Reply to Barcroft or Randolph ES Arlington?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The Barcroft calendar was put in place to help the low income families in the area. They go back to their home companies sometimes several times a year. The year round schedule means their kids miss less school. [/quote]

No, I think it was to help them have more time that they didn't need to find care for their kids (camps are expensive), and to address students' retention/summer backsliding (clearly this hasn't helped in that regard). Money would be better spent creating high quality/low-cost summer camps for students in need? Or make this an option school for families who need/want an alternative calendar. [/quote]

I'm not entirely sure, why the year round calendar was created at Barcroft, but low income families already receive free summer school all summer at the regular calendar schools in Arlington.  I actually think it must be harder for Barcroft parents to find care and camps, etc. outside of the regular calendar?[/quote]

Middle-class Barcroft parent here.  With two working parents, we actually find the year-round calendar to be easier to manage (and rather like it, to be honest). Fewer weeks to cover in the summer and so far we have been able to find camps that meet our child's interests during the weeks in June/July that we need filled. During the two-week breaks in the fall and spring (or less, depending on our travel plans) our child attends Barcroft's intersession classes, which are reasonably priced, still educational, but mostly fun. (To give a sense, sessions in the spring intersession ranged from Cooking with Dr. Seuss to Lego Robotics.)

Disappointed at the direction the school is trending, but hoping a new principal helps and more middle class families give the school a chance. In the meantime, we are reasonably happy with Barcroft and our child's experiences there.[/quote]

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