APS calendar options are here

[Anonymous]

Does APS have to observe and the religious AND federal holidays? Pick one. If we need to keep the religious ones, then drop Indigenous People's Day/Veteran's Day, etc. FCPS doesn't have these days off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. Why is spring break so late again? Either make it early March or add a Feb holiday.

Seriously? Winter break runs into early January. You need a week off less than two months later but are fine with no meaningful time off for the last three months of the school year?

+1
People want a late start, long winter break, a mid-Feb break, spring break, and early-June end date....but still observe all the holidays and religious days and give teachers planning/grade prep days. I'd love for one of those people to propose an actual calendar that does that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. Why is spring break so late again? Either make it early March or add a Feb holiday.

Seriously? Winter break runs into early January. You need a week off less than two months later but are fine with no meaningful time off for the last three months of the school year?

+1
People want a late start, long winter break, a mid-Feb break, spring break, and early-June end date....but still observe all the holidays and religious days and give teachers planning/grade prep days. I'd love for one of those people to propose an actual calendar that does that.

Some people don’t value education, they just want a place to stick their kid for seven hours when it’s not convenient to have them around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So a spring break (6 school days) is followed by a choppy three day week? Ugh. Just stupid.

Option 3 is ok in that regard. Having a 4-day week after a long break is easier than a full week and at least it's 2 consecutive days separated by one day off rather than the obnoxious 1 day on/1 day off/2 days on nonsense that we apparently cannot avoid in November (election day/Veterans day week!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does APS have to observe and the religious AND federal holidays? Pick one. If we need to keep the religious ones, then drop Indigenous People's Day/Veteran's Day, etc. FCPS doesn't have these days off.

This is really convenient proposal when Christmas is a federal holiday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that if you pull your kid out for a religious holiday that APS does not observe, it’s an unexcused absence? Someone over on AEM is trying to say that. Complaining that her kids won’t get off for the holiday so will now take an unexcused absence.

She’s complaining about Diwali. Which is on a Sunday and is excused. But she is also a known loon. So I’m assuming that is the issue

She's complaining Diwali isn't even acknowledged on next year's calendar. It's clearly acknowledged this year with this Monday a day off. And she doesn't seem to mind that NO religious holiday that falls on a weekend day is "acknowledged" on the calendar. Christmas and Easter are not noted on the calendar. I wish we'd stop making the day after Easter a grade prep day.
I like option 3. Shorter winter break, least disruptive second half of the year without the stupid chopped up 3-day week after spring break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The APS way is to survey the community without truly considering their input. Their decision is made. It is option 1 regardless of the negative feedback they will receive. Take it to the bank from an APS teacher familiar with some of their decision making processes. I’m sure they had a meeting with all the central office people recently added to go over for the wording for this little press release. Shortening our summer, adding days and minutes to the school day. Thanks APS for showing your appreciation during the teacher shortage.

I didn't see the announcement. Don't know why. I'm on APS School Talk and get all the Friday 5s and such. Can someone post the announcement, please?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This year, we started one week before Labor Day & have a 2 week winter break. How on earth is the only way we can start & end at the same time next year is by shortening winter break?? Not to mention the extra minutes. They need to have fewer, more efficient days. Ugh. It’s going to awful to start Aug 21 & STILL go to mid-June. And for what?

To be in line with Fairfax. Thanks APE for pushing this.

APE killed the nice long winter break. Thanks, APE.

If so, then yes! THank you APE!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The APS way is to survey the community without truly considering their input. Their decision is made. It is option 1 regardless of the negative feedback they will receive. Take it to the bank from an APS teacher familiar with some of their decision making processes. I’m sure they had a meeting with all the central office people recently added to go over for the wording for this little press release. Shortening our summer, adding days and minutes to the school day. Thanks APS for showing your appreciation during the teacher shortage.

I didn't see the announcement. Don't know why. I'm on APS School Talk and get all the Friday 5s and such. Can someone post the announcement, please?

It was in yesterday’s School Talk email. Here is the text of the announcement:

2023-24 School Year Calendar Survey Starts Oct. 25

APS is seeking input from students, staff, families, and community members related to the development of the 2023-24 School Year Calendar. The calendar survey will be available to be completed between October 25 – November 8. There will be three calendar options available for the community to review and all calendar options have a school start date prior to Labor Day. Based on feedback received from the community, one of the calendar options aligns with the school year calendars of neighboring school divisions.

