Bill Giving MD Schools Flexibility on Start Date Gains Traction in Assembly (Opposed by Governor)

[Anonymous]

Fingers crossed that this passes and we can have more buffer built into our schedule next year.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/bill-giving-county-schools-flexibility-on-start-date-class-scheduling-supported/
Legislation introduced by Sen. Nancy King of Montgomery County, a former president and eight-year member of the county school board, and Prince George’s County Sen. Paul Pinsky would allow the state’s 24 local school boards to establish their own calendars.

Senate Bill 128, which was supported by education activists during a Wednesday committee hearing, would overturn an executive order from Gov. Larry Hogan requiring all schools to open after Labor Day.

Hogan’s 2016 order, which met with criticism, was made to promote small businesses through the holiday and “protect the traditional end of summer.”

The requirement has put a strain on school systems struggling to find a way to accommodate the order along with state mandates that students attend 180 days of classes without the school year extending past June 15.

Such is true in Montgomery County, where schools were originally scheduled to release for summer break June 13 this school year, but the calendar was extended Wednesday when schools were closed due to inclement weather. Because of state restrictions, any additional weather or emergency closures could have to be made up during spring break or teacher service days unless the state school board grants a waiver.

“We’ve really been struggling for the last two years because of this new calendar,” Montgomery County school board member Judy Docca said. “We always started in August, and now, if we need to make up time, there’s only so much we can do.”

[Anonymous]

Yes. Write to your legislators.

[Anonymous]

I really wish MoCo would consider a year-round calendar with a much shorter summer and several longer breaks scattered through the year. Less summer slide, less kids missing school for family vacations because no one can afford to fly a family during peak summer (and with our growing multi national population it is becoming an ever bigger issue), and less burnout through the year. We seem to be hanging onto the old system just because that’s how we used to do it, but it really doesn’t make sense anymore. I’d rather my kids had several multi-week breaks through the year to relax, do a camp, or travel than the long slog they have now... better to be in school in the heat of August and then having a break and playing outside in the glory days of October.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really wish MoCo would consider a year-round calendar with a much shorter summer and several longer breaks scattered through the year. Less summer slide, less kids missing school for family vacations because no one can afford to fly a family during peak summer (and with our growing multi national population it is becoming an ever bigger issue), and less burnout through the year. We seem to be hanging onto the old system just because that’s how we used to do it, but it really doesn’t make sense anymore. I’d rather my kids had several multi-week breaks through the year to relax, do a camp, or travel than the long slog they have now... better to be in school in the heat of August and then having a break and playing outside in the glory days of October.

Nope that would not work for HS kids with internships and travel to colleges. Can you imagine the whole country HS students can do internships and summer programs and your kid cannot due to your proposed idea? Then you kid cannot go to his dream school...
I am sure your perspective will change in seconds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really wish MoCo would consider a year-round calendar with a much shorter summer and several longer breaks scattered through the year. Less summer slide, less kids missing school for family vacations because no one can afford to fly a family during peak summer (and with our growing multi national population it is becoming an ever bigger issue), and less burnout through the year. We seem to be hanging onto the old system just because that’s how we used to do it, but it really doesn’t make sense anymore. I’d rather my kids had several multi-week breaks through the year to relax, do a camp, or travel than the long slog they have now... better to be in school in the heat of August and then having a break and playing outside in the glory days of October.

Nope that would not work for HS kids with internships and travel to colleges. Can you imagine the whole country HS students can do internships and summer programs and your kid cannot due to your proposed idea? Then you kid cannot go to his dream school...
I am sure your perspective will change in seconds.

I'm not that poster, but there are year-round internships (akin to the year-round jobs that poorer kids have anyway).

