Why is there another early release day?

[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:My board of supervisors rep is running on an affordability platform. I wrote and asked them to address the affordability issues that FCPS is causing their constituents with this calendar. Appropriate childcare for 2-3 kids for early releases and other fully optional days off is running into the five figures and it’s completely avoidable.

I understand that care can be pricey, but this is surprising to me.

It shouldn’t surprise you in this area. October alone cost $2000. We are in jobs which require us to go to the office so the week of snow days a week after the storm was $40/hour.

Yes, we are in Fairfax Co, but 5 figures for just early releases and “fully optional” days off?
BTW, what does that mean, “fully optional days off”? Maybe I’m not considering the same number of days.

I consider a “fully optional” day off when a teacher workday or staff development day is scheduled that doesn’t take advantage of a holiday the way indigenous peoples’ day does or an extended break like Weds before Thanksgiving. I get 13 of those this year though YMMV. Then add early release which went from being no cost to many when they were on a Monday and could be made into a 3-day weekend to $240/day, which is $2000 for the year. Add on to that the incredibly condescending offer to meet our “unique childcare needs” (i.e having a job) and honestly FCPS couldn’t be more out of touch.

I still don’t see how it adds up to $10k+ for those days.

Nanny costs $40/hour for 10 hrs (and hour 9-10 are paid at 1.5) so 13 days is $5,720, $7,720 including early release and with the very good luck that our provider accepts a 6 hour day for early release and doesn’t adhere to the 8hr minimum that the agency usually requires.
Oldest kid (sometimes both) goes to enrichment camps on a few of these days off, average an additional $250 for those days, say $1,000 to make the math easy. These aren't available to the youngest.
Some days they do trips, museums or other age-appropriate and educational activities (you know, what they’re supposed to do in school…) and you reach $10,000 very, very quickly.

That is on you. We split the time at home with our kid and worked an extra hour a day for the week when he was home from school. The only camps we paid for were Winter break, Spring break, and Summer break. His being home cost us little financially. And there are less expensive options if you need to have your kid attend a camp then anything that you listed.

Of course it’s on me. But it’s on every other parent as well— including those who don’t have jobs that let them make up an extra hour for a week, but instead expect them to show up at work if they want their paychecks. Fairfax politicians campaigning on “affordability” better be looking where FCPS is putting extra burdens on parents of young kids when it’s in their power not to.

And I’m a teacher who sometimes has to take leave on teacher workdays because I don’t have childcare. So I stay home as do the exact same work I’d be doing in the building, but I had to burn a day of leave to do it.

We all make sacrifices.

Then what stopped you from doing that work on the week of snow days we just had?

DP
Probably nothing, but even if the teacher got a lot of work done during the snow days, it wouldn’t eliminate the TW, SP, SD or early release days.

But it could. The board could change all snow days to remote-teacher work days for 2026. Childcare is most families second-largest expense after housing and FCPS chooses to add to the burden. If they’re serious about affordability messaging they’re going to have to make a change.

[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:My board of supervisors rep is running on an affordability platform. I wrote and asked them to address the affordability issues that FCPS is causing their constituents with this calendar. Appropriate childcare for 2-3 kids for early releases and other fully optional days off is running into the five figures and it’s completely avoidable.

I understand that care can be pricey, but this is surprising to me.

It shouldn’t surprise you in this area. October alone cost $2000. We are in jobs which require us to go to the office so the week of snow days a week after the storm was $40/hour.

Yes, we are in Fairfax Co, but 5 figures for just early releases and “fully optional” days off?
BTW, what does that mean, “fully optional days off”? Maybe I’m not considering the same number of days.

I consider a “fully optional” day off when a teacher workday or staff development day is scheduled that doesn’t take advantage of a holiday the way indigenous peoples’ day does or an extended break like Weds before Thanksgiving. I get 13 of those this year though YMMV. Then add early release which went from being no cost to many when they were on a Monday and could be made into a 3-day weekend to $240/day, which is $2000 for the year. Add on to that the incredibly condescending offer to meet our “unique childcare needs” (i.e having a job) and honestly FCPS couldn’t be more out of touch.

