FCPS Parents are you happy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My niece and nephew in California start school this week. They'll be done in May. I have a feeling that's where this is heading.

I think about how much that would negatively affect the summer jobs of high school and college students in the area.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't the jobs just shift? I mean, areas that have gone to the year round modified schedule have adapted to it with different activities and camps and such.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the only thing this thread has proved is that everyone has a different idea of what is the ideal schedule.

+1

It does seem though that the many long weekends and early releases (vs. a 1-week longer summer vacation block) genrally poses a greater financial/logistical strain on some families than others... those who enjoy the variation are expressing preference but generally less negatively impacted if the schedule were to be more regular/standardized through the year (I'm sure there's some exceptions)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't the jobs just shift? I mean, areas that have gone to the year round modified schedule have adapted to it with different activities and camps and such.

Think about the neighborhood swim clubs. I can think of at least four within a small radius of where we live. They are staffed mostly by high school and college students. When college students head back, high schoolers pick up the extra hours through Labor Day. This summer our local club cut at least 25 hours from their hours at the end of August. They'd have to cut more if school started earlier.

I imagine some of these pools/clubs would end up closing for good as membership would drop, especially those that may already be struggling a bit.

[Anonymous]

I do not like it. I think the time before Labor Day should be saved for family time, and FCPS builds in so many ridiculous days. They had one snow day last year. I know it is prudent to plan for some, but it really seems like they build in too many.

DS has been at camp at a private school this Summer, and their schedule is September 6 through June 8th which seems more than adequate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not like it. I think the time before Labor Day should be saved for family time, and FCPS builds in so many ridiculous days. They had one snow day last year. I know it is prudent to plan for some, but it really seems like they build in too many.

DS has been at camp at a private school this Summer, and their schedule is September 6 through June 8th which seems more than adequate.

When I was in school during the '70's and '80's, this was my schedule. (yes, I know I'm getting old). I don't remember hearing any complaints about it.

[Anonymous]

Am I happy this minute, not particularly. My TJ kid was out 10 days, went into TJ summer school for 5 weeks, and started full day marching band three days later. This summer being shorter is killing us.

In the long term? Sorry-- APs (and SATss, and SAT subject tests and SOLs) are more important than a cheaper week at the beach. By the end of HS, kids also run into problems with summer jobs, internship programs, etc. You may not care when your kid is in second grade, but at someone point you probably will. Kind of like how the new HS start time suck for MS students, but the payoff is there in MS.

I would also take a one week winter break. Many winters, as soon as kids go back, they start missing at least one day most weeks for weather. And it would be great to be out the first week of June. SOLs are over, APs are over, and most kids are just done by then.

[Anonymous]

Why do TJ students need summer school? Is that not a choice to take extra classes rather than taking a break?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the two weeks in December; it helps a bit being able to take a trip that first week- not as expensive.

I don't care about start and end with the summer break.

I would prefer year round with several two or three week breaks.

When you can't afford trips, it is a drag to be paying extra for childcare for that extra week, the enormous spring break, and all the extra days off.

[Anonymous]

NO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do TJ students need summer school? Is that not a choice to take extra classes rather than taking a break?

Sorta kinda. TJ diploma requires 2 extra classes the first two years. Design Tech in 9th and By 10th at the latest. It can only be done if you find somewhere to cram in the 4th year of history that Design Tech replaces. And if you have no electives. End result is that band and orchestra kids must do summer school.

So it's a choice. But none of the options are great for kids who want to stick with music. My kid, like most band kids, did summer school history before 9th and summer schooll CS before 10th. And band is a tight knit crew at TJ. It's a social group, as well as an activity. But right at this moment, the shortened summer just sucks. But my kid thinks, and I agree, that band helps with being a saner, more balanced TJ student during the year. So, I am being supportive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:are you happy the kids are going back to school a week early? I am okay with it.. my nephew attend PWCS and last year they started earlier and got out almost 2 weeks earlier. so yah I AM Glad with that

No. I hate it. It sucks and I'm pissed about it.

Labor day is the natural end to summer and it always has. And we don't get out much earlier for the two week start. I don't give a shit about your AP exams (if your kids are that affected by 2 weeks maybe they should not be there) or work schedules. I work full-time, also.

I'm sick of how this school district bows the loud, stick-up-their-ass parents in this area. It's ridiculous.

The kids are in school for too long in order to provide childcare for parents like you who do not understand the importance of AP exams for all of us (including those with no kids in school yet).

Be grateful for those long weekends and extended holiday breaks with your children. That extra family time is precious and they are only with us a short time before they leave to be adults.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not like it. I think the time before Labor Day should be saved for family time, and FCPS builds in so many ridiculous days. They had one snow day last year. I know it is prudent to plan for some, but it really seems like they build in too many.

DS has been at camp at a private school this Summer, and their schedule is September 6 through June 8th which seems more than adequate.

The kids shoukd be in school by mid August and out by the end of May, first week of June at the latest.

September is just too late to start the school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My niece and nephew in California start school this week. They'll be done in May. I have a feeling that's where this is heading.

I think about how much that would negatively affect the summer jobs of high school and college students in the area.

It works out so much better when the high school kids are on roughly the same summer schedule as the colleges, especially for jobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My niece and nephew in California start school this week. They'll be done in May. I have a feeling that's where this is heading.

That Schedule is perfect. The weather in late May and early June is usually so much better than the weather in August. By August things are so hot and nasty and kids are ready to go back to school.

In May, everyone is ready for vacation.