Transition day August 25th

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a system that had a transition day and it worked really well. I think people are just resistant to change. Having the transition day Monday instead of the Thursday prior gives teachers more time. It helps ensure more students are in town and available. It could allow for students who are new in other grades or in new programs to attend. It certainly would be helpful to have something that was consistent and county wide rather than at some schools and not others. Staff who don't have students that day can help out in many other ways, or do other things to help with the start of school. No, it's not exactly the same, but all grade levels have times that they have something that's a little different.

For those complaining about childcare, I don't see that it is that much different than the Thursday before. You'd still have some attending that day and others that weren't. Many parents needed to take off work to ensure their students could attend this partial day-- and many kids missed out either b/c parents couldn't do it, didn't know about it, or the short time wasn't worth it. Once the transition day becomes the norm, there will be organizations that fill the need for child care and families will know how to plan for it, similar to how at least some plan for the process in place at some schools.

As a teacher I'd rather do something the day before school starts than the Thursday before school starts.

[Anonymous]

My child will be entering MS and I think this is a great idea. The timing is good too. Had it been on Thursday, we would not be in town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a system that had a transition day and it worked really well. I think people are just resistant to change. Having the transition day Monday instead of the Thursday prior gives teachers more time. It helps ensure more students are in town and available. It could allow for students who are new in other grades or in new programs to attend. It certainly would be helpful to have something that was consistent and county wide rather than at some schools and not others. Staff who don't have students that day can help out in many other ways, or do other things to help with the start of school. No, it's not exactly the same, but all grade levels have times that they have something that's a little different.

For those complaining about childcare, I don't see that it is that much different than the Thursday before. You'd still have some attending that day and others that weren't. Many parents needed to take off work to ensure their students could attend this partial day-- and many kids missed out either b/c parents couldn't do it, didn't know about it, or the short time wasn't worth it. Once the transition day becomes the norm, there will be organizations that fill the need for child care and families will know how to plan for it, similar to how at least some plan for the process in place at some schools.

As a teacher I'd rather do something the day before school starts than the Thursday before school starts.

So the main benefit gained is doing it in the same week as the first day for everyone else? I guess I can strain myself to see some value in that, but how much value is really gained? I'm skeptical. And unfortunately, MCPS failed to provide any meaningful evidence that would persuade the general public of its value as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in a system that had a transition day and it worked really well. I think people are just resistant to change. Having the transition day Monday instead of the Thursday prior gives teachers more time. It helps ensure more students are in town and available. It could allow for students who are new in other grades or in new programs to attend. It certainly would be helpful to have something that was consistent and county wide rather than at some schools and not others. Staff who don't have students that day can help out in many other ways, or do other things to help with the start of school. No, it's not exactly the same, but all grade levels have times that they have something that's a little different.

For those complaining about childcare, I don't see that it is that much different than the Thursday before. You'd still have some attending that day and others that weren't. Many parents needed to take off work to ensure their students could attend this partial day-- and many kids missed out either b/c parents couldn't do it, didn't know about it, or the short time wasn't worth it. Once the transition day becomes the norm, there will be organizations that fill the need for child care and families will know how to plan for it, similar to how at least some plan for the process in place at some schools.

As a teacher I'd rather do something the day before school starts than the Thursday before school starts.

So the main benefit gained is doing it in the same week as the first day for everyone else? I guess I can strain myself to see some value in that, but how much value is really gained? I'm skeptical. And unfortunately, MCPS failed to provide any meaningful evidence that would persuade the general public of its value as well.

Why do you pretend to know what the "general public" thinks about this? As the parent of a current kindergartener with special needs who was appalled by the lack of any real transition or orientation for my kid, I fully support this change and roll my eyes at all the whining on this thread.