Proposed APS Calendar Policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very disappointed in this outcome, particularly the half-hearted attempt to shade what is obviously an unconstitutional preference for some religions over others without sufficient data to prove an operational need. The SB made a big fuss about how they didn’t have data to support an earlier start date, but apparently threw that scrutiny out the window when it came time to determine whether there were actually sufficient absences to warrant shutting schools down on a given date in the name of “inclusivity”.

Honestly, APS and FCPS are begging for the Satanists to show up and show them what “inclusivity” truly looks like and how ridiculous this all is.

April 30. Hexennacht. Per Satanic Temple website: "An occasion honoring those who fell victim to superstition and pseudoscience, whether by witch hunt, Satanic panic, or other injustices."

Seems like a good candidate for a new school holiday to me if "inclusivity" is the criteria.

[Anonymous]

We use the choppy weeks to go on vacation. If you’re already out on Tuesday and Friday, are you really missing that much on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday? The momentum is already gone and we have to figure out coverage for two days that week anyway (elementary age). I wonder how much this kind of scheduling is adding to absenteeism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We use the choppy weeks to go on vacation. If you’re already out on Tuesday and Friday, are you really missing that much on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday? The momentum is already gone and we have to figure out coverage for two days that week anyway (elementary age). I wonder how much this kind of scheduling is adding to absenteeism.

+1. It is absolutely contributing, we are doing the same for the joke that is Veteran’s Day week. If you are continually sending the message that there are more important things than consistently being in school M-F, don’t be surprised when parents start agreeing with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very disappointed in this outcome, particularly the half-hearted attempt to shade what is obviously an unconstitutional preference for some religions over others without sufficient data to prove an operational need. The SB made a big fuss about how they didn’t have data to support an earlier start date, but apparently threw that scrutiny out the window when it came time to determine whether there were actually sufficient absences to warrant shutting schools down on a given date in the name of “inclusivity”.

Honestly, APS and FCPS are begging for the Satanists to show up and show them what “inclusivity” truly looks like and how ridiculous this all is.

I'm surprised nobody has tried to sue FCPS or APS for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked they voted 4-1 to keep the calendar starting the last week of Aug and not align with FFX on the start date.

They voted 4-1 to start in August because they wanted to give parents a bone. They know we are angry at the religious holidays but are two scared to address it. The only person who has the guts to speak out against it is Goldstein. We can’t start the last week of August, have a 180 day year, have all these holidays off and then also end by second week of June. I am pissed at the June end date. Very little learning happens in June. Since we are starting last week or August let’s get rid of the religious holidays and end first week of June.

I don't like the late end date either, almost nothing happens in June after SOLs and APs. total waste. I was completely fine with starting 2 weeks pre Labor Day because you know, instruction. Guess that's not a value for others.

I value instruction, which is why I oppose all the religious holidays that create chopped up weeks. FWIW, I went to a school that started after Labor Day, recognized practically zero federal holidays, took 1 week for spring break and no more than 10 for winter break, and we had consistently higher AP scores with a lower socioeconomic population than APS. Heck, even APS had higher AP scores when we had a post Labor Day start.

Length means nothing- it’s consistency that drives the better outcomes. This calendar lacks that. It’s inclusive of Syphax’s need for paid days off and nothing else.

Have you had kids actually take AP classes in APS? Have you had the experience of the teacher not having time to cover all the material before the exam? And there wasn't class time to review for the exam? And then there's a month after the exam that's they try to fill up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked they voted 4-1 to keep the calendar starting the last week of Aug and not align with FFX on the start date.

They voted 4-1 to start in August because they wanted to give parents a bone. They know we are angry at the religious holidays but are two scared to address it. The only person who has the guts to speak out against it is Goldstein. We can’t start the last week of August, have a 180 day year, have all these holidays off and then also end by second week of June. I am pissed at the June end date. Very little learning happens in June. Since we are starting last week or August let’s get rid of the religious holidays and end first week of June.

I don't like the late end date either, almost nothing happens in June after SOLs and APs. total waste. I was completely fine with starting 2 weeks pre Labor Day because you know, instruction. Guess that's not a value for others.

I'm sick to death of all the calendar bickering, especially about starting before Labor Day and "short summers." If you start two weeks earlier and create a calendar that still gets you out earlier in June, you still have your critical 10 weeks of summer. What is so special about Labor Day? It's still going to be a 4-day weekend. The only people I can at least understand not wanting to lose half of August are the fed staffers whose break is typically August.

Except there was no guarantee of getting out earlier in June. They still said “by June 19.” If they had enshrined a 10 week summer, or “out by June 10” or something, I don’t care if we start earlier. But they were planning to shorten the summer break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked they voted 4-1 to keep the calendar starting the last week of Aug and not align with FFX on the start date.