I still don’t see how it adds up to $10k+ for those days.

Nanny costs $40/hour for 10 hrs (and hour 9-10 are paid at 1.5) so 13 days is $5,720, $7,720 including early release and with the very good luck that our provider accepts a 6 hour day for early release and doesn’t adhere to the 8hr minimum that the agency usually requires.
Oldest kid (sometimes both) goes to enrichment camps on a few of these days off, average an additional $250 for those days, say $1,000 to make the math easy. These aren't available to the youngest.
Some days they do trips, museums or other age-appropriate and educational activities (you know, what they’re supposed to do in school…) and you reach $10,000 very, very quickly.

That is on you. We split the time at home with our kid and worked an extra hour a day for the week when he was home from school. The only camps we paid for were Winter break, Spring break, and Summer break. His being home cost us little financially. And there are less expensive options if you need to have your kid attend a camp then anything that you listed.

Of course it’s on me. But it’s on every other parent as well— including those who don’t have jobs that let them make up an extra hour for a week, but instead expect them to show up at work if they want their paychecks. Fairfax politicians campaigning on “affordability” better be looking where FCPS is putting extra burdens on parents of young kids when it’s in their power not to.

And I’m a teacher who sometimes has to take leave on teacher workdays because I don’t have childcare. So I stay home as do the exact same work I’d be doing in the building, but I had to burn a day of leave to do it.

We all make sacrifices.

Then what stopped you from doing that work on the week of snow days we just had?

DP
Probably nothing, but even if the teacher got a lot of work done during the snow days, it wouldn’t eliminate the TW, SP, SD or early release days.

But it could. The board could change all snow days to remote-teacher work days for 2026. Childcare is most families second-largest expense after housing and FCPS chooses to add to the burden. If they’re serious about affordability messaging they’re going to have to make a change.

Perhaps, as long as the work is able to be done remotely.

[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:My board of supervisors rep is running on an affordability platform. I wrote and asked them to address the affordability issues that FCPS is causing their constituents with this calendar. Appropriate childcare for 2-3 kids for early releases and other fully optional days off is running into the five figures and it’s completely avoidable.

I understand that care can be pricey, but this is surprising to me.

It shouldn’t surprise you in this area. October alone cost $2000. We are in jobs which require us to go to the office so the week of snow days a week after the storm was $40/hour.

Yes, we are in Fairfax Co, but 5 figures for just early releases and “fully optional” days off?
BTW, what does that mean, “fully optional days off”? Maybe I’m not considering the same number of days.

I consider a “fully optional” day off when a teacher workday or staff development day is scheduled that doesn’t take advantage of a holiday the way indigenous peoples’ day does or an extended break like Weds before Thanksgiving. I get 13 of those this year though YMMV. Then add early release which went from being no cost to many when they were on a Monday and could be made into a 3-day weekend to $240/day, which is $2000 for the year. Add on to that the incredibly condescending offer to meet our “unique childcare needs” (i.e having a job) and honestly FCPS couldn’t be more out of touch.

I still don’t see how it adds up to $10k+ for those days.

Nanny costs $40/hour for 10 hrs (and hour 9-10 are paid at 1.5) so 13 days is $5,720, $7,720 including early release and with the very good luck that our provider accepts a 6 hour day for early release and doesn’t adhere to the 8hr minimum that the agency usually requires.
Oldest kid (sometimes both) goes to enrichment camps on a few of these days off, average an additional $250 for those days, say $1,000 to make the math easy. These aren't available to the youngest.
Some days they do trips, museums or other age-appropriate and educational activities (you know, what they’re supposed to do in school…) and you reach $10,000 very, very quickly.

That is on you. We split the time at home with our kid and worked an extra hour a day for the week when he was home from school. The only camps we paid for were Winter break, Spring break, and Summer break. His being home cost us little financially. And there are less expensive options if you need to have your kid attend a camp then anything that you listed.

