MoCo Councilmembers who Don't Pay Attention to the School Calendar, Push Back on MCPS Using Established Make-Up Day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so stupid.
The only religious holidays ghat should be non instructional days are the ones that sufficiently impact teacher attendance that it makes it infeasible to have classes. Eg if more than 10% of teachers will call out for a given holiday, it probably makes sense to give that as a non instructional day. Period. People need to stop feeling like this is a judgment on how important or respected their religion is.

Are there data on this? Do you think no Muslims work at McPS? Or do you only think Jewish people work for MCPS and not Muslims because those are the people you socialize with?

There was in the past (the data drove the Jewish holiday policies - the county didn't have sufficient substitutes to cover projected teacher absences), but MCPS demographics have changed so I don't know that it's current. I agree with previous PP that MCPS should calculate these numbers and make a policy based on them.

I'm the PP -- I was basing it on the old MCPS surveys on this, plus the demographics of the approximately 150 teachers my 3 kids have had over a collective 35 years in the MCPS system. I don't think they've had a single Muslim teacher, that i know of, but I would guesstimate about 5-10% Jewish teachers (based on names). But I think it makes total sense for them to do updated surveys on who takes off for which holidays. They already know who is putting in for vacation days for the religious holidays that are done as grading/teacher training days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I seriously want all religious holidays to go away from school calendar so we can have normal winter breaks and summer breaks. They can take excused absence. Why everyone are forced to take days off?

+1 - Practicing Jew who thinks that school should run regardless of religious holidays. Give excused absences / PTO if kids and staff cannot attend.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

That's not the issue. My child has a 1:1 to repeat instructions, sometimes act as a scribe, and to manage SIBs. How are they going to do that virtually?

There's a section in the virtual learning plan template for snow emergencies for the state of Maryland where each school district writes down how they will manage kids with special needs.

If NYC which is 10x bigger than MCPS can manage a snow emergency virtual learning plan, and PG County which is way poorer than MCPS can manage a virtual learning plan, MCPS can too.

Right, and his IEP says his services and supports can't be provided when there is an extended closure of the physical building. So what do you think would happen?

[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:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

That's not the issue. My child has a 1:1 to repeat instructions, sometimes act as a scribe, and to manage SIBs. How are they going to do that virtually?

There's a section in the virtual learning plan template for snow emergencies for the state of Maryland where each school district writes down how they will manage kids with special needs.

If NYC which is 10x bigger than MCPS can manage a snow emergency virtual learning plan, and PG County which is way poorer than MCPS can manage a virtual learning plan, MCPS can too.

Right, and his IEP says his services and supports can't be provided when there is an extended closure of the physical building. So what do you think would happen?

Do you think that MCPS has fewer kids with IEPs than New York City? they will make up your kid’s services when it’s not a snow emergency and McPS staff are able to help your kid on a 1:1 basis again. Do you really expect that all education should stop for 99.5 percent of the student population because your child can’t have his 1:1 aide arrive at your doorstep during a weather emergency?

[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:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

That's not the issue. My child has a 1:1 to repeat instructions, sometimes act as a scribe, and to manage SIBs. How are they going to do that virtually?

There's a section in the virtual learning plan template for snow emergencies for the state of Maryland where each school district writes down how they will manage kids with special needs.

If NYC which is 10x bigger than MCPS can manage a snow emergency virtual learning plan, and PG County which is way poorer than MCPS can manage a virtual learning plan, MCPS can too.

Right, and his IEP says his services and supports can't be provided when there is an extended closure of the physical building. So what do you think would happen?

Do you think that MCPS has fewer kids with IEPs than New York City? they will make up your kid’s services when it’s not a snow emergency and McPS staff are able to help your kid on a 1:1 basis again. Do you really expect that all education should stop for 99.5 percent of the student population because your child can’t have his 1:1 aide arrive at your doorstep during a weather emergency?

If MCPS were to develop a plan showing how they would
"make up" services after the snow emergency, then that would alleviate a lot my concerns. Assuming they also budgeted resources to actually doing that.

But if you had any experience with special education in MCPS, you know why I might be skeptical of that.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

That's not the issue. My child has a 1:1 to repeat instructions, sometimes act as a scribe, and to manage SIBs. How are they going to do that virtually?

There's a section in the virtual learning plan template for snow emergencies for the state of Maryland where each school district writes down how they will manage kids with special needs.

If NYC which is 10x bigger than MCPS can manage a snow emergency virtual learning plan, and PG County which is way poorer than MCPS can manage a virtual learning plan, MCPS can too.

Right, and his IEP says his services and supports can't be provided when there is an extended closure of the physical building. So what do you think would happen?

Do you think that MCPS has fewer kids with IEPs than New York City? they will make up your kid’s services when it’s not a snow emergency and McPS staff are able to help your kid on a 1:1 basis again. Do you really expect that all education should stop for 99.5 percent of the student population because your child can’t have his 1:1 aide arrive at your doorstep during a weather emergency?

If MCPS were to develop a plan showing how they would
"make up" services after the snow emergency, then that would alleviate a lot my concerns. Assuming they also budgeted resources to actually doing that.

But if you had any experience with special education in MCPS, you know why I might be skeptical of that.

