When did FCPS start opening before labor day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax has more teacher workdays than most districts. Many other districts have teacher workdays on the specialized holidays vs having both. We used to have school on Veteran’s Day.

The last day of school could have been June 12 if they made Veteran’s Day a school day and got rid of 2 teacher workdays.

Memorial day weekend should NOT be a 5 day weekend.

I am sorry, but there should be no 2 day weeks in May or June unless it happens to be the last week of school. For the families that celebrate the holiday of Eid that changes dates a few days out, give them excused absences with no work due and let the other 92% of FCPS students attend school that week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's normal to start school before Labor Day. Only ~16% of school districts in the country start after Labor Day.

You are incorrect.

Most states start school in August.

Exactly.



Almost all if not all of those schools starting in August are finished by Memorial Day.

And if they do happen to start after Labor Day they are done before the second week of June.

Sept 2-June 4 is one example I know of, yet nobody there complains about summer slide.

New Yorker here. Always started after Labor Day and ended mid/late June. Last day of school was usually June 24-26.

New York is one of the rare excrptions.

I know very few school districts that start after Labor Day and don’t end mid/late June. States also have different requirements regarding days. Some states require less than 180 days. The MAJORITY of the US starts in August at some point. I do not believe the MAJORITY ends at Memorial Day. Looking at some calendars today from a variety of districts, it looks like ending the 1st or 2nd week of June was more common. Now, not saying it doesn’t happen, but out of the 15 school calendars I looked at today from a variety of states, only one ended at Memorial Day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax has more teacher workdays than most districts. Many other districts have teacher workdays on the specialized holidays vs having both. We used to have school on Veteran’s Day.

The last day of school could have been June 12 if they made Veteran’s Day a school day and got rid of 2 teacher workdays.

FCPS has 15 teacher workdays, which I agree is too many and a good way to shorten the year. But this is a public school system and we should be getting rid of religious holidays before federal holidays. The extra religious holidays that were instituted a few years ago have added a week to the calendar.

Except this area is really diverse. There are schools in the county that would have 20-30 percent of the kids out on EID. How much learning is happening on these days if that many kids are out. How many teachers are out?

I would much rather they swapped these holidays for Teacher Workdays so teachers can take off if needed but no sub is needed.

For example, if the Jewish New Year is a teacher work day, make Columbus Day a school day. The days are now swapped.

Who cares if the kids are out for Eid? That's on the parents. It only matters if the schools can operate and there's no evidence that Eid (or any of the other religious holidays) have caused operational problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6 years ago. My child who is currently in 7th, started K after Labor Day, but started 1st before Labor Day.

Wrong. It started in August 2017. It’s now 2025. That’s eight (8) years ago.

I mean, I can't do math but I'm correct about the years. My child started K after Labor Day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"The August start should require FCPS ending Memorial Day weekend.

Each student should get 2 "free" days off for cultural and religious holidays, with the only religious holidays with no school being the ones where a large number (10%?? 15%??) Of students and teachers traditionally misding school.

Spring break should be tied to the end of the quarter.

Winter break should only go from 12/23-1/1, with school resuming on the 2nd. Getting off for Christmas is justified because of the sheer numbers of teachers and students who would miss that week, the federal offices and major businesses all closing or completely empty over that week, and the national holiday and cultural history of Christmas in the USA, not only as a religious holiday but also as a secular cultural holiday."

+1

I'm waiting for the rich white moms to come on and say "but, but, the international families travel home during that two weeks" as a way to justify their own international vacations over Christmas break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax has more teacher workdays than most districts. Many other districts have teacher workdays on the specialized holidays vs having both. We used to have school on Veteran’s Day.

The last day of school could have been June 12 if they made Veteran’s Day a school day and got rid of 2 teacher workdays.

FCPS has 15 teacher workdays, which I agree is too many and a good way to shorten the year. But this is a public school system and we should be getting rid of religious holidays before federal holidays. The extra religious holidays that were instituted a few years ago have added a week to the calendar.

Except this area is really diverse. There are schools in the county that would have 20-30 percent of the kids out on EID. How much learning is happening on these days if that many kids are out. How many teachers are out?

I would much rather they swapped these holidays for Teacher Workdays so teachers can take off if needed but no sub is needed.

For example, if the Jewish New Year is a teacher work day, make Columbus Day a school day. The days are now swapped.

Who cares if the kids are out for Eid? That's on the parents. It only matters if the schools can operate and there's no evidence that Eid (or any of the other religious holidays) have caused operational problems.