They voted 4-1 to start in August because they wanted to give parents a bone. They know we are angry at the religious holidays but are two scared to address it. The only person who has the guts to speak out against it is Goldstein. We can’t start the last week of August, have a 180 day year, have all these holidays off and then also end by second week of June. I am pissed at the June end date. Very little learning happens in June. Since we are starting last week or August let’s get rid of the religious holidays and end first week of June.

I don't like the late end date either, almost nothing happens in June after SOLs and APs. total waste. I was completely fine with starting 2 weeks pre Labor Day because you know, instruction. Guess that's not a value for others.

I value instruction, which is why I oppose all the religious holidays that create chopped up weeks. FWIW, I went to a school that started after Labor Day, recognized practically zero federal holidays, took 1 week for spring break and no more than 10 for winter break, and we had consistently higher AP scores with a lower socioeconomic population than APS. Heck, even APS had higher AP scores when we had a post Labor Day start.

Length means nothing- it’s consistency that drives the better outcomes. This calendar lacks that. It’s inclusive of Syphax’s need for paid days off and nothing else.

This. And standards (ie, higher expectations)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked they voted 4-1 to keep the calendar starting the last week of Aug and not align with FFX on the start date.

They voted 4-1 to start in August because they wanted to give parents a bone. They know we are angry at the religious holidays but are two scared to address it. The only person who has the guts to speak out against it is Goldstein. We can’t start the last week of August, have a 180 day year, have all these holidays off and then also end by second week of June. I am pissed at the June end date. Very little learning happens in June. Since we are starting last week or August let’s get rid of the religious holidays and end first week of June.

I don't like the late end date either, almost nothing happens in June after SOLs and APs. total waste. I was completely fine with starting 2 weeks pre Labor Day because you know, instruction. Guess that's not a value for others.

I value instruction, which is why I oppose all the religious holidays that create chopped up weeks. FWIW, I went to a school that started after Labor Day, recognized practically zero federal holidays, took 1 week for spring break and no more than 10 for winter break, and we had consistently higher AP scores with a lower socioeconomic population than APS. Heck, even APS had higher AP scores when we had a post Labor Day start.

Length means nothing- it’s consistency that drives the better outcomes. This calendar lacks that. It’s inclusive of Syphax’s need for paid days off and nothing else.

Have you had kids actually take AP classes in APS? Have you had the experience of the teacher not having time to cover all the material before the exam? And there wasn't class time to review for the exam? And then there's a month after the exam that's they try to fill up.

I TOOK AP exams, and I got 5s (highest score) on them. All while starting after Labor Day.

FWIW, my teachers kept us engaged. Granted it wasn’t at the same pace, but we had final exams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked they voted 4-1 to keep the calendar starting the last week of Aug and not align with FFX on the start date.

They voted 4-1 to start in August because they wanted to give parents a bone. They know we are angry at the religious holidays but are two scared to address it. The only person who has the guts to speak out against it is Goldstein. We can’t start the last week of August, have a 180 day year, have all these holidays off and then also end by second week of June. I am pissed at the June end date. Very little learning happens in June. Since we are starting last week or August let’s get rid of the religious holidays and end first week of June.

I don't like the late end date either, almost nothing happens in June after SOLs and APs. total waste. I was completely fine with starting 2 weeks pre Labor Day because you know, instruction. Guess that's not a value for others.

I value instruction, which is why I oppose all the religious holidays that create chopped up weeks. FWIW, I went to a school that started after Labor Day, recognized practically zero federal holidays, took 1 week for spring break and no more than 10 for winter break, and we had consistently higher AP scores with a lower socioeconomic population than APS. Heck, even APS had higher AP scores when we had a post Labor Day start.

Length means nothing- it’s consistency that drives the better outcomes. This calendar lacks that. It’s inclusive of Syphax’s need for paid days off and nothing else.

Have you had kids actually take AP classes in APS? Have you had the experience of the teacher not having time to cover all the material before the exam? And there wasn't class time to review for the exam? And then there's a month after the exam that's they try to fill up.

I TOOK AP exams, and I got 5s (highest score) on them. All while starting after Labor Day.

FWIW, my teachers kept us engaged. Granted it wasn’t at the same pace, but we had final exams.

Good for you. You're a genius. Not everyone is. Some - many - kids benefit from more time.

They would also benefit from their teachers having time to teach all of the material which is not happening in APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked they voted 4-1 to keep the calendar starting the last week of Aug and not align with FFX on the start date.

They voted 4-1 to start in August because they wanted to give parents a bone. They know we are angry at the religious holidays but are two scared to address it. The only person who has the guts to speak out against it is Goldstein. We can’t start the last week of August, have a 180 day year, have all these holidays off and then also end by second week of June. I am pissed at the June end date. Very little learning happens in June. Since we are starting last week or August let’s get rid of the religious holidays and end first week of June.

