Melanie Meren's FB post about the calendar

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two things can be true:

1. You enjoy spending time with your children.

2. You want your children to be in school receiving a good education.

Wanting what is best for your children just might involve having them in school consistently.

Smothering just may not be the best mothering.

Can I add number three? I would rather spend an extra day with my child relaxed on a summer beach or even in our neighborhood pool then sitting home on a random Tuesday when we can’t travel because there is school on Wednesday, none of our nearby family has the day off, so we can’t spend time together, and options for enrichment are so intensely limited. Yes I want to spend time with my kid— and I want it to be the right time.

+100

These people saying “oh you just don’t want to be around your kids” are so dumb. I want a longer summer with them! How is that not wanting my kids around? There is a lot more to do in June or August than in February, and yes much easier to coordinate with family who live elsewhere. I don’t understand what has changed since my oldest started K that has caused the need for this ridiculous calendar. It was fine before! How did this area lose all common sense so quickly?

It was fine FOR YOU. Now other people’s holidays are being included and you stomp your foot and say “not fine!” Oh well.

Who exactly were we excluding before we started letting children out on all of these Wednesdays? What cultural holiday requires a five day memorial day weekend

The 5 day Memorial Day weekend is a rare occurrence due to Eid falling on that Wednesday. They turned Tuesday into a TW because many would have pulled their kids that day anyway to make their own 5 day weekend.

For the next two school years, Memorial Day returns to being a 3 day weekend.

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know when this holiday will be set it stone? Is it still TBD 4 weeks prior or 2 weeks prior based on cloud cover?

Eid al-Fitr is confirmed the evening before it begins based on the official siting of the crescent moon. Some localities announced two days that it will officially be celebrated on 3/20, but local mosques can differ.

Eid al-Adha (over Memorial Day weekend) will be confirmed 10 days in advance, so we should know by May17-18.

Then, these days should not be on the calendar at all. Give excused absences once the date is set, but school should be in session.

+1
A floating holiday is nuts in our system.

A floating RELIGIOUS holiday. Get rid of all of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking only for ES, not MS/HS

The 2026-2027 calendar is terrible for teachers. I think it needs to be revisited not to increase the number of 5 days weeks, but to reduce them and provide more planning time.

As PPs have said, the ES pacing guides’ content level is such that the actual instruction for each week can be conducted over 1-2 days. There are few exceptions to this, but as a norm, the amount of content covered each week is pretty low. (I would challenge parents who think the instruction is going at a faster
pace to sub for a day.) At least at the ES level, kids simply are not missing out on academic instruction when schools are closed for a religious holiday, teacher workdays or snow.

The issue is obviously that ES is childcare for many families. So closing schools for teacher workdays or early release is a burden on families. I do not know how to solve this issue.

But families should not be fretting that their kids are behind academically due to the calendar.

I can tell you upper ES has a lot of curriculum. So when talking about ES, you need to remember the content level is way different for 4-6 vs primary grades.

+1, I’ve taught all grade levels ovet the past 20 years. There’s a lot more repetition in 1st-2nd than 5th-6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

You people who want a longer summer are nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

You people who want a longer summer are nuts.

People who want a longer summer:
1. People who want to spend quality time with their kids not dictated by the school calendar.
2. People who have excellent summer resources available to their kids that their kids are excited about.
3. People with family outside the area (large proportion of the DCUM crowd).
4. People who want 12 rational weeks where they’re not trying to manage a work calendar around early release weds/snow days/random Wednesday (VERY Large proportion of the DCUM crowd)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

+1. Why is everyone afraid of their kids learning more than the bare minimum required for a test?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

+1. Why is everyone afraid of their kids learning more than the bare minimum required for a test?

This is one of the things that has really surprised me the most about the early release Wednesday. Let’s take them at their word-hyphen that the teachers desperately *desperately* need three extra hours to plan.

What stops FCPS from finding enriching programming for three hours? Have author talks, nature/science presentations, classical musicians, heck that bubble man. Get the same people providing “childcare” to supervise the kids in a 90 minute assembly where the kids are exposed to something worthwhile and interesting. Less pushback from the parents then you do warehouse children on screens for then reminding parents that it’s only for “hardship” cases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

+1. Why is everyone afraid of their kids learning more than the bare minimum required for a test?

This is one of the things that has really surprised me the most about the early release Wednesday. Let’s take them at their word-hyphen that the teachers desperately *desperately* need three extra hours to plan.

What stops FCPS from finding enriching programming for three hours? Have author talks, nature/science presentations, classical musicians, heck that bubble man. Get the same people providing “childcare” to supervise the kids in a 90 minute assembly where the kids are exposed to something worthwhile and interesting. Less pushback from the parents then you do warehouse children on screens for then reminding parents that it’s only for “hardship” cases.