Most schools have a Muslim instructional staff too. If every school had 5 staff members take off in addition to the reasons such as sick leave, personal leave, etc, it becomes an operational problem. My school alone has a minimum of 5-10 Muslim employees and we are a smaller school. I truly don’t think parents get the sub shortage still.

[Anonymous]

Most parents wouldn’t bat an eye for the religious days off if there were less TWD. For example, Loudoun has some of the same holidays off but only has 34 days off. All has to do with TWD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax has more teacher workdays than most districts. Many other districts have teacher workdays on the specialized holidays vs having both. We used to have school on Veteran’s Day.

The last day of school could have been June 12 if they made Veteran’s Day a school day and got rid of 2 teacher workdays.

FCPS has 15 teacher workdays, which I agree is too many and a good way to shorten the year. But this is a public school system and we should be getting rid of religious holidays before federal holidays. The extra religious holidays that were instituted a few years ago have added a week to the calendar.

Except this area is really diverse. There are schools in the county that would have 20-30 percent of the kids out on EID. How much learning is happening on these days if that many kids are out. How many teachers are out?

I would much rather they swapped these holidays for Teacher Workdays so teachers can take off if needed but no sub is needed.

For example, if the Jewish New Year is a teacher work day, make Columbus Day a school day. The days are now swapped.

Who cares if the kids are out for Eid? That's on the parents. It only matters if the schools can operate and there's no evidence that Eid (or any of the other religious holidays) have caused operational problems.

Most schools have a Muslim instructional staff too. If every school had 5 staff members take off in addition to the reasons such as sick leave, personal leave, etc, it becomes an operational problem. My school alone has a minimum of 5-10 Muslim employees and we are a smaller school. I truly don’t think parents get the sub shortage still.

None of the data on absences (students or staff) supported these religious holidays. Random other days had higher absences. There is nothing to justify them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I prefer them starting earlier. So many summer activities start immediately after Memorial day, like summer swim team, yet our schools don't get out until mid June. August is too hot for travel anyways, they might as well go to school.

The beaches are usually the nicest in August. The water is warmer and since most other districts were back in school, the beaches were less crowded and hotels cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Tell FCPS to stop requiring so much repetitive PD for teachers, and there can be less TWDs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax has more teacher workdays than most districts. Many other districts have teacher workdays on the specialized holidays vs having both. We used to have school on Veteran’s Day.

The last day of school could have been June 12 if they made Veteran’s Day a school day and got rid of 2 teacher workdays.

FCPS has 15 teacher workdays, which I agree is too many and a good way to shorten the year. But this is a public school system and we should be getting rid of religious holidays before federal holidays. The extra religious holidays that were instituted a few years ago have added a week to the calendar.

Except this area is really diverse. There are schools in the county that would have 20-30 percent of the kids out on EID. How much learning is happening on these days if that many kids are out. How many teachers are out?

I would much rather they swapped these holidays for Teacher Workdays so teachers can take off if needed but no sub is needed.

For example, if the Jewish New Year is a teacher work day, make Columbus Day a school day. The days are now swapped.

Who cares if the kids are out for Eid? That's on the parents. It only matters if the schools can operate and there's no evidence that Eid (or any of the other religious holidays) have caused operational problems.

I think this was more a nod toward giving cultural weight or respect to non-christian religious observances. Also, if you are a politician and you want votes it's a good idea to be seen as advocating for "the group" even if the group itself has no interest, or places a low priority in taking the day off. It's still a win "for the group," I'm here, and you see me, and my beliefs are as important. The message is sent whether true or false, doesn't matter, that I'm in your corner.

When it becomes a Federal Holiday it will be non-performative.

Call me cynical but there is no obligation to abstain from work or school on these days, which makes it's performative all around.

I enjoyed having the extra week of summer break, great time to go to on much less crowded, and cheaper vacations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"The August start should require FCPS ending Memorial Day weekend.

Each student should get 2 "free" days off for cultural and religious holidays, with the only religious holidays with no school being the ones where a large number (10%?? 15%??) Of students and teachers traditionally misding school.

Spring break should be tied to the end of the quarter.

Winter break should only go from 12/23-1/1, with school resuming on the 2nd. Getting off for Christmas is justified because of the sheer numbers of teachers and students who would miss that week, the federal offices and major businesses all closing or completely empty over that week, and the national holiday and cultural history of Christmas in the USA, not only as a religious holiday but also as a secular cultural holiday."

