am off with my kids in the summer. We hang out all the time. It’s much easier to keep them busy and active when the weather is nice. No one wants to play outside or go on fun outings when it’s cold and windy. You sound like someone who hasn’t spent time with young kids all day for many days in a row. Outside time is pretty important. Or does your family sit around playing board games all day? Or maybe you’re one of those oblivious people who just thinks everyone can afford to go on vacation on every break? My kids have a lot of energy. Simple things like walking to get ice cream are a great part of being off during warm weather. I would bet good money I’ve spent more time with my children than you.

Lol. I was a SAHM for 10 years and I enjoyed (and still enjoy!) being outside and active with my kids in all kinds of weather. Not sure what going on vacation has to do with anything.

Working parent here. We can find camps and daycare at any time of year but it’s much easier when the weather is nice. The camps with outdoor options are better and more enjoyable for a lot of kids. Mine don’t want to go to a week long indoor camp during the cold months unless they absolutely have to.

Hm...my kids do a few weeks of outdoor camp before it just gets WAY too hot for them. They don't want to be outside all day in July and August - would you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain why we don't start earlier in August like everyone else? Most other school districts start around August 15th. That way the quarter ends could all be aligned with school holidays, too, most notably spring break.

I would love to start earlier and align breaks in a more consistent fashion. I posted this calendar (from my old school district) on a different thread.

https://news.kleinisd.net/2021/12/13/klein-isd-board-of-trustees-approve-2022-2023-academic-calendar/

I wish more people would push for this type of calendar.

You can’t compare a calendar from a school district located somewhere with year round warmer weather. People don’t mind school getting out early and starting early when there is summer weather starting in March/April, and they don’t mind longer breaks during the year if the weather is favorable to outdoor activities where they live or within close driving distance. Here we don’t get truly warm weather until almost June most years. The summer months are the only time you can realistically do the pool, beach, splash pads, etc. Even March here can be uncomfortably cold to hang out outside. Many families like having more free time during the warm months. Unless you can afford skiing it’s not that fun to have long breaks when the weather is crappy. It’s a different lifestyle on warm weather states where you can be outside most of the year. Much easier and more fun to have free time with kids when it’s nice out.

I thought you were going to give a reason like work schedule. I’m so sick of bowing to parents who can’t stand hanging out with their kids and don’t want to parent. You don’t want to hang out with your kids because it’s too cold out? GMAFB.

Nice try. Who do you think is taking them outside when they’re on break? I am off with my kids in the summer. We hang out all the time. It’s much easier to keep them busy and active when the weather is nice. No one wants to play outside or go on fun outings when it’s cold and windy. You sound like someone who hasn’t spent time with young kids all day for many days in a row. Outside time is pretty important. Or does your family sit around playing board games all day? Or maybe you’re one of those oblivious people who just thinks everyone can afford to go on vacation on every break? My kids have a lot of energy. Simple things like walking to get ice cream are a great part of being off during warm weather. I would bet good money I’ve spent more time with my children than you.

Lol. I was a SAHM for 10 years and I enjoyed (and still enjoy!) being outside and active with my kids in all kinds of weather. Not sure what going on vacation has to do with anything.

Working parent here. We can find camps and daycare at any time of year but it’s much easier when the weather is nice. The camps with outdoor options are better and more enjoyable for a lot of kids. Mine don’t want to go to a week long indoor camp during the cold months unless they absolutely have to.

Hm...my kids do a few weeks of outdoor camp before it just gets WAY too hot for them. They don't want to be outside all day in July and August - would you?

Late Spring and Fall would be amazing for outdoor camps. I wish we had spring break when it’s nice out and also a week long fall break. My kids hate being outside in the summer, it gets too hot to be active outside all day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the FCPS calendar has become worse (especially for working parents) over the past 9 years.

When my DD started K, elementary schools had half day Mondays, and we started AFTER Labor Day and I believe we were out the Friday after Memorial Day. Then we had the winter of hell her First Grade year (I think they went to school 1 day the whole month?), which led FCPS to switch to days vs. hours (or maybe the reverse? hours vs days?) for the following year.