Money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

+1. Why is everyone afraid of their kids learning more than the bare minimum required for a test?

This is one of the things that has really surprised me the most about the early release Wednesday. Let’s take them at their word-hyphen that the teachers desperately *desperately* need three extra hours to plan.

What stops FCPS from finding enriching programming for three hours? Have author talks, nature/science presentations, classical musicians, heck that bubble man. Get the same people providing “childcare” to supervise the kids in a 90 minute assembly where the kids are exposed to something worthwhile and interesting. Less pushback from the parents then you do warehouse children on screens for then reminding parents that it’s only for “hardship” cases.

My kid stays after for early release and they have enrichment programming, and its never been couched as "only for hardship cases". You should take that up with the principal if thats happening at your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

+1. Why is everyone afraid of their kids learning more than the bare minimum required for a test?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

+1. Why is everyone afraid of their kids learning more than the bare minimum required for a test?

This is one of the things that has really surprised me the most about the early release Wednesday. Let’s take them at their word-hyphen that the teachers desperately *desperately* need three extra hours to plan.

What stops FCPS from finding enriching programming for three hours? Have author talks, nature/science presentations, classical musicians, heck that bubble man. Get the same people providing “childcare” to supervise the kids in a 90 minute assembly where the kids are exposed to something worthwhile and interesting. Less pushback from the parents then you do warehouse children on screens for then reminding parents that it’s only for “hardship” cases.

My kid stays after for early release and they have enrichment programming, and its never been couched as "only for hardship cases". You should take that up with the principal if thats happening at your school.

Who do you think sends the email “reminding” Parents that the childcare is intended for those with hardships?

The group chat, of course, has now started saying we’re going to our hardship today In reference to these pesky jobs which keep our children fed and housed. Just incredibly disrespectful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

+1. Why is everyone afraid of their kids learning more than the bare minimum required for a test?

This is one of the things that has really surprised me the most about the early release Wednesday. Let’s take them at their word-hyphen that the teachers desperately *desperately* need three extra hours to plan.

What stops FCPS from finding enriching programming for three hours? Have author talks, nature/science presentations, classical musicians, heck that bubble man. Get the same people providing “childcare” to supervise the kids in a 90 minute assembly where the kids are exposed to something worthwhile and interesting. Less pushback from the parents then you do warehouse children on screens for then reminding parents that it’s only for “hardship” cases.

My kid stays after for early release and they have enrichment programming, and its never been couched as "only for hardship cases". You should take that up with the principal if thats happening at your school.

Who do you think sends the email “reminding” Parents that the childcare is intended for those with hardships?

The group chat, of course, has now started saying we’re going to our hardship today In reference to these pesky jobs which keep our children fed and housed. Just incredibly disrespectful.

Yet another example of principals/school staff being able to do whatever they want/no consistency in schools. We also get the “hardship” messaging. It was particularly bad last school year, this year they have lightened up a bit. I know that is not the case at every school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

You people who want a longer summer are nuts.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

You people who want a longer summer are nuts.

+1.

Love summer and there’s nothing I hate more about the new calendar than starting two weeks before Labor Day. Was OK with one week before, but two weeks can be mid August depending on the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melanie Meren just posted this on Facebook:

The School Board has heard from many families regarding the lack of full, five-day school weeks this year and the significant burden this places on families who must navigate complex and often costly childcare arrangements. In the 2025-26 school year alone, partial weeks occurred more than half the time, functioning as an informal “childcare tax” that falls hardest on our hourly-wage and most vulnerable households.
To address these challenges, I am collaborating on a new draft policy to be circulated among my School Board colleagues that aims to consolidate overlapping directives into a single, unified framework. A primary goal is to prioritize five-day school weeks as the default standard to restore instructional continuity and provide families with stability they need.
Another goal is to clarify the Superintendent’s responsibilities in developing the student calendar while ensuring the School Board reviews and approves it as part of our annual work cycle.
My goal is to have the calendar beginning in SY 26-27 adjusted to increase the number of five-day school weeks.
I’ll keep the community updated as work proceeds.
Sincerely,
Melanie

So, reach out to your Board and have your opinions heard! Don't wait for some dumb and poorly designed survey to land in your spam folder.

It is clear from Meren’s post that she is concerned about the childcare costs to families. She does not cite academics as one of her concerns.

FCPS staff and leadership are all aware that the content in ES does not require a full five days. Parents should also be aware of this in order to be fully informed during any policy change discussions.

Then— crazy idea here— use the time to teach children more than the bare minimum required.

Or, end elementary school two weeks earlier than middle and high school so the kids can start summer (and summer plans which prioritize kids) sooner.

+1. Why is everyone afraid of their kids learning more than the bare minimum required for a test?

We aren’t. We just don’t need the childcare and can handle the 4 day weeks and random days off here and there. If that helps teachers, I’m all for it.