FCPS Early Release Mondays

[Anonymous]

Do we have an updated calendar with those days already?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think doing the training Monday-Wednesday of Thanksgiving week is a great solution. MKe those days k-12 teacher workdays/training days, no need to close early on Mondags.

Those 3 days still aren’t enough to complete the entire training, and they’ll run into issues with staff that already has travel plans for that Wednesday, since it’s currently a holiday.

Clearly, changing the expected instructional schedule is not an issue with FCPS so this should be no biggie. If its ok to close early unexpectedly a whole bunch of days, switching a day off to a work day months from now shouldn't be an issue.

The difference is the current plan doesn’t change the employee calendar. Employees already planned on working those days. That’s not the case for the day before Thanksgiving.

Well, parents already planned on working all of these Monday afternoons. So I guess there will need to be some shared pain. Since we’re in this “together” right?

FCPS is the employer. They need to make time to provide their employees with this training. They made a decision. FCPS is not your employer.

Correct— FCPS is a service provider. And they are changing the terms of those services on the backs of one group (parents) to the benefit of another group (teachers/staff) while shortchanging a third group (students).

The only way in which they are held responsible for this decision is if voters hold their school board representatives accountable in November. Which should be easy since it will be after two disastrous early-releases are already behind us. I am writing my board members to say I will be eagerly seeking his proposals to keep children in the classroom.

Disastrous? Hardly.

The students can stay in the school as an option.

You are using that term loosely. they can physically stay in the confines of the building provided the school has enough after care staff to accommodate the need. But there is no "schooling" "educating" or "learning" to be had. Parents ask for learning and we're told that is a step too far.

[Anonymous]

It’s so funny and telling that every district in the state had to suddenly accommodate for this with no option not to to but the only district with 40 pages of aggrieved complaining is FCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just received this message about 7 3 hour early release Mondays next school year:

https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/safety-and-transportation/limited-early-release-mondays

I have lots of thoughts, including why not FRIDAYS because this is very disruptive to the entire family. But looking forward to a good discussion…

Prince william county gave this up years and years ago. So unnecessary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do we have an updated calendar with those days already?

I’m not sure I would expect an updated district calendar because the early release days are both regional and for elementary only - not district wide.

The individual schools may send something out later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s so funny and telling that every district in the state had to suddenly accommodate for this with no option not to to but the only district with 40 pages of aggrieved complaining is FCPS

So telling!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s so funny and telling that every district in the state had to suddenly accommodate for this with no option not to to but the only district with 40 pages of aggrieved complaining is FCPS

Because other districts behaved professionally, engaged the parents, and didn’t add seven early release days.

What’s funny is that only Fairfax can’t manage to meet this low standard despite having the most money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think doing the training Monday-Wednesday of Thanksgiving week is a great solution. MKe those days k-12 teacher workdays/training days, no need to close early on Mondags.

Those 3 days still aren’t enough to complete the entire training, and they’ll run into issues with staff that already has travel plans for that Wednesday, since it’s currently a holiday.

Clearly, changing the expected instructional schedule is not an issue with FCPS so this should be no biggie. If its ok to close early unexpectedly a whole bunch of days, switching a day off to a work day months from now shouldn't be an issue.

The difference is the current plan doesn’t change the employee calendar. Employees already planned on working those days. That’s not the case for the day before Thanksgiving.

Well, parents already planned on working all of these Monday afternoons. So I guess there will need to be some shared pain. Since we’re in this “together” right?

FCPS is the employer. They need to make time to provide their employees with this training. They made a decision. FCPS is not your employer.

Correct— FCPS is a service provider. And they are changing the terms of those services on the backs of one group (parents) to the benefit of another group (teachers/staff) while shortchanging a third group (students).

The only way in which they are held responsible for this decision is if voters hold their school board representatives accountable in November. Which should be easy since it will be after two disastrous early-releases are already behind us. I am writing my board members to say I will be eagerly seeking his proposals to keep children in the classroom.

Service providers change their terms and conditions ALL time without asking their customers.

And when their customers object, they are held responsible. Loudoun’s entire board got voted out. Why do you think they were so careful about parent engagement when they were confronted with the exact same mandate Fairfax is flailing with.

Then we’ll see if this school board gets voted out because of it. And who said FCPS is flailing…the parents maybe, but not the school district.

Rolling out a “plan” with no details on the alleged “enrichment” or even who might qualify for it, on the last week of school, when all the neighboring counties handled it months ago with professionalism and parent engagement is absolutely flailing.

Months ago? That’s an exaggeration for sure.

