Extended year for 11 schools. Is this a pilot for the rest of the schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

How unequal would that be! All the extended year schools EOTP and all regular day schools WOTP?! The optics would be awful for the chancellor.

Optics schmoptics. If my school went extended year, we would go private in a minute.

I get the value of full-year for some kids. But I value a summer break so highly that I would simply not put them in year-round school.

[Anonymous]

"them" meaning "my kids"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

Why? We are in a WOTP elementary and I don't have any issue with an extended school year set up. In fact, I quite like the idea of broken up breaks and being able to travel at times of the year when destinations are less crowded. Summer is my least favorite time to travel due to crowds and weather, but I don't believe in pulling my children from school at other times to travel. I also don't think there's anything sacred about 8 weeks off in the summer and find it to be a pain to schedule various camps and deal with before and aftercare and much less (i.e. not walkable) convenient commutes to camps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

Why? We are in a WOTP elementary and I don't have any issue with an extended school year set up. In fact, I quite like the idea of broken up breaks and being able to travel at times of the year when destinations are less crowded. Summer is my least favorite time to travel due to crowds and weather, but I don't believe in pulling my children from school at other times to travel. I also don't think there's anything sacred about 8 weeks off in the summer and find it to be a pain to schedule various camps and deal with before and aftercare and much less (i.e. not walkable) convenient commutes to camps.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

Why? We are in a WOTP elementary and I don't have any issue with an extended school year set up. In fact, I quite like the idea of broken up breaks and being able to travel at times of the year when destinations are less crowded. Summer is my least favorite time to travel due to crowds and weather, but I don't believe in pulling my children from school at other times to travel. I also don't think there's anything sacred about 8 weeks off in the summer and find it to be a pain to schedule various camps and deal with before and aftercare and much less (i.e. not walkable) convenient commutes to camps.

I think you would be in the minority. I for one would move to Moco asap. My kid doesn't need that much school and is burn out by 180 days as is.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the Janney 3rd grade boys should be in an extended school year pilot.

JK!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

Why? We are in a WOTP elementary and I don't have any issue with an extended school year set up. In fact, I quite like the idea of broken up breaks and being able to travel at times of the year when destinations are less crowded. Summer is my least favorite time to travel due to crowds and weather, but I don't believe in pulling my children from school at other times to travel. I also don't think there's anything sacred about 8 weeks off in the summer and find it to be a pain to schedule various camps and deal with before and aftercare and much less (i.e. not walkable) convenient commutes to camps.

Your reasoning doesn't address what's developmentally best for your children, but rather the convenience of daycare and your travel preferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

Why? We are in a WOTP elementary and I don't have any issue with an extended school year set up. In fact, I quite like the idea of broken up breaks and being able to travel at times of the year when destinations are less crowded. Summer is my least favorite time to travel due to crowds and weather, but I don't believe in pulling my children from school at other times to travel. I also don't think there's anything sacred about 8 weeks off in the summer and find it to be a pain to schedule various camps and deal with before and aftercare and much less (i.e. not walkable) convenient commutes to camps.

I think you would be in the minority. I for one would move to Moco asap. My kid doesn't need that much school and is burn out by 180 days as is.

+1
We would leave the DCPS system, too. Also, I have already heard of teachers fleeing the extended day program for the traditional schedule. It would behoove DCPS to do some outreach this time to families and teachers before implementing it to make sure they are on board. (Tall order, I know).

[Anonymous]

Let's all not get too worked up yet. So far it's a pilot program. If they do it right, it will be one of the many "options" out there.

I do know teachers have fled, however, as my kid's teach this year is one who did just that!

[Anonymous]

I'm more worried about how teachers would react. I can see the high performing teachers heading for the hills if all DC schools turned extended year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

Why? We are in a WOTP elementary and I don't have any issue with an extended school year set up. In fact, I quite like the idea of broken up breaks and being able to travel at times of the year when destinations are less crowded. Summer is my least favorite time to travel due to crowds and weather, but I don't believe in pulling my children from school at other times to travel. I also don't think there's anything sacred about 8 weeks off in the summer and find it to be a pain to schedule various camps and deal with before and aftercare and much less (i.e. not walkable) convenient commutes to camps.

Your reasoning doesn't address what's developmentally best for your children, but rather the convenience of daycare and your travel preferences.

So your reasoning for sticking with the traditional US model is that there's something developmentally best about having 8 weeks off in a row in the summer? All the research I've ever seen points to a loss of learning over such a long break, for all categories of students, particularly in the areas of math and foreign languages. Sure, I didn't address that in my post because I would think that would be an obvious point? The added benefits to me would be the ability to travel at less expensive/crowded times and not having to deal with 8 weeks of rotating camps, visiting relatives, beach vacation, etc. 8 weeks is a long break, my children tire of the novelty of camps about halfway through the summer, no matter which ones they choose and are pretty much over summer by 6 weeks in at the latest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

Why? We are in a WOTP elementary and I don't have any issue with an extended school year set up. In fact, I quite like the idea of broken up breaks and being able to travel at times of the year when destinations are less crowded. Summer is my least favorite time to travel due to crowds and weather, but I don't believe in pulling my children from school at other times to travel. I also don't think there's anything sacred about 8 weeks off in the summer and find it to be a pain to schedule various camps and deal with before and aftercare and much less (i.e. not walkable) convenient commutes to camps.