Of course it’s on me. But it’s on every other parent as well— including those who don’t have jobs that let them make up an extra hour for a week, but instead expect them to show up at work if they want their paychecks. Fairfax politicians campaigning on “affordability” better be looking where FCPS is putting extra burdens on parents of young kids when it’s in their power not to.

And I’m a teacher who sometimes has to take leave on teacher workdays because I don’t have childcare. So I stay home as do the exact same work I’d be doing in the building, but I had to burn a day of leave to do it.

We all make sacrifices.

Then what stopped you from doing that work on the week of snow days we just had?

DP
Probably nothing, but even if the teacher got a lot of work done during the snow days, it wouldn’t eliminate the TW, SP, SD or early release days.

But it could. The board could change all snow days to remote-teacher work days for 2026. Childcare is most families second-largest expense after housing and FCPS chooses to add to the burden. If they’re serious about affordability messaging they’re going to have to make a change.

Perhaps, as long as the work is able to be done remotely.

The teacher posting earlier said she could do it from home. And in the early release justification on the FCPS website it says 1.5 of the 3 hours are directed by admin— so great, make sure the directed hours can be done remotely. Yes some in person training like Red Cross CPR will still be needed but in 2026 its insulting to say teachers can’t be expected to plan and grade from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My board of supervisors rep is running on an affordability platform. I wrote and asked them to address the affordability issues that FCPS is causing their constituents with this calendar. Appropriate childcare for 2-3 kids for early releases and other fully optional days off is running into the five figures and it’s completely avoidable.

I understand that care can be pricey, but this is surprising to me.

It shouldn’t surprise you in this area. October alone cost $2000. We are in jobs which require us to go to the office so the week of snow days a week after the storm was $40/hour.

Yes, we are in Fairfax Co, but 5 figures for just early releases and “fully optional” days off?
BTW, what does that mean, “fully optional days off”? Maybe I’m not considering the same number of days.

I consider a “fully optional” day off when a teacher workday or staff development day is scheduled that doesn’t take advantage of a holiday the way indigenous peoples’ day does or an extended break like Weds before Thanksgiving. I get 13 of those this year though YMMV. Then add early release which went from being no cost to many when they were on a Monday and could be made into a 3-day weekend to $240/day, which is $2000 for the year. Add on to that the incredibly condescending offer to meet our “unique childcare needs” (i.e having a job) and honestly FCPS couldn’t be more out of touch.

I still don’t see how it adds up to $10k+ for those days.

Nanny costs $40/hour for 10 hrs (and hour 9-10 are paid at 1.5) so 13 days is $5,720, $7,720 including early release and with the very good luck that our provider accepts a 6 hour day for early release and doesn’t adhere to the 8hr minimum that the agency usually requires.
Oldest kid (sometimes both) goes to enrichment camps on a few of these days off, average an additional $250 for those days, say $1,000 to make the math easy. These aren't available to the youngest.
Some days they do trips, museums or other age-appropriate and educational activities (you know, what they’re supposed to do in school…) and you reach $10,000 very, very quickly.

That is on you. We split the time at home with our kid and worked an extra hour a day for the week when he was home from school. The only camps we paid for were Winter break, Spring break, and Summer break. His being home cost us little financially. And there are less expensive options if you need to have your kid attend a camp then anything that you listed.

Of course it’s on me. But it’s on every other parent as well— including those who don’t have jobs that let them make up an extra hour for a week, but instead expect them to show up at work if they want their paychecks. Fairfax politicians campaigning on “affordability” better be looking where FCPS is putting extra burdens on parents of young kids when it’s in their power not to.

And I’m a teacher who sometimes has to take leave on teacher workdays because I don’t have childcare. So I stay home as do the exact same work I’d be doing in the building, but I had to burn a day of leave to do it.

We all make sacrifices.

Then what stopped you from doing that work on the week of snow days we just had?

Um… I did work on snow days.

I graded. I reached out to students about missing work. I completely revised an upcoming unit. I updated files. I responded to parent emails. I graded more.