+1

I'm waiting for the rich white moms to come on and say "but, but, the international families travel home during that two weeks" as a way to justify their own international vacations over Christmas break.

Except it's true. A great deal of people, from countries that don't celebrate Christmas, do travel home and some go for longer than two weeks. I don't travel during those two weeks because it's too expensive to do so. I'll drive to WV during winter break and stay off the mountain for a few days. I go out West over spring break because it's cheaper, they still get snow out West, especially so, when spring break is in March. Otherwise I'm a local, with local family, and I don't need to travel over winter break, and I think two weeks is too long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax has more teacher workdays than most districts. Many other districts have teacher workdays on the specialized holidays vs having both. We used to have school on Veteran’s Day.

The last day of school could have been June 12 if they made Veteran’s Day a school day and got rid of 2 teacher workdays.

FCPS has 15 teacher workdays, which I agree is too many and a good way to shorten the year. But this is a public school system and we should be getting rid of religious holidays before federal holidays. The extra religious holidays that were instituted a few years ago have added a week to the calendar.

Except this area is really diverse. There are schools in the county that would have 20-30 percent of the kids out on EID. How much learning is happening on these days if that many kids are out. How many teachers are out?

I would much rather they swapped these holidays for Teacher Workdays so teachers can take off if needed but no sub is needed.

For example, if the Jewish New Year is a teacher work day, make Columbus Day a school day. The days are now swapped.

Who cares if the kids are out for Eid? That's on the parents. It only matters if the schools can operate and there's no evidence that Eid (or any of the other religious holidays) have caused operational problems.

I think this was more a nod toward giving cultural weight or respect to non-christian religious observances. Also, if you are a politician and you want votes it's a good idea to be seen as advocating for "the group" even if the group itself has no interest, or places a low priority in taking the day off. It's still a win "for the group," I'm here, and you see me, and my beliefs are as important. The message is sent whether true or false, doesn't matter, that I'm in your corner.

When it becomes a Federal Holiday it will be non-performative.

Call me cynical but there is no obligation to abstain from work or school on these days, which makes it's performative all around.

I enjoyed having the extra week of summer break, great time to go to on much less crowded, and cheaper vacations.

This is spot on. There is no data to support the need for these holidays from an operational standpoint, people are just theorizing about that with no data. The reality is that these holidays are performative and pandering to certain groups because the school board is made up of people with higher political aspirations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"The August start should require FCPS ending Memorial Day weekend.

Each student should get 2 "free" days off for cultural and religious holidays, with the only religious holidays with no school being the ones where a large number (10%?? 15%??) Of students and teachers traditionally misding school.

Spring break should be tied to the end of the quarter.

Winter break should only go from 12/23-1/1, with school resuming on the 2nd. Getting off for Christmas is justified because of the sheer numbers of teachers and students who would miss that week, the federal offices and major businesses all closing or completely empty over that week, and the national holiday and cultural history of Christmas in the USA, not only as a religious holiday but also as a secular cultural holiday."

+1

I'm waiting for the rich white moms to come on and say "but, but, the international families travel home during that two weeks" as a way to justify their own international vacations over Christmas break.

Except it's true. A great deal of people, from countries that don't celebrate Christmas, do travel home and some go for longer than two weeks. I don't travel during those two weeks because it's too expensive to do so. I'll drive to WV during winter break and stay off the mountain for a few days. I go out West over spring break because it's cheaper, they still get snow out West, especially so, when spring break is in March. Otherwise I'm a local, with local family, and I don't need to travel over winter break, and I think two weeks is too long.

Call me crazy, but I would never move to another country and then expect the school calendar to be built around my desire to travel to my home country at a specific time of year. I would wait until there was a longer break from school, such as summer, to make that trip. Whatever happened to adapting to your surroundings?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why it starts before Labor Day and ends at the 3rd week of June? Winter break/spring break aren’t any days longer compared to former years.

They are shortening the summer break to lessen the effects of summer learning loss. The longer the summer break, the more kids forget what they learned during the previous year. With a break that’s a bit shorter, kids have less time to forget.

They are shortening the summer because they added a slew of religious and cultural holidays while maintaining the federal holidays and then included the teacher work days. This has nothing to do with caring about summer learning loss.

We are at the point where it would simply make more sense to move to year round school. Have 2 weeks off after each quarter and 6 weeks for summer. Use one of the off weeks for teacher workdays and professional development. Summer vacation is almost at that length now. Getting back the teacher work days would be helpful.