Your reasoning doesn't address what's developmentally best for your children, but rather the convenience of daycare and your travel preferences.

So your reasoning for sticking with the traditional US model is that there's something developmentally best about having 8 weeks off in a row in the summer? All the research I've ever seen points to a loss of learning over such a long break, for all categories of students, particularly in the areas of math and foreign languages. Sure, I didn't address that in my post because I would think that would be an obvious point? The added benefits to me would be the ability to travel at less expensive/crowded times and not having to deal with 8 weeks of rotating camps, visiting relatives, beach vacation, etc. 8 weeks is a long break, my children tire of the novelty of camps about halfway through the summer, no matter which ones they choose and are pretty much over summer by 6 weeks in at the latest.

Yes. I think it's great for kids to have an extended break in the summer. They need more time to play in an unstructured environment than they get during school. My kids enjoy camp, time at the pool, hours playing with Legos or reading, and I look forward to them being able to go to a month or two of sleepaway camp when they are a little older -- that will be far more educational and positive for their lives than another month of worksheets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

Why? We are in a WOTP elementary and I don't have any issue with an extended school year set up. In fact, I quite like the idea of broken up breaks and being able to travel at times of the year when destinations are less crowded. Summer is my least favorite time to travel due to crowds and weather, but I don't believe in pulling my children from school at other times to travel. I also don't think there's anything sacred about 8 weeks off in the summer and find it to be a pain to schedule various camps and deal with before and aftercare and much less (i.e. not walkable) convenient commutes to camps.

Your reasoning doesn't address what's developmentally best for your children, but rather the convenience of daycare and your travel preferences.

So your reasoning for sticking with the traditional US model is that there's something developmentally best about having 8 weeks off in a row in the summer? All the research I've ever seen points to a loss of learning over such a long break, for all categories of students, particularly in the areas of math and foreign languages. Sure, I didn't address that in my post because I would think that would be an obvious point? The added benefits to me would be the ability to travel at less expensive/crowded times and not having to deal with 8 weeks of rotating camps, visiting relatives, beach vacation, etc. 8 weeks is a long break, my children tire of the novelty of camps about halfway through the summer, no matter which ones they choose and are pretty much over summer by 6 weeks in at the latest.

Yes. I think it's great for kids to have an extended break in the summer. They need more time to play in an unstructured environment than they get during school. My kids enjoy camp, time at the pool, hours playing with Legos or reading, and I look forward to them being able to go to a month or two of sleepaway camp when they are a little older -- that will be far more educational and positive for their lives than another month of worksheets.

I sincerely doubt they will change it anyway for the entire city due to the cost and logistics, but I guess we can agree to disagree over whether we would have a problem with it. I don't have a problem with an extended year schedule and would not flee DCPS if such a thing were implemented.

[Anonymous]

Why doesn't DCPS just expand the summer school programs so that families who want, or need, academic instruction over the summer can take part in the program. Those who don't want to don't have to. Our DCPS has summer school, and it is well subscribed. A number of schools also offered summer enrichment and the programs looked really cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did these schools do on PARCC?

According to one of the media stories, they had bigger gains than the traditional schedule schools.

If that's the case, perhaps this will become a bigger trend in DC? I'm game for whatever works! I love the idea of having a week off in fall and I'd be willing to give up several weeks of summer vacation to make that happen! also it does seem like this could really help the achievement gap- I understand that FARMs kids are generally "harmed" more by the long summer break than non-FARMs kids.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds. I am pretty sure the WOTP schools would reject this set up vehemently, so I do hope they do this on a school-by-school basis.

Why? We are in a WOTP elementary and I don't have any issue with an extended school year set up. In fact, I quite like the idea of broken up breaks and being able to travel at times of the year when destinations are less crowded. Summer is my least favorite time to travel due to crowds and weather, but I don't believe in pulling my children from school at other times to travel. I also don't think there's anything sacred about 8 weeks off in the summer and find it to be a pain to schedule various camps and deal with before and aftercare and much less (i.e. not walkable) convenient commutes to camps.

Your reasoning doesn't address what's developmentally best for your children, but rather the convenience of daycare and your travel preferences.

So your reasoning for sticking with the traditional US model is that there's something developmentally best about having 8 weeks off in a row in the summer? All the research I've ever seen points to a loss of learning over such a long break, for all categories of students, particularly in the areas of math and foreign languages. Sure, I didn't address that in my post because I would think that would be an obvious point? The added benefits to me would be the ability to travel at less expensive/crowded times and not having to deal with 8 weeks of rotating camps, visiting relatives, beach vacation, etc. 8 weeks is a long break, my children tire of the novelty of camps about halfway through the summer, no matter which ones they choose and are pretty much over summer by 6 weeks in at the latest.

+1 It isn't just DCPS that is trying this-- other states are also trying this. I like the model of 4 week summer break, and one week breaks sprinkled throughout the year. I think it would be in the public's interest (and in my family's interest) to have additional one week breaks through out the year in exchange for a shorter summer break.

Seriously-- a one week vacation- to California wine country or to Spain or something in October? I would love that so much! February in Maine? April in Paris? Grand Canyon in May? It boggles my mind that people would take the 8 weeks of summer plan rather than 4 weeks plus 4 additional weeks at other seasons.