I also shoveled (our house and the neighbors), took care of my own children, and cleaned up around the house.

I’m sorry to break your “lazy teacher” narrative.

[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:My board of supervisors rep is running on an affordability platform. I wrote and asked them to address the affordability issues that FCPS is causing their constituents with this calendar. Appropriate childcare for 2-3 kids for early releases and other fully optional days off is running into the five figures and it’s completely avoidable.

I understand that care can be pricey, but this is surprising to me.

It shouldn’t surprise you in this area. October alone cost $2000. We are in jobs which require us to go to the office so the week of snow days a week after the storm was $40/hour.

Yes, we are in Fairfax Co, but 5 figures for just early releases and “fully optional” days off?
BTW, what does that mean, “fully optional days off”? Maybe I’m not considering the same number of days.

I consider a “fully optional” day off when a teacher workday or staff development day is scheduled that doesn’t take advantage of a holiday the way indigenous peoples’ day does or an extended break like Weds before Thanksgiving. I get 13 of those this year though YMMV. Then add early release which went from being no cost to many when they were on a Monday and could be made into a 3-day weekend to $240/day, which is $2000 for the year. Add on to that the incredibly condescending offer to meet our “unique childcare needs” (i.e having a job) and honestly FCPS couldn’t be more out of touch.

I still don’t see how it adds up to $10k+ for those days.

Nanny costs $40/hour for 10 hrs (and hour 9-10 are paid at 1.5) so 13 days is $5,720, $7,720 including early release and with the very good luck that our provider accepts a 6 hour day for early release and doesn’t adhere to the 8hr minimum that the agency usually requires.
Oldest kid (sometimes both) goes to enrichment camps on a few of these days off, average an additional $250 for those days, say $1,000 to make the math easy. These aren't available to the youngest.
Some days they do trips, museums or other age-appropriate and educational activities (you know, what they’re supposed to do in school…) and you reach $10,000 very, very quickly.

That is on you. We split the time at home with our kid and worked an extra hour a day for the week when he was home from school. The only camps we paid for were Winter break, Spring break, and Summer break. His being home cost us little financially. And there are less expensive options if you need to have your kid attend a camp then anything that you listed.

Of course it’s on me. But it’s on every other parent as well— including those who don’t have jobs that let them make up an extra hour for a week, but instead expect them to show up at work if they want their paychecks. Fairfax politicians campaigning on “affordability” better be looking where FCPS is putting extra burdens on parents of young kids when it’s in their power not to.

And I’m a teacher who sometimes has to take leave on teacher workdays because I don’t have childcare. So I stay home as do the exact same work I’d be doing in the building, but I had to burn a day of leave to do it.

We all make sacrifices.

Then what stopped you from doing that work on the week of snow days we just had?

Um… I did work on snow days.

I graded. I reached out to students about missing work. I completely revised an upcoming unit. I updated files. I responded to parent emails. I graded more.

I also shoveled (our house and the neighbors), took care of my own children, and cleaned up around the house.

I’m sorry to break your “lazy teacher” narrative.

It’s not a lazy teacher narrative. Ita an acknowledgement that teachers can work from home for a lot of the planning/training that is making this calendar so burdensome on families. So that work can get done on snow days, there’s no reason to then have another five early release days. Save families a thousand dollars, increase the amount of educational time for students. Serve your constituents. Seems like everything the school board and local officials should be focused on.

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure what’s being argued anymore. That days should be added to the calendar because teachers could have worked on snow days and now their scheduled work days are unnecessary? How is that less disruptive to families? Many have already scheduled around these days. They’ve signed up for camps. Scheduled vacations. Squeezed in routine appointments. What’s done is done with the snow days. There were even two scheduled work days within those snow days.

This year’s calendar is exceptionally bad but it’s an anomaly. The next two school years are better. I do wish they’d either get rid of 3 hour early releases or figure out a more consistent way of implementing them.

