Is this your first year in DCPS? Or any public school? The calendars change quite frequently. That Dec. change was made prior to school beginning or just after so you would have had a few months to plan for the change (though annoying). They may also change the end of the year days depending on snow/hurricane/earthquake days. Many school districts do this.

We have been in 4 different school districts across the nation -- always the same thing. I guess you get used to it. I work so it is a hassle.

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you were even looking at the 2013-2014 school year calendar? We didn't look at it until the end of August but ours really hasn't changed much at all.

That said, don't let anyone stop you from going private next year. Especially if you're at a good school!

Indeed, I don't think the calendar has changed one bit, certainly not since August. And I don't ever recall a PD in December on the 2013/14 calendar. Is it possible you were looking at the wrong one? They have them all lined up, the past, present, and future. And it's not impossible to click on the wrong one. The only thing I could potentially imagine is that you looked at a draft version (submitted for consultation) in maybe February or March.

If this is a reason to go private (or charter) - except for year-round daycare -, do keep in mind, however, that most of them start later and finish earlier. You'll just be scrambling for one to two more weeks of summer camp and all. That is preferable for some, no doubt.

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure you were even looking at the 2013-2014 school year calendar? We didn't look at it until the end of August but ours really hasn't changed much at all.

That said, don't let anyone stop you from going private next year. Especially if you're at a good school!

Wow, really??? As I already stated I have no problems with the school or the teacher. I do, however, believe that HUGE improvements can be made to make the system more effective. Do you even know how many people it impacts when they change things so significantly? I'm talking every month has changed from now on. Aftercare programs, field trips, work schedules etc. Yea, they should get their act together and have the calendar ready before the school year starts. We are not inventing the alphabet here. They are basically copying the one from last year with minor adjustments. Now, other than your general animosity and rudeness what else do you have to bring to the discussion. I swear, if parents in this city could pull their heads out of their asses and think for a minute maybe public school administration would improve as well. Thanks for nothing.

Anonymous wrote:Melissa Kim would change this if she was Chancellor.

Why?

Are you sure you were even looking at the 2013-2014 school year calendar? We didn't look at it until the end of August but ours really hasn't changed much at all.

That said, don't let anyone stop you from going private next year. Especially if you're at a good school!

Melissa Kim would change this if she was Chancellor.

Anonymous wrote:Are you complaining about free pre-k?

No, I'm complaining about the administration's inability to come up with a school calendar. It affects children and parents beyond Pre-k!!!

Anonymous wrote:my understanding is that the calendar was changed in part due to testing dates from outside agencies like OSSE and the College Board

OP here, thanks for this info. I don't know why it was changed, but it's frustrating to rely on one calendar only to find out in December that it's wrong. I'm trying to stay on top of things. I always read everything that comes from school, send anything they request back. If they are going to make so many changes to the calendar why can't they do it from feb to may or June? It's reeks of incompetence when they make the changes so late in the school year.

my understanding is that the calendar was changed in part due to testing dates from outside agencies like OSSE and the College Board

Wow, that's terrible. How are working parents suppose to roll with changes like that? Kids go private (I am considering Deal) and the calendar is published before school starts and is not changed. Parents who are criticizing OP don't know things can be different.

Yes, PP's, you should definitely belittle concerns about administrative incompetence in the city's schools, because it makes you look so witty. Or, you know, like utter assholes. This kind of crap is rampant in DCPS....if you can't even create a calendar and communicate effectively with parents, how can you be trusted to educate children?

OP, please apply to private school.

Are you complaining about free pre-k?

I agree...DCPS is the worst. We've already started applying to privates for our 4 yr old for next year.

Perhaps my expectations are too high, but most places in the world are able to come up with a school calendar and not change it 4 times during the year, right?

My son is in pre-K and the school/teacher is great. I'm frustrated with the DCPS administration. I downloaded the calendar in July and planned all of the days the school was out. I just realized (well, someone pointed it out) that the calendar has been changed significantly. Instead of Dec 13th, they moved the professional day to Jan 6. WTF? Why can't they get their act together before the school year starts so we can all plan. It takes a lot of coordination for the working parents as it is. I guess I'm just venting.