Ever since, we have the Quarter End early release, then the two following days, the religious days, the days where no new content can be introduced/no tests given and just random days here and there. It just seems like we rarely get a full week without a full day off (yes, I realize that half day on Mondays wouldn't count as a "full week."). Call me crazy, but it seems like Working Parents now have to take more days off than with a calendar like that.

Call me crazy but it just seemed easier to know that every Monday (in elementary) was a half day - you could schedule Doctors/Dentists/take a long weekend, etc and it seemed like we actually went to school more, and with more consistency. And the teachers knew that every Monday could be used for planning and meetings. Seems like a good deal for everyone?

I also think it's silly that due to SOLs there is no new content taught after April 30 (or so) and the remainder of the year is SOL Review, SOLs and then.....sitting around? It seems crazy that the second half of May and all of June is spent - doing nothing.

My DD's K teacher told me students are actively checked out after Memorial Day. And she was right. Once the pools open, noone wants to be in school. So why are we?

Because schools matter and our kids need to learn. Maybe? The majority of developed world already has more instruction days at school than we do. The entire continent of Europe has school from 9/1 to 6/30. In many Asian countries, students attend school 6 days a week. How do we expect our kids not to fall behind everyone else? How do we stay globally competitive? Should we all just give up on our kids and send them out - in summer to the pools and in winter to a ski slope? I think we have done enough disservice to our kids by taking the textbooks away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the FCPS calendar has become worse (especially for working parents) over the past 9 years.

When my DD started K, elementary schools had half day Mondays, and we started AFTER Labor Day and I believe we were out the Friday after Memorial Day. Then we had the winter of hell her First Grade year (I think they went to school 1 day the whole month?), which led FCPS to switch to days vs. hours (or maybe the reverse? hours vs days?) for the following year.

Ever since, we have the Quarter End early release, then the two following days, the religious days, the days where no new content can be introduced/no tests given and just random days here and there. It just seems like we rarely get a full week without a full day off (yes, I realize that half day on Mondays wouldn't count as a "full week."). Call me crazy, but it seems like Working Parents now have to take more days off than with a calendar like that.

Call me crazy but it just seemed easier to know that every Monday (in elementary) was a half day - you could schedule Doctors/Dentists/take a long weekend, etc and it seemed like we actually went to school more, and with more consistency. And the teachers knew that every Monday could be used for planning and meetings. Seems like a good deal for everyone?

I also think it's silly that due to SOLs there is no new content taught after April 30 (or so) and the remainder of the year is SOL Review, SOLs and then.....sitting around? It seems crazy that the second half of May and all of June is spent - doing nothing.

My DD's K teacher told me students are actively checked out after Memorial Day. And she was right. Once the pools open, noone wants to be in school. So why are we?

Because schools matter and our kids need to learn. Maybe? The majority of developed world already has more instruction days at school than we do. The entire continent of Europe has school from 9/1 to 6/30. In many Asian countries, students attend school 6 days a week. How do we expect our kids not to fall behind everyone else? How do we stay globally competitive? Should we all just give up on our kids and send them out - in summer to the pools and in winter to a ski slope? I think we have done enough disservice to our kids by taking the textbooks away.

So, same amount of school as us just shifted two weeks. I have a friend in the UK and they have two full weeks at Christmas, two full weeks at Easter, plus a week long Fall break in October and a week long break in February.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the FCPS calendar has become worse (especially for working parents) over the past 9 years.

When my DD started K, elementary schools had half day Mondays, and we started AFTER Labor Day and I believe we were out the Friday after Memorial Day. Then we had the winter of hell her First Grade year (I think they went to school 1 day the whole month?), which led FCPS to switch to days vs. hours (or maybe the reverse? hours vs days?) for the following year.

Ever since, we have the Quarter End early release, then the two following days, the religious days, the days where no new content can be introduced/no tests given and just random days here and there. It just seems like we rarely get a full week without a full day off (yes, I realize that half day on Mondays wouldn't count as a "full week."). Call me crazy, but it seems like Working Parents now have to take more days off than with a calendar like that.