The February date for half the district is ridiculous. The Wednesday after an extra long President’s Day weekend? Attendance is going to be horrendous.

Based on communication received by teachers reminding us of the next early release Wednesday, they seem to be over them too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what’s being argued anymore. That days should be added to the calendar because teachers could have worked on snow days and now their scheduled work days are unnecessary? How is that less disruptive to families? Many have already scheduled around these days. They’ve signed up for camps. Scheduled vacations. Squeezed in routine appointments. What’s done is done with the snow days. There were even two scheduled work days within those snow days.

This year’s calendar is exceptionally bad but it’s an anomaly. The next two school years are better. I do wish they’d either get rid of 3 hour early releases or figure out a more consistent way of implementing them.

The February date for half the district is ridiculous. The Wednesday after an extra long President’s Day weekend? Attendance is going to be horrendous.

Based on communication received by teachers reminding us of the next early release Wednesday, they seem to be over them too.

What’s being argued? Is that early release should be canceled for the remainder of 25-26, and not restored. The board doesn’t have the courage to do that, so instead, they should end them for 26–27 with the express requirement that no days be used as telework workday to make up for the “lack of planning”. Any additional required planning time should be tacked onto vacations that have been extended such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or winter break. Or FCPS can continue to use federal holidays as they do for indigenous peoples for that requirement, they should work with the teachers to find out which would be less onerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what’s being argued anymore. That days should be added to the calendar because teachers could have worked on snow days and now their scheduled work days are unnecessary? How is that less disruptive to families? Many have already scheduled around these days. They’ve signed up for camps. Scheduled vacations. Squeezed in routine appointments. What’s done is done with the snow days. There were even two scheduled work days within those snow days.

This year’s calendar is exceptionally bad but it’s an anomaly. The next two school years are better. I do wish they’d either get rid of 3 hour early releases or figure out a more consistent way of implementing them.

The February date for half the district is ridiculous. The Wednesday after an extra long President’s Day weekend? Attendance is going to be horrendous.

Based on communication received by teachers reminding us of the next early release Wednesday, they seem to be over them too.

What’s being argued? Is that early release should be canceled for the remainder of 25-26, and not restored. The board doesn’t have the courage to do that, so instead, they should end them for 26–27 with the express requirement that no days be used as telework workday to make up for the “lack of planning”. Any additional required planning time should be tacked onto vacations that have been extended such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or winter break. Or FCPS can continue to use federal holidays as they do for indigenous peoples for that requirement, they should work with the teachers to find out which would be less onerous.

So is your argument that teachers should receive no dedicated work time to do what can be done at home during their own time? Like planning lessons or grading papers?

Teachers are already doing most of that type of work at hime. Occasionally, we are given time AT work to do it. Is it that unreasonable to you that teachers are given work time to complete work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what’s being argued anymore. That days should be added to the calendar because teachers could have worked on snow days and now their scheduled work days are unnecessary? How is that less disruptive to families? Many have already scheduled around these days. They’ve signed up for camps. Scheduled vacations. Squeezed in routine appointments. What’s done is done with the snow days. There were even two scheduled work days within those snow days.

This year’s calendar is exceptionally bad but it’s an anomaly. The next two school years are better. I do wish they’d either get rid of 3 hour early releases or figure out a more consistent way of implementing them.

The February date for half the district is ridiculous. The Wednesday after an extra long President’s Day weekend? Attendance is going to be horrendous.

Based on communication received by teachers reminding us of the next early release Wednesday, they seem to be over them too.

What’s being argued? Is that early release should be canceled for the remainder of 25-26, and not restored. The board doesn’t have the courage to do that, so instead, they should end them for 26–27 with the express requirement that no days be used as telework workday to make up for the “lack of planning”. Any additional required planning time should be tacked onto vacations that have been extended such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or winter break. Or FCPS can continue to use federal holidays as they do for indigenous peoples for that requirement, they should work with the teachers to find out which would be less onerous.

So is your argument that teachers should receive no dedicated work time to do what can be done at home during their own time? Like planning lessons or grading papers?