I have a kid with an IEP, so no need to talk down to me about my experience with special education, just because I don’t agree with you that 100k plus MCPS kids should stop learning in the event of a weather emergency because every kid can’t get each and every service normally provided at school in-person.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

That's not the issue. My child has a 1:1 to repeat instructions, sometimes act as a scribe, and to manage SIBs. How are they going to do that virtually?

There's a section in the virtual learning plan template for snow emergencies for the state of Maryland where each school district writes down how they will manage kids with special needs.

If NYC which is 10x bigger than MCPS can manage a snow emergency virtual learning plan, and PG County which is way poorer than MCPS can manage a virtual learning plan, MCPS can too.

Right, and his IEP says his services and supports can't be provided when there is an extended closure of the physical building. So what do you think would happen?

Do you think that MCPS has fewer kids with IEPs than New York City? they will make up your kid’s services when it’s not a snow emergency and McPS staff are able to help your kid on a 1:1 basis again. Do you really expect that all education should stop for 99.5 percent of the student population because your child can’t have his 1:1 aide arrive at your doorstep during a weather emergency?

If MCPS were to develop a plan showing how they would
"make up" services after the snow emergency, then that would alleviate a lot my concerns. Assuming they also budgeted resources to actually doing that.

But if you had any experience with special education in MCPS, you know why I might be skeptical of that.

I have a kid with an IEP, so no need to talk down to me about my experience with special education, just because I don’t agree with you that 100k plus MCPS kids should stop learning in the event of a weather emergency because every kid can’t get each and every service normally provided at school in-person.

Then get them to come up with a plan that provides meaningful compensatory services after they reopen.

Or we can stick with make-up days.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

That's not the issue. My child has a 1:1 to repeat instructions, sometimes act as a scribe, and to manage SIBs. How are they going to do that virtually?

There's a section in the virtual learning plan template for snow emergencies for the state of Maryland where each school district writes down how they will manage kids with special needs.

If NYC which is 10x bigger than MCPS can manage a snow emergency virtual learning plan, and PG County which is way poorer than MCPS can manage a virtual learning plan, MCPS can too.

Right, and his IEP says his services and supports can't be provided when there is an extended closure of the physical building. So what do you think would happen?

Do you think that MCPS has fewer kids with IEPs than New York City? they will make up your kid’s services when it’s not a snow emergency and McPS staff are able to help your kid on a 1:1 basis again. Do you really expect that all education should stop for 99.5 percent of the student population because your child can’t have his 1:1 aide arrive at your doorstep during a weather emergency?

If MCPS were to develop a plan showing how they would
"make up" services after the snow emergency, then that would alleviate a lot my concerns. Assuming they also budgeted resources to actually doing that.

But if you had any experience with special education in MCPS, you know why I might be skeptical of that.

I have a kid with an IEP, so no need to talk down to me about my experience with special education, just because I don’t agree with you that 100k plus MCPS kids should stop learning in the event of a weather emergency because every kid can’t get each and every service normally provided at school in-person.

Then get them to come up with a plan that provides meaningful compensatory services after they reopen.

Or we can stick with make-up days.

I disagree. The makeup days in June last year were terrible in my kids’ school and they watched videos for most of the time. You seem to want to automatically reject any plan that doesn’t even exist yet, as bad for your kid who has a 1:1 aide.

[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:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

That's not the issue. My child has a 1:1 to repeat instructions, sometimes act as a scribe, and to manage SIBs. How are they going to do that virtually?

There's a section in the virtual learning plan template for snow emergencies for the state of Maryland where each school district writes down how they will manage kids with special needs.

If NYC which is 10x bigger than MCPS can manage a snow emergency virtual learning plan, and PG County which is way poorer than MCPS can manage a virtual learning plan, MCPS can too.

Right, and his IEP says his services and supports can't be provided when there is an extended closure of the physical building. So what do you think would happen?

Do you think that MCPS has fewer kids with IEPs than New York City? they will make up your kid’s services when it’s not a snow emergency and McPS staff are able to help your kid on a 1:1 basis again. Do you really expect that all education should stop for 99.5 percent of the student population because your child can’t have his 1:1 aide arrive at your doorstep during a weather emergency?

If MCPS were to develop a plan showing how they would
"make up" services after the snow emergency, then that would alleviate a lot my concerns. Assuming they also budgeted resources to actually doing that.

But if you had any experience with special education in MCPS, you know why I might be skeptical of that.

I have a kid with an IEP, so no need to talk down to me about my experience with special education, just because I don’t agree with you that 100k plus MCPS kids should stop learning in the event of a weather emergency because every kid can’t get each and every service normally provided at school in-person.

Then get them to come up with a plan that provides meaningful compensatory services after they reopen.

Or we can stick with make-up days.

I disagree. The makeup days in June last year were terrible in my kids’ school and they watched videos for most of the time. You seem to want to automatically reject any plan that doesn’t even exist yet, as bad for your kid who has a 1:1 aide.

No one has proposed a plan that provides meaningful compensatory services to students who do not receive special education supports and services. Some posters have been hostile to that very idea.

So yes, until someone can come up with an effective plan, a funding source, and staff to implement it, I'm going to remain skeptical. It will be like covid all over again, except entirely preventable.

I encourage you to reach out to the superintendent and BoE to let them know that last year's implementation of make-up days was unacceptable. Because I agree, it was. We should have real make-up days.