Call me crazy but it just seemed easier to know that every Monday (in elementary) was a half day - you could schedule Doctors/Dentists/take a long weekend, etc and it seemed like we actually went to school more, and with more consistency. And the teachers knew that every Monday could be used for planning and meetings. Seems like a good deal for everyone?

I also think it's silly that due to SOLs there is no new content taught after April 30 (or so) and the remainder of the year is SOL Review, SOLs and then.....sitting around? It seems crazy that the second half of May and all of June is spent - doing nothing.

My DD's K teacher told me students are actively checked out after Memorial Day. And she was right. Once the pools open, noone wants to be in school. So why are we?

Because schools matter and our kids need to learn. Maybe? The majority of developed world already has more instruction days at school than we do. The entire continent of Europe has school from 9/1 to 6/30. In many Asian countries, students attend school 6 days a week. How do we expect our kids not to fall behind everyone else? How do we stay globally competitive? Should we all just give up on our kids and send them out - in summer to the pools and in winter to a ski slope? I think we have done enough disservice to our kids by taking the textbooks away.

So what? I don’t want to be like Asia in anyway. Have you seen what is happening in China??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the FCPS calendar has become worse (especially for working parents) over the past 9 years.

When my DD started K, elementary schools had half day Mondays, and we started AFTER Labor Day and I believe we were out the Friday after Memorial Day. Then we had the winter of hell her First Grade year (I think they went to school 1 day the whole month?), which led FCPS to switch to days vs. hours (or maybe the reverse? hours vs days?) for the following year.

Ever since, we have the Quarter End early release, then the two following days, the religious days, the days where no new content can be introduced/no tests given and just random days here and there. It just seems like we rarely get a full week without a full day off (yes, I realize that half day on Mondays wouldn't count as a "full week."). Call me crazy, but it seems like Working Parents now have to take more days off than with a calendar like that.

Call me crazy but it just seemed easier to know that every Monday (in elementary) was a half day - you could schedule Doctors/Dentists/take a long weekend, etc and it seemed like we actually went to school more, and with more consistency. And the teachers knew that every Monday could be used for planning and meetings. Seems like a good deal for everyone?

I also think it's silly that due to SOLs there is no new content taught after April 30 (or so) and the remainder of the year is SOL Review, SOLs and then.....sitting around? It seems crazy that the second half of May and all of June is spent - doing nothing.

My DD's K teacher told me students are actively checked out after Memorial Day. And she was right. Once the pools open, noone wants to be in school. So why are we?

Because schools matter and our kids need to learn. Maybe? The majority of developed world already has more instruction days at school than we do. The entire continent of Europe has school from 9/1 to 6/30. In many Asian countries, students attend school 6 days a week. How do we expect our kids not to fall behind everyone else? How do we stay globally competitive? Should we all just give up on our kids and send them out - in summer to the pools and in winter to a ski slope? I think we have done enough disservice to our kids by taking the textbooks away.

So, same amount of school as us just shifted two weeks. I have a friend in the UK and they have two full weeks at Christmas, two full weeks at Easter, plus a week long Fall break in October and a week long break in February.

This was my thought too - Europe is off all the friggin time. They are hardly an example of a more robust calendar. BUT - they also in many countries have much worse rates of women working - in key part because of all the times there is no school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the FCPS calendar has become worse (especially for working parents) over the past 9 years.

When my DD started K, elementary schools had half day Mondays, and we started AFTER Labor Day and I believe we were out the Friday after Memorial Day. Then we had the winter of hell her First Grade year (I think they went to school 1 day the whole month?), which led FCPS to switch to days vs. hours (or maybe the reverse? hours vs days?) for the following year.

Ever since, we have the Quarter End early release, then the two following days, the religious days, the days where no new content can be introduced/no tests given and just random days here and there. It just seems like we rarely get a full week without a full day off (yes, I realize that half day on Mondays wouldn't count as a "full week."). Call me crazy, but it seems like Working Parents now have to take more days off than with a calendar like that.

