August Start for Private Schools (to build in a snow day reserve)

[Anonymous]

I am a believer that students benefit most from having a continuous, three-month long, uninterrupted block of school days from mid-August through late-November before the Thanksgiving holidays, Christmas/Winter Break, and numerous weather delays and snow days start to break up the continuity of their academic year, and possibly affect overall teaching and learning. And honestly pushing those missed days into late June is unhelpful, as I think the students start to mentally check out on June 1st, when those glorious summer days distract from learning.

Since this year's very late Labor Day will push the first day of classes into the (in my opinion) inexcusably late second week of September, will any of the area private schools put their students first and consider changing to a mid-or-late August start instead? That will certainly make all of next winter's snow days and delayed starts (and there will be many) more palatable. I would like to see the schools put their students first, and by announcing it now in April, it will give staff and families time to plan accordingly.

[Anonymous]

I agree.

[Anonymous]

What private schools, even those that start after Labor Day, are in session in late-June? Most privates can afford to miss a ton of snow days without extending their calendar because the kids are in school longer each day. No way would I support an August start date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What private schools, even those that start after Labor Day, are in session in late-June? Most privates can afford to miss a ton of snow days without extending their calendar because the kids are in school longer each day. No way would I support an August start date.

I suppose that we should be satisfied and complacent that our private school students attend school for far fewer days than their private school peers in other parts of the country that either can deal with snow or do not get any?

[Anonymous]

Our school already did this (changed to start before labor day). Seemed like all of the parents supported that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What private schools, even those that start after Labor Day, are in session in late-June? Most privates can afford to miss a ton of snow days without extending their calendar because the kids are in school longer each day. No way would I support an August start date.

I suppose that we should be satisfied and complacent that our private school students attend school for far fewer days than their private school peers in other parts of the country that either can deal with snow or do not get any?

I could care less what other private schools do in other parts of the country. My kids spent a lot of time at school and a lot of time studying; they don't need more. I'd suggest you move to those other places if you are so enamored of the private education you can obtain there.

[Anonymous]

My kids' school did this a few years (starts the week before Labor Day). I didn't really like it at first, but now I like it. It's not a big deal...

[Anonymous]

Ours changed for next year, first time I recall them starting early.

[Anonymous]

what don't you understand - for the most part, most privates have longer academic days than the publics.

my son's school starts at 8:10 and last period does not end until 3:30.

i get annoyed with the snow days but what parents wouldn't.

it is what it is.

not a fan of starting before labor day.

[Anonymous]

say it with me now: your children's school is not a daycare.

It would no doubt nice for the working parents without other options to have lots and lots and lots of school -- so you don't have to pay for camps/college babysitters. I get that.

I too would love that extra $1000-$2000 in my pocket. But you chose to have kids knowing what the school calendar looks like, generally. YOU figure out what to do with them on your own time and dime, and don't #*@ it up for the rest of us who think our kids have too much time as it is with butts in desks.

[Anonymous]

Even though our school starts before Labor Day, I wish it wouldn't. I think it's a joke to come to school for 3 days, then take a 3 day weekend. Just finish the summer. Now, if you want to propose shifting the AP exams two weeks later, I'd be all over that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:say it with me now: your children's school is not a daycare.

It would no doubt nice for the working parents without other options to have lots and lots and lots of school -- so you don't have to pay for camps/college babysitters. I get that.

I too would love that extra $1000-$2000 in my pocket. But you chose to have kids knowing what the school calendar looks like, generally. YOU figure out what to do with them on your own time and dime, and don't #*@ it up for the rest of us who think our kids have too much time as it is with butts in desks.

Yes, and despite that, you will probably still be the irate parent who fumes when your child does not get admitted to their college of choice. Our students are getting too few learning days, and that is a real shame and to their detriment. But who cares, because we prefer to visit Europe during the August recess and the riches that enable us to pay the high tuition can also support Jr. into middle age, am I right?

[Anonymous]

I am a big believer in children needing a continuous, 3-month, uninterrupted break from school each year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even though our school starts before Labor Day, I wish it wouldn't. I think it's a joke to come to school for 3 days, then take a 3 day weekend. Just finish the summer. Now, if you want to propose shifting the AP exams two weeks later, I'd be all over that!

Unfortunately, the AP College Board will not support the change, and other students are well-prepared by then since they don't have all those excessive missed days.

Based on this thread I am convinced that we private school parents are a complacent lot who are satisfied with the minimum number of required school days, no questions asked and no accountability desired. Just happy to fork over the money and not ask any questions. Here is my advice to the private schools: throw in more vacations and a later start date to save on administrative and physical plant expenses, but continue to increase tuition -- we don't seem to care much either way (and I could use the extra time to spend with the little ones at my second house in Aspen).

[Anonymous]

So, because we don't agree with you we are complacent and don't really care about education? Has it ever occurred to you that other points of view can actually be well-reasoned, but simply different?