[Anonymous]

I am not opposed to the start date after Labor Day, in fact, I consider it quite nice. I am also cognizant of the rest of the state of MD needing business revenues and as a resident of MD, I am happy to do my part. But if MCPS goes back to starting school in August I hope that they allow for a mid-winter break in February along with spring break. This would allow younger students to rest and older students to visit more colleges or spend time with family. I am not opposed to school ending in June after the 15th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really wish MoCo would consider a year-round calendar with a much shorter summer and several longer breaks scattered through the year. Less summer slide, less kids missing school for family vacations because no one can afford to fly a family during peak summer (and with our growing multi national population it is becoming an ever bigger issue), and less burnout through the year. We seem to be hanging onto the old system just because that’s how we used to do it, but it really doesn’t make sense anymore. I’d rather my kids had several multi-week breaks through the year to relax, do a camp, or travel than the long slog they have now... better to be in school in the heat of August and then having a break and playing outside in the glory days of October.

Nope that would not work for HS kids with internships and travel to colleges. Can you imagine the whole country HS students can do internships and summer programs and your kid cannot due to your proposed idea? Then you kid cannot go to his dream school...
I am sure your perspective will change in seconds.

NP. I agree that the year round schedule would be best. Internships/camps/childcare would simply adjust if more school systems, especially a large one like MCPS, changed to the much more sensible year round schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really wish MoCo would consider a year-round calendar with a much shorter summer and several longer breaks scattered through the year. Less summer slide, less kids missing school for family vacations because no one can afford to fly a family during peak summer (and with our growing multi national population it is becoming an ever bigger issue), and less burnout through the year. We seem to be hanging onto the old system just because that’s how we used to do it, but it really doesn’t make sense anymore. I’d rather my kids had several multi-week breaks through the year to relax, do a camp, or travel than the long slog they have now... better to be in school in the heat of August and then having a break and playing outside in the glory days of October.

Nope that would not work for HS kids with internships and travel to colleges. Can you imagine the whole country HS students can do internships and summer programs and your kid cannot due to your proposed idea? Then you kid cannot go to his dream school...
I am sure your perspective will change in seconds.

I'm not that poster, but there are year-round internships (akin to the year-round jobs that poorer kids have anyway).

+ 1

Besides MD students do internships in mostly the DMV area. I think DMV organizations will be willing to accomodate year round internships. Also, vendors who run camps can easily put together camps for shorter periods throughout the year. It will actually be better for everyone.

Anyways, we are jumping the gun here. The idiots running things will not agree to breaks of a week or two after every quarter and shorter summers. The conversation currently is only about flexibility in start date.

[Anonymous]

I actually very happy with current calendar. It is much easier to plan ahead for summer. Nobody can study late in June or in early August. The problem is not start and end date. Problem is MCPS with ton of closed days. It is MCPS that is by purpose trying to twist parents' hands and make our life miserable with crazy schedule during the year and rediculous spring break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually very happy with current calendar. It is much easier to plan ahead for summer. Nobody can study late in June or in early August. The problem is not start and end date. Problem is MCPS with ton of closed days. It is MCPS that is by purpose trying to twist parents' hands and make our life miserable with crazy schedule during the year and rediculous spring break.

Which closed days do you suggest getting rid of?

[Anonymous]

Do not forget that our amazing busses do not have air conditioners and half schools have problems with air-conditioning even in May! The problem is MCPS not governor! Governor want to bring business and money to state.
Do you want higher taxes but school in summer? I do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually very happy with current calendar. It is much easier to plan ahead for summer. Nobody can study late in June or in early August. The problem is not start and end date. Problem is MCPS with ton of closed days. It is MCPS that is by purpose trying to twist parents' hands and make our life miserable with crazy schedule during the year and rediculous spring break.

I feel the exact same way.

[Anonymous]

It's silly to even discuss this since the teachers union is definitely not buying into a year around school without massive pay increases which aren't in the budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not forget that our amazing busses do not have air conditioners and half schools have problems with air-conditioning even in May! The problem is MCPS not governor! Governor want to bring business and money to state.
Do you want higher taxes but school in summer? I do not.

Please explain how local school board control over the calendar for the local school district means higher taxes.

[Anonymous]

If I write to my legislator it will be to keep the current school calendar. I’m pretty happy about the way in which things are going. I don’t want my kid on a hot school bus or in a hot classroom.