Call me crazy but it just seemed easier to know that every Monday (in elementary) was a half day - you could schedule Doctors/Dentists/take a long weekend, etc and it seemed like we actually went to school more, and with more consistency. And the teachers knew that every Monday could be used for planning and meetings. Seems like a good deal for everyone?

I also think it's silly that due to SOLs there is no new content taught after April 30 (or so) and the remainder of the year is SOL Review, SOLs and then.....sitting around? It seems crazy that the second half of May and all of June is spent - doing nothing.

My DD's K teacher told me students are actively checked out after Memorial Day. And she was right. Once the pools open, noone wants to be in school. So why are we?

Because schools matter and our kids need to learn. Maybe? The majority of developed world already has more instruction days at school than we do. The entire continent of Europe has school from 9/1 to 6/30. In many Asian countries, students attend school 6 days a week. How do we expect our kids not to fall behind everyone else? How do we stay globally competitive? Should we all just give up on our kids and send them out - in summer to the pools and in winter to a ski slope? I think we have done enough disservice to our kids by taking the textbooks away.

So, same amount of school as us just shifted two weeks. I have a friend in the UK and they have two full weeks at Christmas, two full weeks at Easter, plus a week long Fall break in October and a week long break in February.

This was my thought too - Europe is off all the friggin time. They are hardly an example of a more robust calendar. BUT - they also in many countries have much worse rates of women working - in key part because of all the times there is no school.

FCPS is off more that the UK calendar.

[Anonymous]

They should do one week at Christmas and a fall break

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should do one week at Christmas and a fall break

Why do not need a break in fall - there are tons of federal holidays alone to break it up. Why add a week off on top of that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the FCPS calendar has become worse (especially for working parents) over the past 9 years.

When my DD started K, elementary schools had half day Mondays, and we started AFTER Labor Day and I believe we were out the Friday after Memorial Day. Then we had the winter of hell her First Grade year (I think they went to school 1 day the whole month?), which led FCPS to switch to days vs. hours (or maybe the reverse? hours vs days?) for the following year.

Ever since, we have the Quarter End early release, then the two following days, the religious days, the days where no new content can be introduced/no tests given and just random days here and there. It just seems like we rarely get a full week without a full day off (yes, I realize that half day on Mondays wouldn't count as a "full week."). Call me crazy, but it seems like Working Parents now have to take more days off than with a calendar like that.

Call me crazy but it just seemed easier to know that every Monday (in elementary) was a half day - you could schedule Doctors/Dentists/take a long weekend, etc and it seemed like we actually went to school more, and with more consistency. And the teachers knew that every Monday could be used for planning and meetings. Seems like a good deal for everyone?

I also think it's silly that due to SOLs there is no new content taught after April 30 (or so) and the remainder of the year is SOL Review, SOLs and then.....sitting around? It seems crazy that the second half of May and all of June is spent - doing nothing.

My DD's K teacher told me students are actively checked out after Memorial Day. And she was right. Once the pools open, noone wants to be in school. So why are we?

Because schools matter and our kids need to learn. Maybe? The majority of developed world already has more instruction days at school than we do. The entire continent of Europe has school from 9/1 to 6/30. In many Asian countries, students attend school 6 days a week. How do we expect our kids not to fall behind everyone else? How do we stay globally competitive? Should we all just give up on our kids and send them out - in summer to the pools and in winter to a ski slope? I think we have done enough disservice to our kids by taking the textbooks away.

So, same amount of school as us just shifted two weeks. I have a friend in the UK and they have two full weeks at Christmas, two full weeks at Easter, plus a week long Fall break in October and a week long break in February.

This was my thought too - Europe is off all the friggin time. They are hardly an example of a more robust calendar. BUT - they also in many countries have much worse rates of women working - in key part because of all the times there is no school.

Many European countries have more shorter breaks and a shorter summer break. They are not out more than the US. They do have fewer random holidays off and there is more consistency.