Howard County Changes Calendar: Why can't MCPS also prioritize instruction?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In light of the large number of snow days this year, the Howard County Board of Education made the responsible decision to adjust their calendar to prioritize instruction during the school year. They applied for a waiver to hold school on Easter Monday and converted some half days to full days (see attached link) so that they can make up the time and still end the school year by June 18. Why in the world can't the MCPS Board of Education do the same?

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2026/02/board-approves-adjustments-to-2025-2026-school-year-calendar/

If we can’t have school on Eid when it was planned as a make up day all along, we definitely can’t have it on Easter Monday

+1 billion
For all the idiots asking for MCPS to have school on Easter Monday, how are you going to justify that?

PPs point was that you could have had both Eid and Easter Monday. Adding Easter Monday would have taken away the argument that Muslims were being targeted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Education isn't about instructional minutes. Its about culture. Using the hundreds of hours we already have well. That's what MoCo needs to fix

You're not wrong, but the fewer hours there are, the more significant those changes would need to be. MCPS doesn't have a successful track record with those kinds of changes, either.

Simply holding the nationwide standard of 180 school days is apparently a stretch goal for MCPS. I think we need to start there before attempting more difficult changes.

Except it's not a nationwide standard. Each state has its own rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Education isn't about instructional minutes. Its about culture. Using the hundreds of hours we already have well. That's what MoCo needs to fix

You're not wrong, but the fewer hours there are, the more significant those changes would need to be. MCPS doesn't have a successful track record with those kinds of changes, either.

Simply holding the nationwide standard of 180 school days is apparently a stretch goal for MCPS. I think we need to start there before attempting more difficult changes.

Except it's not a nationwide standard. Each state has its own rules.

It's the most common requirement across the country. More than half of states have it. -DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher and would be fine with having school on March 20th, Easter Monday, and making our grading day on April 15th an early release rather than a professional day. I love the diversity we have in our area but at some point, we cannot celebrate every single holiday. Many holidays that the calendar includes are due to staff reasons. As in, if we didn't close, we wouldn't have enough staff to cover all of the classes. I don't think we're at that point with Eid. Going this far into June is a waste of time. The kids are so zoned out once the weather changes and feel the end of the year approaching.

Apparently your teacher’s union was not fine to have your April 15 professional day be used as a makeup day. If you were fine with it, you could have advocated for it with your union rep, rather than shortchanging kids an education by 5 days this year

Why in the world would you lash out at a teacher like that, especially since the person was advocating for using the April 15 professional day? The things people say about teachers on this forum are often appalling. Individual teachers, and even the union, does not have a say in the calendar. Actually MCEA was advocating to use April 15 in this case, the board and superintendent refused to use make-up day during the school year.

Do you have a reputable source/citation that MCEA tried to advocate to use April 15 as a makeup day? All I have heard is info to the contrary…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In light of the large number of snow days this year, the Howard County Board of Education made the responsible decision to adjust their calendar to prioritize instruction during the school year. They applied for a waiver to hold school on Easter Monday and converted some half days to full days (see attached link) so that they can make up the time and still end the school year by June 18. Why in the world can't the MCPS Board of Education do the same?

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2026/02/board-approves-adjustments-to-2025-2026-school-year-calendar/

If we can’t have school on Eid when it was planned as a make up day all along, we definitely can’t have it on Easter Monday

+1 billion
For all the idiots asking for MCPS to have school on Easter Monday, how are you going to justify that?

I’m not Christian. Please enlighten me. Who celebrates Easter Monday and what is it that happens? I was under the impression that Easter is celebrated on Sunday.

Stay in your lane

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Education isn't about instructional minutes. Its about culture. Using the hundreds of hours we already have well. That's what MoCo needs to fix

You're not wrong, but the fewer hours there are, the more significant those changes would need to be. MCPS doesn't have a successful track record with those kinds of changes, either.

Simply holding the nationwide standard of 180 school days is apparently a stretch goal for MCPS. I think we need to start there before attempting more difficult changes.

Except it's not a nationwide standard. Each state has its own rules.

It's the most common requirement across the country. More than half of states have it. -DP

---------------------------------------
There is a catch that most people don't realize. Not all states with "180 day" requirements actually have the same level of strictness in it. Maryland is in the group of most strict along with Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Washington State with makeup days after bad weather required if pushed below that number. Other states either have an hours option substitute (ex Virginia), allow some PD days to count (ex New York allows up to 4) or forgive emergency closures (ex California).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In light of the large number of snow days this year, the Howard County Board of Education made the responsible decision to adjust their calendar to prioritize instruction during the school year. They applied for a waiver to hold school on Easter Monday and converted some half days to full days (see attached link) so that they can make up the time and still end the school year by June 18. Why in the world can't the MCPS Board of Education do the same?