I don't like the late end date either, almost nothing happens in June after SOLs and APs. total waste. I was completely fine with starting 2 weeks pre Labor Day because you know, instruction. Guess that's not a value for others.

I value instruction, which is why I oppose all the religious holidays that create chopped up weeks. FWIW, I went to a school that started after Labor Day, recognized practically zero federal holidays, took 1 week for spring break and no more than 10 for winter break, and we had consistently higher AP scores with a lower socioeconomic population than APS. Heck, even APS had higher AP scores when we had a post Labor Day start.

Length means nothing- it’s consistency that drives the better outcomes. This calendar lacks that. It’s inclusive of Syphax’s need for paid days off and nothing else.

Have you had kids actually take AP classes in APS? Have you had the experience of the teacher not having time to cover all the material before the exam? And there wasn't class time to review for the exam? And then there's a month after the exam that's they try to fill up.

I TOOK AP exams, and I got 5s (highest score) on them. All while starting after Labor Day.

FWIW, my teachers kept us engaged. Granted it wasn’t at the same pace, but we had final exams.

Good for you. You're a genius. Not everyone is. Some - many - kids benefit from more time.

They would also benefit from their teachers having time to teach all of the material which is not happening in APS.

I wasn’t alone, and believe me I’m no genius. My teachers figured it out. Only the best got assigned AP classes.

But here’s an idea- if the teachers need more time, how about we give it to them? There’s no one out there practicing all 5 major world religions as determined by APS. Consolidate the days off and suddenly you have more time to teach without dragging things out all year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We use the choppy weeks to go on vacation. If you’re already out on Tuesday and Friday, are you really missing that much on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday? The momentum is already gone and we have to figure out coverage for two days that week anyway (elementary age). I wonder how much this kind of scheduling is adding to absenteeism.

+1. It is absolutely contributing, we are doing the same for the joke that is Veteran’s Day week. If you are continually sending the message that there are more important things than consistently being in school M-F, don’t be surprised when parents start agreeing with you.

Yep! Decided to travel that week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked they voted 4-1 to keep the calendar starting the last week of Aug and not align with FFX on the start date.

They voted 4-1 to start in August because they wanted to give parents a bone. They know we are angry at the religious holidays but are two scared to address it. The only person who has the guts to speak out against it is Goldstein. We can’t start the last week of August, have a 180 day year, have all these holidays off and then also end by second week of June. I am pissed at the June end date. Very little learning happens in June. Since we are starting last week or August let’s get rid of the religious holidays and end first week of June.

I don't like the late end date either, almost nothing happens in June after SOLs and APs. total waste. I was completely fine with starting 2 weeks pre Labor Day because you know, instruction. Guess that's not a value for others.

I value instruction, which is why I oppose all the religious holidays that create chopped up weeks. FWIW, I went to a school that started after Labor Day, recognized practically zero federal holidays, took 1 week for spring break and no more than 10 for winter break, and we had consistently higher AP scores with a lower socioeconomic population than APS. Heck, even APS had higher AP scores when we had a post Labor Day start.

Length means nothing- it’s consistency that drives the better outcomes. This calendar lacks that. It’s inclusive of Syphax’s need for paid days off and nothing else.

Have you had kids actually take AP classes in APS? Have you had the experience of the teacher not having time to cover all the material before the exam? And there wasn't class time to review for the exam? And then there's a month after the exam that's they try to fill up.

I TOOK AP exams, and I got 5s (highest score) on them. All while starting after Labor Day.

FWIW, my teachers kept us engaged. Granted it wasn’t at the same pace, but we had final exams.

Good for you. You're a genius. Not everyone is. Some - many - kids benefit from more time.

They would also benefit from their teachers having time to teach all of the material which is not happening in APS.

I wasn’t alone, and believe me I’m no genius. My teachers figured it out. Only the best got assigned AP classes.

But here’s an idea- if the teachers need more time, how about we give it to them? There’s no one out there practicing all 5 major world religions as determined by APS. Consolidate the days off and suddenly you have more time to teach without dragging things out all year.

I don't think you're allowed to teach new material, have tests, or school events on any of the religious holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked they voted 4-1 to keep the calendar starting the last week of Aug and not align with FFX on the start date.

They voted 4-1 to start in August because they wanted to give parents a bone. They know we are angry at the religious holidays but are two scared to address it. The only person who has the guts to speak out against it is Goldstein. We can’t start the last week of August, have a 180 day year, have all these holidays off and then also end by second week of June. I am pissed at the June end date. Very little learning happens in June. Since we are starting last week or August let’s get rid of the religious holidays and end first week of June.

I don't like the late end date either, almost nothing happens in June after SOLs and APs. total waste. I was completely fine with starting 2 weeks pre Labor Day because you know, instruction. Guess that's not a value for others.