I’m afraid not. VLA was released in March. London went through proposals (including late start and early release) in April and May before landing on four days off. Board members engaged with the community. It’s possible to behave professionally in these cases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so funny and telling that every district in the state had to suddenly accommodate for this with no option not to to but the only district with 40 pages of aggrieved complaining is FCPS

Because other districts behaved professionally, engaged the parents, and didn’t add seven early release days.

What’s funny is that only Fairfax can’t manage to meet this low standard despite having the most money.

Well, one of those counties already has early release days built into their calendar and they’re just using those. So it’s not really that different.

I’m pretty sure when you’re referring to engaging the parents you’re referring to one county, not all the surrounding counties. Plus if you read the email they are asking for parent input via the steering committee.

Are you basing your whole argument on how two of the other 40 counties?

Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean that they’re unprofessional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so funny and telling that every district in the state had to suddenly accommodate for this with no option not to to but the only district with 40 pages of aggrieved complaining is FCPS

Because other districts behaved professionally, engaged the parents, and didn’t add seven early release days.

What’s funny is that only Fairfax can’t manage to meet this low standard despite having the most money.

Nah, this would’ve been the response no matter how it was handled or planned or when it rolled out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s so funny and telling that every district in the state had to suddenly accommodate for this with no option not to to but the only district with 40 pages of aggrieved complaining is FCPS

Because other districts behaved professionally, engaged the parents, and didn’t add seven early release days.

What’s funny is that only Fairfax can’t manage to meet this low standard despite having the most money.

Nah, this would’ve been the response no matter how it was handled or planned or when it rolled out.

Exactly. The only plan that would have been sufficient would have cost millions, had teacher work during summer/off-contract (not an option logistically) and/or taken additional planning time away from ES teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think doing the training Monday-Wednesday of Thanksgiving week is a great solution. MKe those days k-12 teacher workdays/training days, no need to close early on Mondags.

Those 3 days still aren’t enough to complete the entire training, and they’ll run into issues with staff that already has travel plans for that Wednesday, since it’s currently a holiday.

Clearly, changing the expected instructional schedule is not an issue with FCPS so this should be no biggie. If its ok to close early unexpectedly a whole bunch of days, switching a day off to a work day months from now shouldn't be an issue.

The difference is the current plan doesn’t change the employee calendar. Employees already planned on working those days. That’s not the case for the day before Thanksgiving.

Well, parents already planned on working all of these Monday afternoons. So I guess there will need to be some shared pain. Since we’re in this “together” right?

FCPS is the employer. They need to make time to provide their employees with this training. They made a decision. FCPS is not your employer.

Correct— FCPS is a service provider. And they are changing the terms of those services on the backs of one group (parents) to the benefit of another group (teachers/staff) while shortchanging a third group (students).

The only way in which they are held responsible for this decision is if voters hold their school board representatives accountable in November. Which should be easy since it will be after two disastrous early-releases are already behind us. I am writing my board members to say I will be eagerly seeking his proposals to keep children in the classroom.

Service providers change their terms and conditions ALL time without asking their customers.

And when their customers object, they are held responsible. Loudoun’s entire board got voted out. Why do you think they were so careful about parent engagement when they were confronted with the exact same mandate Fairfax is flailing with.

Then we’ll see if this school board gets voted out because of it. And who said FCPS is flailing…the parents maybe, but not the school district.

Rolling out a “plan” with no details on the alleged “enrichment” or even who might qualify for it, on the last week of school, when all the neighboring counties handled it months ago with professionalism and parent engagement is absolutely flailing.

Months ago? That’s an exaggeration for sure.

I’m afraid not. VLA was released in March. London went through proposals (including late start and early release) in April and May before landing on four days off. Board members engaged with the community. It’s possible to behave professionally in these cases.

So one example….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think doing the training Monday-Wednesday of Thanksgiving week is a great solution. MKe those days k-12 teacher workdays/training days, no need to close early on Mondags.

Those 3 days still aren’t enough to complete the entire training, and they’ll run into issues with staff that already has travel plans for that Wednesday, since it’s currently a holiday.

Clearly, changing the expected instructional schedule is not an issue with FCPS so this should be no biggie. If its ok to close early unexpectedly a whole bunch of days, switching a day off to a work day months from now shouldn't be an issue.

The difference is the current plan doesn’t change the employee calendar. Employees already planned on working those days. That’s not the case for the day before Thanksgiving.

Well, parents already planned on working all of these Monday afternoons. So I guess there will need to be some shared pain. Since we’re in this “together” right?

FCPS is the employer. They need to make time to provide their employees with this training. They made a decision. FCPS is not your employer.

Correct— FCPS is a service provider. And they are changing the terms of those services on the backs of one group (parents) to the benefit of another group (teachers/staff) while shortchanging a third group (students).

