Why is there another early release day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Maybe this is an issue. I'm a former ES teacher and there typically would have been a lot of work that would have had to be done in the classroom/in the school. It wouldn't have been able to be completed with just a laptop at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Even if elementary school is “glorified babysitting”, the frustration is in the complete lack of consistency. Next week my kids will be in backup care on Monday, SACC on Tuesday, and early release on Wednesday. It is what it is. We make it work. But we pretty much only know how to manage an inconsistent schedule at this point.

The calendar is posted nearly two years in advance. Besides snow days (that everyone has to deal with and no one has control over) if you're struggling to manage a schedule with two years notice, that's on you.

My kids are in HS. This isn't a care issue but a need for them to find their rhythm. This calendar does NOT work.

Being able to navigate an inconsistent and ever fluctuating schedule (although they had 2 years heads up) is one of the best life skills your high schooler could possibly learn at their age. Perhaps it's YOUR student who is not putting in the effort to make it work.

Are you a complete idiot? You really think a lack of consistency is good for learning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Maybe this is an issue. I'm a former ES teacher and there typically would have been a lot of work that would have had to be done in the classroom/in the school. It wouldn't have been able to be completed with just a laptop at home.

A lot of training can be moved online. Heck *all of school* was moved online. Whatever was done for ES teacher planning in 2020-2022 should still be available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Don’t you DARE use that “any care for your students” nonsense with me. You have no idea the sacrifices I already make and how much of myself I pour into this thankless job.

You will NOT attack my character because I simply said that I won’t vilify teachers.

Your anger is misdirected. Take this nonsense to the school board. Accuse them of endangering students. You will NOT do that to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Maybe this is an issue. I'm a former ES teacher and there typically would have been a lot of work that would have had to be done in the classroom/in the school. It wouldn't have been able to be completed with just a laptop at home.

A lot of training can be moved online. Heck *all of school* was moved online. Whatever was done for ES teacher planning in 2020-2022 should still be available.

Sure, for training. A lot of the work that actually goes into planning and preparing has to be done in the building. For example, a teacher can't put together and organize math stations while at home. Grading work in student composition books isn't going to be done remotely. There are a lot of things that can only be done while in the building with access to materials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Maybe this is an issue. I'm a former ES teacher and there typically would have been a lot of work that would have had to be done in the classroom/in the school. It wouldn't have been able to be completed with just a laptop at home.

A lot of training can be moved online. Heck *all of school* was moved online. Whatever was done for ES teacher planning in 2020-2022 should still be available.

Sure, for training. A lot of the work that actually goes into planning and preparing has to be done in the building. For example, a teacher can't put together and organize math stations while at home. Grading work in student composition books isn't going to be done remotely. There are a lot of things that can only be done while in the building with access to materials.

Nor can this be done once per quarter so I doubt it’s being saved for TW days. Composition books is exactly the kind of thing that can and should be available to do at home. Forecast is bad= bring home your books. This is a Very Normal expectation of other professionals and when you act as though teachers couldn’t possibly you insult them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Don’t you DARE use that “any care for your students” nonsense with me. You have no idea the sacrifices I already make and how much of myself I pour into this thankless job.

You will NOT attack my character because I simply said that I won’t vilify teachers.

Your anger is misdirected. Take this nonsense to the school board. Accuse them of endangering students. You will NOT do that to me.

Lady you’re the one on the internet fine with kids going hungry so long as adults get “a little extra time”. I couldn't insult your character further if I tried.

[Anonymous]

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.

Agree. The inconsistency is the worse. I hate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My HSer likes the breaks. Gives them time to get everything done to the best of their ability. Straight A student, all honors and APs.

+100 My oldest has said this prepares them for college- less frequent class meetings and more independent work time. I do see how this could be troublesome for younger students, so ideally there would be fewer breaks at the elementary level while still maintaining them in high school.

The thing is - it is worse at elementary. They have those dang once a month early release days.

[Anonymous]

It's because FCPS doesn't actually care about students or education.