Teachers are already doing most of that type of work at hime. Occasionally, we are given time AT work to do it. Is it that unreasonable to you that teachers are given work time to complete work?

Yeah, Im not sure what the expectations are. If the point of these three hour early releases is to catch up on planning and grading, then how can they be effectively substituted during a week of snow days? The work didn’t exist yet.

However, this school year is already padded with several unusual mid quarter TW, so I’m not sure, for example why a TW is needed Tuesday next to a 3 hour early release. Or in April right after a TW that is scheduled right after Spring Break. Or in May when there’s a random TW to justify Memorial Day and Eid closures. That issue is unrelated to snow days, though, and more to do with why we had 3 hour early releases this year when there were already an abnormal number of TW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what’s being argued anymore. That days should be added to the calendar because teachers could have worked on snow days and now their scheduled work days are unnecessary? How is that less disruptive to families? Many have already scheduled around these days. They’ve signed up for camps. Scheduled vacations. Squeezed in routine appointments. What’s done is done with the snow days. There were even two scheduled work days within those snow days.

This year’s calendar is exceptionally bad but it’s an anomaly. The next two school years are better. I do wish they’d either get rid of 3 hour early releases or figure out a more consistent way of implementing them.

The February date for half the district is ridiculous. The Wednesday after an extra long President’s Day weekend? Attendance is going to be horrendous.

Based on communication received by teachers reminding us of the next early release Wednesday, they seem to be over them too.

What’s being argued? Is that early release should be canceled for the remainder of 25-26, and not restored. The board doesn’t have the courage to do that, so instead, they should end them for 26–27 with the express requirement that no days be used as telework workday to make up for the “lack of planning”. Any additional required planning time should be tacked onto vacations that have been extended such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or winter break. Or FCPS can continue to use federal holidays as they do for indigenous peoples for that requirement, they should work with the teachers to find out which would be less onerous.

So is your argument that teachers should receive no dedicated work time to do what can be done at home during their own time? Like planning lessons or grading papers?

Teachers are already doing most of that type of work at hime. Occasionally, we are given time AT work to do it. Is it that unreasonable to you that teachers are given work time to complete work?

Yeah, Im not sure what the expectations are. If the point of these three hour early releases is to catch up on planning and grading, then how can they be effectively substituted during a week of snow days? The work didn’t exist yet.

However, this school year is already padded with several unusual mid quarter TW, so I’m not sure, for example why a TW is needed Tuesday next to a 3 hour early release. Or in April right after a TW that is scheduled right after Spring Break. Or in May when there’s a random TW to justify Memorial Day and Eid closures. That issue is unrelated to snow days, though, and more to do with why we had 3 hour early releases this year when there were already an abnormal number of TW.

The TW on Tuesday is a cover for the Lunar New Year holiday that nobody wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what’s being argued anymore. That days should be added to the calendar because teachers could have worked on snow days and now their scheduled work days are unnecessary? How is that less disruptive to families? Many have already scheduled around these days. They’ve signed up for camps. Scheduled vacations. Squeezed in routine appointments. What’s done is done with the snow days. There were even two scheduled work days within those snow days.

This year’s calendar is exceptionally bad but it’s an anomaly. The next two school years are better. I do wish they’d either get rid of 3 hour early releases or figure out a more consistent way of implementing them.

The February date for half the district is ridiculous. The Wednesday after an extra long President’s Day weekend? Attendance is going to be horrendous.

Based on communication received by teachers reminding us of the next early release Wednesday, they seem to be over them too.

What’s being argued? Is that early release should be canceled for the remainder of 25-26, and not restored. The board doesn’t have the courage to do that, so instead, they should end them for 26–27 with the express requirement that no days be used as telework workday to make up for the “lack of planning”. Any additional required planning time should be tacked onto vacations that have been extended such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or winter break. Or FCPS can continue to use federal holidays as they do for indigenous peoples for that requirement, they should work with the teachers to find out which would be less onerous.