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2026/02/board-approves-adjustments-to-2025-2026-school-year-calendar/

If we can’t have school on Eid when it was planned as a make up day all along, we definitely can’t have it on Easter Monday

+1 billion
For all the idiots asking for MCPS to have school on Easter Monday, how are you going to justify that?

I’m not Christian. Please enlighten me. Who celebrates Easter Monday and what is it that happens? I was under the impression that Easter is celebrated on Sunday.

Stay in your lane

What is that supposed to mean? I’m not familiar with the timing of the celebration and I’m trying to learn/understand. Just as you might ask what someone does to commemorate Diwali or Kwanzaa or any number of other holidays you didn’t grow up personally celebrating. I thought Easter was on Sunday. What happens on the Monday and why are so many (presumably) Christian people saying we could have school that day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In light of the large number of snow days this year, the Howard County Board of Education made the responsible decision to adjust their calendar to prioritize instruction during the school year. They applied for a waiver to hold school on Easter Monday and converted some half days to full days (see attached link) so that they can make up the time and still end the school year by June 18. Why in the world can't the MCPS Board of Education do the same?

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2026/02/board-approves-adjustments-to-2025-2026-school-year-calendar/

If we can’t have school on Eid when it was planned as a make up day all along, we definitely can’t have it on Easter Monday

+1 billion
For all the idiots asking for MCPS to have school on Easter Monday, how are you going to justify that?

I’m not Christian. Please enlighten me. Who celebrates Easter Monday and what is it that happens? I was under the impression that Easter is celebrated on Sunday.

Stay in your lane

What is that supposed to mean? I’m not familiar with the timing of the celebration and I’m trying to learn/understand. Just as you might ask what someone does to commemorate Diwali or Kwanzaa or any number of other holidays you didn’t grow up personally celebrating. I thought Easter was on Sunday. What happens on the Monday and why are so many (presumably) Christian people saying we could have school that day?

It’s a state law. Probably around for a long time. It’s unusual for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In light of the large number of snow days this year, the Howard County Board of Education made the responsible decision to adjust their calendar to prioritize instruction during the school year. They applied for a waiver to hold school on Easter Monday and converted some half days to full days (see attached link) so that they can make up the time and still end the school year by June 18. Why in the world can't the MCPS Board of Education do the same?

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2026/02/board-approves-adjustments-to-2025-2026-school-year-calendar/

If we can’t have school on Eid when it was planned as a make up day all along, we definitely can’t have it on Easter Monday

+1 billion
For all the idiots asking for MCPS to have school on Easter Monday, how are you going to justify that?

I’m not Christian. Please enlighten me. Who celebrates Easter Monday and what is it that happens? I was under the impression that Easter is celebrated on Sunday.

Stay in your lane

What is that supposed to mean? I’m not familiar with the timing of the celebration and I’m trying to learn/understand. Just as you might ask what someone does to commemorate Diwali or Kwanzaa or any number of other holidays you didn’t grow up personally celebrating. I thought Easter was on Sunday. What happens on the Monday and why are so many (presumably) Christian people saying we could have school that day?

It’s a state law. Probably around for a long time. It’s unusual for sure.

This area particularly is heavily Catholic.

To the PP, Easter Monday is when Jesus arose from the dead. Crucified on the Friday; arisen on the Monday.

I'm not aware of what Jews celebrate on easter Monday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In light of the large number of snow days this year, the Howard County Board of Education made the responsible decision to adjust their calendar to prioritize instruction during the school year. They applied for a waiver to hold school on Easter Monday and converted some half days to full days (see attached link) so that they can make up the time and still end the school year by June 18. Why in the world can't the MCPS Board of Education do the same?

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2026/02/board-approves-adjustments-to-2025-2026-school-year-calendar/

If we can’t have school on Eid when it was planned as a make up day all along, we definitely can’t have it on Easter Monday

+1 billion
For all the idiots asking for MCPS to have school on Easter Monday, how are you going to justify that?

I’m not Christian. Please enlighten me. Who celebrates Easter Monday and what is it that happens? I was under the impression that Easter is celebrated on Sunday.

Stay in your lane

What is that supposed to mean? I’m not familiar with the timing of the celebration and I’m trying to learn/understand. Just as you might ask what someone does to commemorate Diwali or Kwanzaa or any number of other holidays you didn’t grow up personally celebrating. I thought Easter was on Sunday. What happens on the Monday and why are so many (presumably) Christian people saying we could have school that day?

It’s a state law. Probably around for a long time. It’s unusual for sure.