The only way in which they are held responsible for this decision is if voters hold their school board representatives accountable in November. Which should be easy since it will be after two disastrous early-releases are already behind us. I am writing my board members to say I will be eagerly seeking his proposals to keep children in the classroom.

Service providers change their terms and conditions ALL time without asking their customers.

And when their customers object, they are held responsible. Loudoun’s entire board got voted out. Why do you think they were so careful about parent engagement when they were confronted with the exact same mandate Fairfax is flailing with.

Then we’ll see if this school board gets voted out because of it. And who said FCPS is flailing…the parents maybe, but not the school district.

I thought the same thing. I'm a teacher and I think they could fit the training in some of the already scheduled SP or SD days, but they made a decision and sent out the notice.

Another teacher. I think most ES would be fine with using SD and SP days for this. But only if this was it. Get rid of everything else not required snd focus on this for ES. Also make sure CLTS are limited to 1 so teachers get required planning time. Simple solution. I don’t like ER plan. Too disruptive to kids.

Elementary teachers would love to go down to one CLT a week, but that has been a request that FCPS has not been willing to compromise. We would all love it….but it is highly unlikely.

At the beginning of the SY Dr Reid told principals they needed to adhere to the policy as written, which means ES are supposed to have a minimum of 240 minutes of unencumbered teacher directed planning time a week. Of course many principals ignored that or tried to work around it unless people at the school pushed them to change it. Perhaps this is something that can be contractual through collective bargaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think doing the training Monday-Wednesday of Thanksgiving week is a great solution. MKe those days k-12 teacher workdays/training days, no need to close early on Mondags.

Those 3 days still aren’t enough to complete the entire training, and they’ll run into issues with staff that already has travel plans for that Wednesday, since it’s currently a holiday.

Clearly, changing the expected instructional schedule is not an issue with FCPS so this should be no biggie. If its ok to close early unexpectedly a whole bunch of days, switching a day off to a work day months from now shouldn't be an issue.

The difference is the current plan doesn’t change the employee calendar. Employees already planned on working those days. That’s not the case for the day before Thanksgiving.

Well, parents already planned on working all of these Monday afternoons. So I guess there will need to be some shared pain. Since we’re in this “together” right?

FCPS is the employer. They need to make time to provide their employees with this training. They made a decision. FCPS is not your employer.

Correct— FCPS is a service provider. And they are changing the terms of those services on the backs of one group (parents) to the benefit of another group (teachers/staff) while shortchanging a third group (students).

The only way in which they are held responsible for this decision is if voters hold their school board representatives accountable in November. Which should be easy since it will be after two disastrous early-releases are already behind us. I am writing my board members to say I will be eagerly seeking his proposals to keep children in the classroom.

Disastrous? Hardly.

The students can stay in the school as an option.

You are using that term loosely. they can physically stay in the confines of the building provided the school has enough after care staff to accommodate the need. But there is no "schooling" "educating" or "learning" to be had. Parents ask for learning and we're told that is a step too far.

If they offered “schooling” then they’d have to make that available to all students thus take away the early release. Do you see how that works??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think doing the training Monday-Wednesday of Thanksgiving week is a great solution. MKe those days k-12 teacher workdays/training days, no need to close early on Mondags.

Those 3 days still aren’t enough to complete the entire training, and they’ll run into issues with staff that already has travel plans for that Wednesday, since it’s currently a holiday.

Clearly, changing the expected instructional schedule is not an issue with FCPS so this should be no biggie. If its ok to close early unexpectedly a whole bunch of days, switching a day off to a work day months from now shouldn't be an issue.

The difference is the current plan doesn’t change the employee calendar. Employees already planned on working those days. That’s not the case for the day before Thanksgiving.

Well, parents already planned on working all of these Monday afternoons. So I guess there will need to be some shared pain. Since we’re in this “together” right?

FCPS is the employer. They need to make time to provide their employees with this training. They made a decision. FCPS is not your employer.

Correct— FCPS is a service provider. And they are changing the terms of those services on the backs of one group (parents) to the benefit of another group (teachers/staff) while shortchanging a third group (students).

The only way in which they are held responsible for this decision is if voters hold their school board representatives accountable in November. Which should be easy since it will be after two disastrous early-releases are already behind us. I am writing my board members to say I will be eagerly seeking his proposals to keep children in the classroom.

If you think it’s so unfair that teachers will be provided an opportunity to complete mandated training during work hours, then take it to the board. Complain loudly and proudly. Tell them you expect teachers to sacrifice more for you. I’m sure the argument will be well received.

I have no objection to teachers doing their training in work hours. I object to adding seven early release days to the schedule rather than two or three full days, as nearby counties are doing. Fairfax isn’t a snowflake— all of VA has these requirements and it’s only Fairfax who feels the need to create a crisis over it.

This is a DCUM-focused crisis, nothing more.