So is your argument that teachers should receive no dedicated work time to do what can be done at home during their own time? Like planning lessons or grading papers?

Teachers are already doing most of that type of work at hime. Occasionally, we are given time AT work to do it. Is it that unreasonable to you that teachers are given work time to complete work?

Snow Days are contracted days. So no, not on their own time. I’m saying parents shouldn’t be double taxed— two days off in February should equal the removal of four early release days in the spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what’s being argued anymore. That days should be added to the calendar because teachers could have worked on snow days and now their scheduled work days are unnecessary? How is that less disruptive to families? Many have already scheduled around these days. They’ve signed up for camps. Scheduled vacations. Squeezed in routine appointments. What’s done is done with the snow days. There were even two scheduled work days within those snow days.

This year’s calendar is exceptionally bad but it’s an anomaly. The next two school years are better. I do wish they’d either get rid of 3 hour early releases or figure out a more consistent way of implementing them.

The February date for half the district is ridiculous. The Wednesday after an extra long President’s Day weekend? Attendance is going to be horrendous.

Based on communication received by teachers reminding us of the next early release Wednesday, they seem to be over them too.

What’s being argued? Is that early release should be canceled for the remainder of 25-26, and not restored. The board doesn’t have the courage to do that, so instead, they should end them for 26–27 with the express requirement that no days be used as telework workday to make up for the “lack of planning”. Any additional required planning time should be tacked onto vacations that have been extended such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or winter break. Or FCPS can continue to use federal holidays as they do for indigenous peoples for that requirement, they should work with the teachers to find out which would be less onerous.

So is your argument that teachers should receive no dedicated work time to do what can be done at home during their own time? Like planning lessons or grading papers?

Teachers are already doing most of that type of work at hime. Occasionally, we are given time AT work to do it. Is it that unreasonable to you that teachers are given work time to complete work?

Yeah, Im not sure what the expectations are. If the point of these three hour early releases is to catch up on planning and grading, then how can they be effectively substituted during a week of snow days? The work didn’t exist yet.

However, this school year is already padded with several unusual mid quarter TW, so I’m not sure, for example why a TW is needed Tuesday next to a 3 hour early release. Or in April right after a TW that is scheduled right after Spring Break. Or in May when there’s a random TW to justify Memorial Day and Eid closures. That issue is unrelated to snow days, though, and more to do with why we had 3 hour early releases this year when there were already an abnormal number of TW.

Only half of each of the early releases is designated for planning/grading. The other 1.5 hrs is admin directed. That should all be made available online. And if teachers had two planning days first week feb they shouldn’t be behind and need to catch up now in the third week of feb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what’s being argued anymore. That days should be added to the calendar because teachers could have worked on snow days and now their scheduled work days are unnecessary? How is that less disruptive to families? Many have already scheduled around these days. They’ve signed up for camps. Scheduled vacations. Squeezed in routine appointments. What’s done is done with the snow days. There were even two scheduled work days within those snow days.

This year’s calendar is exceptionally bad but it’s an anomaly. The next two school years are better. I do wish they’d either get rid of 3 hour early releases or figure out a more consistent way of implementing them.

The February date for half the district is ridiculous. The Wednesday after an extra long President’s Day weekend? Attendance is going to be horrendous.

Based on communication received by teachers reminding us of the next early release Wednesday, they seem to be over them too.

What’s being argued? Is that early release should be canceled for the remainder of 25-26, and not restored. The board doesn’t have the courage to do that, so instead, they should end them for 26–27 with the express requirement that no days be used as telework workday to make up for the “lack of planning”. Any additional required planning time should be tacked onto vacations that have been extended such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or winter break. Or FCPS can continue to use federal holidays as they do for indigenous peoples for that requirement, they should work with the teachers to find out which would be less onerous.

So is your argument that teachers should receive no dedicated work time to do what can be done at home during their own time? Like planning lessons or grading papers?

Teachers are already doing most of that type of work at hime. Occasionally, we are given time AT work to do it. Is it that unreasonable to you that teachers are given work time to complete work?