I value instruction, which is why I oppose all the religious holidays that create chopped up weeks. FWIW, I went to a school that started after Labor Day, recognized practically zero federal holidays, took 1 week for spring break and no more than 10 for winter break, and we had consistently higher AP scores with a lower socioeconomic population than APS. Heck, even APS had higher AP scores when we had a post Labor Day start.

Length means nothing- it’s consistency that drives the better outcomes. This calendar lacks that. It’s inclusive of Syphax’s need for paid days off and nothing else.

Have you had kids actually take AP classes in APS? Have you had the experience of the teacher not having time to cover all the material before the exam? And there wasn't class time to review for the exam? And then there's a month after the exam that's they try to fill up.

I TOOK AP exams, and I got 5s (highest score) on them. All while starting after Labor Day.

FWIW, my teachers kept us engaged. Granted it wasn’t at the same pace, but we had final exams.

Good for you. You're a genius. Not everyone is. Some - many - kids benefit from more time.

They would also benefit from their teachers having time to teach all of the material which is not happening in APS.

I wasn’t alone, and believe me I’m no genius. My teachers figured it out. Only the best got assigned AP classes.

But here’s an idea- if the teachers need more time, how about we give it to them? There’s no one out there practicing all 5 major world religions as determined by APS. Consolidate the days off and suddenly you have more time to teach without dragging things out all year.

I don't think you're allowed to teach new material, have tests, or school events on any of the religious holidays.

There’s a price to all the so-called “inclusivity”, and that may very well just be AP test performance. The Constitution and the laws say the public schools need to accommodate religion, not that they have make the practice of it as seamless as possible for those that choose to spend their time that way. It used to be that the people who chose religion paid the price, which I’m sure they were happy to do. Now the rest of us have to pay it regardless of whether we think religion has any value whatsoever in a modern society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We use the choppy weeks to go on vacation. If you’re already out on Tuesday and Friday, are you really missing that much on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday? The momentum is already gone and we have to figure out coverage for two days that week anyway (elementary age). I wonder how much this kind of scheduling is adding to absenteeism.

+1. APS has to track data on absenteeism out for VDOE. Should be able to see if there are spikes in the choppy weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m shocked they voted 4-1 to keep the calendar starting the last week of Aug and not align with FFX on the start date.

They voted 4-1 to start in August because they wanted to give parents a bone. They know we are angry at the religious holidays but are two scared to address it. The only person who has the guts to speak out against it is Goldstein. We can’t start the last week of August, have a 180 day year, have all these holidays off and then also end by second week of June. I am pissed at the June end date. Very little learning happens in June. Since we are starting last week or August let’s get rid of the religious holidays and end first week of June.

I don't like the late end date either, almost nothing happens in June after SOLs and APs. total waste. I was completely fine with starting 2 weeks pre Labor Day because you know, instruction. Guess that's not a value for others.

I value instruction, which is why I oppose all the religious holidays that create chopped up weeks. FWIW, I went to a school that started after Labor Day, recognized practically zero federal holidays, took 1 week for spring break and no more than 10 for winter break, and we had consistently higher AP scores with a lower socioeconomic population than APS. Heck, even APS had higher AP scores when we had a post Labor Day start.

Length means nothing- it’s consistency that drives the better outcomes. This calendar lacks that. It’s inclusive of Syphax’s need for paid days off and nothing else.

Have you had kids actually take AP classes in APS? Have you had the experience of the teacher not having time to cover all the material before the exam? And there wasn't class time to review for the exam? And then there's a month after the exam that's they try to fill up.

I TOOK AP exams, and I got 5s (highest score) on them. All while starting after Labor Day.

FWIW, my teachers kept us engaged. Granted it wasn’t at the same pace, but we had final exams.

Good for you. You're a genius. Not everyone is. Some - many - kids benefit from more time.

They would also benefit from their teachers having time to teach all of the material which is not happening in APS.

I wasn’t alone, and believe me I’m no genius. My teachers figured it out. Only the best got assigned AP classes.

But here’s an idea- if the teachers need more time, how about we give it to them? There’s no one out there practicing all 5 major world religions as determined by APS. Consolidate the days off and suddenly you have more time to teach without dragging things out all year.

I don't think you're allowed to teach new material, have tests, or school events on any of the religious holidays.

There’s a price to all the so-called “inclusivity”, and that may very well just be AP test performance. The Constitution and the laws say the public schools need to accommodate religion, not that they have make the practice of it as seamless as possible for those that choose to spend their time that way. It used to be that the people who chose religion paid the price, which I’m sure they were happy to do. Now the rest of us have to pay it regardless of whether we think religion has any value whatsoever in a modern society.

Thank you for your sacrifice.