An email will be sent as a reminder on Tuesday, October 25 when the survey becomes available for the community to complete. The School Board will act on the 2023-24 School Year Calendar at the School Board Meeting scheduled for December 15, 2022. For additional information on the 2023-24 school year calendar and to view the school year calendar options, visit the Development of the 2023-24 School Year Calendar webpage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People have been complaining about the two week winter break since before APE existed. It’s nice for affluent families who want to travel, but a huge burden on working class families that have to find and pay for alternative childcare for those two weeks.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The APS way is to survey the community without truly considering their input. Their decision is made. It is option 1 regardless of the negative feedback they will receive. Take it to the bank from an APS teacher familiar with some of their decision making processes. I’m sure they had a meeting with all the central office people recently added to go over for the wording for this little press release. Shortening our summer, adding days and minutes to the school day. Thanks APS for showing your appreciation during the teacher shortage.

I didn't see the announcement. Don't know why. I'm on APS School Talk and get all the Friday 5s and such. Can someone post the announcement, please?

It was in yesterday’s School Talk email. Here is the text of the announcement:

2023-24 School Year Calendar Survey Starts Oct. 25

APS is seeking input from students, staff, families, and community members related to the development of the 2023-24 School Year Calendar. The calendar survey will be available to be completed between October 25 – November 8. There will be three calendar options available for the community to review and all calendar options have a school start date prior to Labor Day. Based on feedback received from the community, one of the calendar options aligns with the school year calendars of neighboring school divisions.

An email will be sent as a reminder on Tuesday, October 25 when the survey becomes available for the community to complete. The School Board will act on the 2023-24 School Year Calendar at the School Board Meeting scheduled for December 15, 2022. For additional information on the 2023-24 school year calendar and to view the school year calendar options, visit the Development of the 2023-24 School Year Calendar webpage.

Thank you! I never got that one...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. Why is spring break so late again? Either make it early March or add a Feb holiday.

Seriously? Winter break runs into early January. You need a week off less than two months later but are fine with no meaningful time off for the last three months of the school year?

+1
People want a late start, long winter break, a mid-Feb break, spring break, and early-June end date....but still observe all the holidays and religious days and give teachers planning/grade prep days. I'd love for one of those people to propose an actual calendar that does that.

Lame strawman. No one person is asking for all of that.

I'm the top PP and I don't think we should have any religious holidays - including Christmas. I'm ok with starting end of August and getting out mid-June end. Consolidate the days off so we don't have a bunch of one offs. Have better spacing between the breaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. Why is spring break so late again? Either make it early March or add a Feb holiday.

Seriously? Winter break runs into early January. You need a week off less than two months later but are fine with no meaningful time off for the last three months of the school year?

+1
People want a late start, long winter break, a mid-Feb break, spring break, and early-June end date....but still observe all the holidays and religious days and give teachers planning/grade prep days. I'd love for one of those people to propose an actual calendar that does that.

Lame strawman. No one person is asking for all of that.

I'm the top PP and I don't think we should have any religious holidays - including Christmas. I'm ok with starting end of August and getting out mid-June end. Consolidate the days off so we don't have a bunch of one offs. Have better spacing between the breaks.

So move winter break to start with New Years Eve and run through early January?

I mean, I agree with you that we shouldn’t be prioritizing certain religions’ holidays over others, but they probably wouldn’t be able to get enough subs to cover all of the teachers who would call out on Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. Why is spring break so late again? Either make it early March or add a Feb holiday.

Seriously? Winter break runs into early January. You need a week off less than two months later but are fine with no meaningful time off for the last three months of the school year?

+1
People want a late start, long winter break, a mid-Feb break, spring break, and early-June end date....but still observe all the holidays and religious days and give teachers planning/grade prep days. I'd love for one of those people to propose an actual calendar that does that.

Lame strawman. No one person is asking for all of that.

I'm the top PP and I don't think we should have any religious holidays - including Christmas. I'm ok with starting end of August and getting out mid-June end. Consolidate the days off so we don't have a bunch of one offs. Have better spacing between the breaks.

So move winter break to start with New Years Eve and run through early January?

I mean, I agree with you that we shouldn’t be prioritizing certain religions’ holidays over others, but they probably wouldn’t be able to get enough subs to cover all of the teachers who would call out on Christmas.

Exactly, the fact is in this country. The majority of citizens celebrate the Christmas holiday. That’s why it qualifies as a federal holiday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does APS have to observe and the religious AND federal holidays? Pick one. If we need to keep the religious ones, then drop Indigenous People's Day/Veteran's Day, etc. FCPS doesn't have these days off.

This is really convenient proposal when Christmas is a federal holiday.

Private companies don't observe all Federal holidays. It makes sense to coordinate with working parent schedules.

Having school on Xmas is a ridiculous strawman. I'm fine with school on Easter Monday, Good Friday, Ash Wednesday, Assention and Assumption and other Christian holidays that are observed in other places.