It's apparently been a MD law since 1865.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In light of the large number of snow days this year, the Howard County Board of Education made the responsible decision to adjust their calendar to prioritize instruction during the school year. They applied for a waiver to hold school on Easter Monday and converted some half days to full days (see attached link) so that they can make up the time and still end the school year by June 18. Why in the world can't the MCPS Board of Education do the same?

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2026/02/board-approves-adjustments-to-2025-2026-school-year-calendar/

If we can’t have school on Eid when it was planned as a make up day all along, we definitely can’t have it on Easter Monday

+1 billion
For all the idiots asking for MCPS to have school on Easter Monday, how are you going to justify that?

I’m not Christian. Please enlighten me. Who celebrates Easter Monday and what is it that happens? I was under the impression that Easter is celebrated on Sunday.

Stay in your lane

What is that supposed to mean? I’m not familiar with the timing of the celebration and I’m trying to learn/understand. Just as you might ask what someone does to commemorate Diwali or Kwanzaa or any number of other holidays you didn’t grow up personally celebrating. I thought Easter was on Sunday. What happens on the Monday and why are so many (presumably) Christian people saying we could have school that day?

It’s a state law. Probably around for a long time. It’s unusual for sure.

This area particularly is heavily Catholic.

To the PP, Easter Monday is when Jesus arose from the dead. Crucified on the Friday; arisen on the Monday.

I'm not aware of what Jews celebrate on easter Monday.

I don't celebrate Easter either since I'm Jewish but I heard it was Easter Sunday that Christians believe that Jesus rose. I figured the whole Easter Monday is for travel purposes.

[Anonymous]

My calendar that lists lots of holidays says that Easter Monday is Canadian

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In light of the large number of snow days this year, the Howard County Board of Education made the responsible decision to adjust their calendar to prioritize instruction during the school year. They applied for a waiver to hold school on Easter Monday and converted some half days to full days (see attached link) so that they can make up the time and still end the school year by June 18. Why in the world can't the MCPS Board of Education do the same?

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2026/02/board-approves-adjustments-to-2025-2026-school-year-calendar/

If we can’t have school on Eid when it was planned as a make up day all along, we definitely can’t have it on Easter Monday

+1 billion
For all the idiots asking for MCPS to have school on Easter Monday, how are you going to justify that?

I’m not Christian. Please enlighten me. Who celebrates Easter Monday and what is it that happens? I was under the impression that Easter is celebrated on Sunday.

Stay in your lane

I grew up in an area with a lot of practicing Catholics and I had never heard of "Easter Monday" until I found out about the MCPS day off.

What is that supposed to mean? I’m not familiar with the timing of the celebration and I’m trying to learn/understand. Just as you might ask what someone does to commemorate Diwali or Kwanzaa or any number of other holidays you didn’t grow up personally celebrating. I thought Easter was on Sunday. What happens on the Monday and why are so many (presumably) Christian people saying we could have school that day?

It’s a state law. Probably around for a long time. It’s unusual for sure.

This area particularly is heavily Catholic.

To the PP, Easter Monday is when Jesus arose from the dead. Crucified on the Friday; arisen on the Monday.

I'm not aware of what Jews celebrate on easter Monday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In light of the large number of snow days this year, the Howard County Board of Education made the responsible decision to adjust their calendar to prioritize instruction during the school year. They applied for a waiver to hold school on Easter Monday and converted some half days to full days (see attached link) so that they can make up the time and still end the school year by June 18. Why in the world can't the MCPS Board of Education do the same?

https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2026/02/board-approves-adjustments-to-2025-2026-school-year-calendar/

If we can’t have school on Eid when it was planned as a make up day all along, we definitely can’t have it on Easter Monday

+1 billion
For all the idiots asking for MCPS to have school on Easter Monday, how are you going to justify that?

I’m not Christian. Please enlighten me. Who celebrates Easter Monday and what is it that happens? I was under the impression that Easter is celebrated on Sunday.

Stay in your lane

What is that supposed to mean? I’m not familiar with the timing of the celebration and I’m trying to learn/understand. Just as you might ask what someone does to commemorate Diwali or Kwanzaa or any number of other holidays you didn’t grow up personally celebrating. I thought Easter was on Sunday. What happens on the Monday and why are so many (presumably) Christian people saying we could have school that day?

It’s a state law. Probably around for a long time. It’s unusual for sure.

This area particularly is heavily Catholic.

To the PP, Easter Monday is when Jesus arose from the dead. Crucified on the Friday; arisen on the Monday.

I'm not aware of what Jews celebrate on easter Monday.

I grew up in an area with a lot of practicing Catholics and I had never heard of "Easter Monday" until I found out about the MCPS day off.

[Anonymous]

Also according to this Maryland ranks #29 in US states by % Catholic:

https://www.worldatlas.com/religion/us-states-by-population-of-catholics.html