Snow Days are contracted days. So no, not on their own time. I’m saying parents shouldn’t be double taxed— two days off in February should equal the removal of four early release days in the spring.

Perhaps I see this differently because I am a teacher and therefore am fully aware of the workload. I’m not going to resent my own kids’ teachers because they got a little extra time to work through their immense backlog of work. (I’m also not going to resent them because I know they have zero control over calendars.)

And I say this as a parent, too… and one who has to find / pay for my own childcare on teacher workdays.

But certainly continue to misdirect your anger at teachers. It’ll have zero impact, but maybe it makes you feel grander somehow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure what’s being argued anymore. That days should be added to the calendar because teachers could have worked on snow days and now their scheduled work days are unnecessary? How is that less disruptive to families? Many have already scheduled around these days. They’ve signed up for camps. Scheduled vacations. Squeezed in routine appointments. What’s done is done with the snow days. There were even two scheduled work days within those snow days.

This year’s calendar is exceptionally bad but it’s an anomaly. The next two school years are better. I do wish they’d either get rid of 3 hour early releases or figure out a more consistent way of implementing them.

The February date for half the district is ridiculous. The Wednesday after an extra long President’s Day weekend? Attendance is going to be horrendous.

Based on communication received by teachers reminding us of the next early release Wednesday, they seem to be over them too.

What’s being argued? Is that early release should be canceled for the remainder of 25-26, and not restored. The board doesn’t have the courage to do that, so instead, they should end them for 26–27 with the express requirement that no days be used as telework workday to make up for the “lack of planning”. Any additional required planning time should be tacked onto vacations that have been extended such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, or winter break. Or FCPS can continue to use federal holidays as they do for indigenous peoples for that requirement, they should work with the teachers to find out which would be less onerous.

So is your argument that teachers should receive no dedicated work time to do what can be done at home during their own time? Like planning lessons or grading papers?

Teachers are already doing most of that type of work at hime. Occasionally, we are given time AT work to do it. Is it that unreasonable to you that teachers are given work time to complete work?

Snow Days are contracted days. So no, not on their own time. I’m saying parents shouldn’t be double taxed— two days off in February should equal the removal of four early release days in the spring.

Perhaps I see this differently because I am a teacher and therefore am fully aware of the workload. I’m not going to resent my own kids’ teachers because they got a little extra time to work through their immense backlog of work. (I’m also not going to resent them because I know they have zero control over calendars.)

And I say this as a parent, too… and one who has to find / pay for my own childcare on teacher workdays.

But certainly continue to misdirect your anger at teachers. It’ll have zero impact, but maybe it makes you feel grander somehow.

It’s not anger at teachers to point out that Snow Days are contract days, nor anger at teachers to observe that in 2026 the overwhelming majority of professionals who can telework are fully expected to do so during snow.

If you have any care for your students you don’t actually want their parents scrambling for childcare. What’s available for what many can afford is downright dangerous. FARM kids don’t get meals on teacher workdays. If jeopardizing your students safety is worth “a little extra time” maybe you need to consider another profession.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These threads are so tiring.

The inconsistent, roller‑coaster schedule is more exhausting than anything. Every time the kids finally get some momentum and routine, here comes another day off - or two. Would be nice for kids to actually stay in school for several weeks in a row, right? But somehow we’re still expected to keep perfect attendance.

Good thing college or the military and life all have extremely consistent schedules

There’s a time and place for learning how to manage inconsistency. Elementary school is not it. Have some sense.

Elementary school is glorified babysitting. Let's be honest here. Also, unless your child's elementary school teacher is sticking to a strict classroom routine that never deviates (they don't), your point is mute.

Interesting how you're implying elementary school is apparently the appropriate time for students to learn routine and consistency, but not how to manage inconsistency.

The National Institute of Health would disagree, but what do they know. Make it make sense.

Sorry, you lost what little credibility you may have had when you used the word “mute” in this context. And your arguments are nonsensical. Good grief.