Excluding speculation, does anyone know a legit timeframe in which they will be making the decision?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proposal:

Time the start of the school year so that the midpoint comes in late December. The first semester ends with a two-week winter break. Spring break comes midway through the second semester, not tied to Easter.

There's a grade prep day at the end of the first quarter and three days off for Thanksgiving. Schools do not get Federal holidays off. If you take your kids out of school for a vacation, teachers do not provide assignments in advance, and any missed tests go down as 0s.

Rosh Hashanna, Yom Kippur, Eid, and Diwali are all days off. Seniors can choose to be absent to visit colleges but teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance or make-up tests.

Well I'm getting you don't have a senior. Seniors can "choose" to take days off?! Ha! I guess they can "choose" not to go to college then right?

It sounds as though your kids haven't been through the search process yet? Some (not all) of mine have, both before and during COVID, and it used to be that absences for Admitted Student Days were excused, but that wasn't until March/April. I suspect some parents of seniors will complain that my proposed schedule doesn't provide enough days off for college visits, but I don't think the school year should be arranged for the convenience of one class. So letting students who can manage it take days off their senior year is my proposed compromise. (There are also spring breaks and summer vacations, so with judicious planning, there could be a fair number of visits)

DP here. Personally, I think a couple of days for college visits it more than adequate and generous. There are other long breaks and lots of long weekends seniors can visit schools during. Just as the whole school shouldn't be scheduled around one class, one class shouldn't be scheduled around some of its students -- not all students even plan to go to college, while some only consider local options or a limited number of schools and don't need to make countless college visits, etc. But I disagree that students shouldn't be able to get assignments or make-up tests for a few college visits or for their religious holiday observances. Those should have the same considerations given for absences caused by illness. It's not like they're just playing hooky.

There aren't "lots of long weekends" if there's school during federal holidays.

It's the college visits for which you don't get advance assignments and make-up tests, not absences for religious holidays.

Yes, that was my point about assignments and make-up tests - they should be provided just like they would be for absences due to sickness or religious observances.
And I didn't say take away the federal holidays - I said students can make use of them for their college visits.
You need to read more carefully and stop conflating posts.

Are you even familiar with the college search process or did your kid have a very limited search? Because a lot of colleges do not even offer tours on federal holidays.

You're really insufferable and your only purpose is to be an obstacle. You don't seem to acknowledge or mind that the school calendar has changed over the years, yet you seem to insist none of the changes people suggest or would like to see are possible. Didn't used to be allowed to start before Labor Day; but you can now. Winter break used to be a week long, changed to two weeks, can easily be changed back to one.

You can still see colleges on Saturdays. You don't always have to have an official tour or interview when you're shopping to decide which schools you are really interested in.

But you can keep pretending to believe everyone else is ignorant and their suggestions, ideas, and comments are impossible.

Well you sound pleasant. ; )

For everyone's awareness, a lot of colleges do not offer tours on a Saturday. And yes while you can go to a campus and walk around without a tour, you get a lot more out of it if there is a tour. I don't travel 3 states away to walk around a campus without an actual tour. Again, this will likely make more sense to you when you go through the process with your kids.

Then plan accordingly for those schools and take your kid out of school for the others. Or go during one of the longer breaks - I know there is such limited time... let' see: 9 - 10 weeks during the summer, 2 weeks during the winter, 1 week during the spring. I realize that's only 12 or 13 weeks a year; but I have confidence in you to manage it somehow.

BTW, for everyone else - you don't necessarily get a lot more out of an official tour. They're not all great and don't necessarily give you a sense of the "feel" of the school. You can get a lot out of walking around on your own and observing and getting a sense of the activity on campus. You don't have to know the names of all the buildings or where all the different fields of study are located; much of a school's history is available for reading. I've been through the process and it is not necessary to have a tour to determine what schools you might be interested in even looking at to begin with. Nor is it necessary to take an official tour of a dozen schools of possible interest, especially when several of those dozen are probably of quite low interest on the student's list. Parents and students are over-doing it in their college searches these days.

And it is all irrelevant of the topic of the thread, as the school calendar is not - and should not, and will not - be based on some seniors who want to visit colleges.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proposal:

Time the start of the school year so that the midpoint comes in late December. The first semester ends with a two-week winter break. Spring break comes midway through the second semester, not tied to Easter.

There's a grade prep day at the end of the first quarter and three days off for Thanksgiving. Schools do not get Federal holidays off. If you take your kids out of school for a vacation, teachers do not provide assignments in advance, and any missed tests go down as 0s.

Rosh Hashanna, Yom Kippur, Eid, and Diwali are all days off. Seniors can choose to be absent to visit colleges but teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance or make-up tests.

Well I'm getting you don't have a senior. Seniors can "choose" to take days off?! Ha! I guess they can "choose" not to go to college then right?

It sounds as though your kids haven't been through the search process yet? Some (not all) of mine have, both before and during COVID, and it used to be that absences for Admitted Student Days were excused, but that wasn't until March/April. I suspect some parents of seniors will complain that my proposed schedule doesn't provide enough days off for college visits, but I don't think the school year should be arranged for the convenience of one class. So letting students who can manage it take days off their senior year is my proposed compromise. (There are also spring breaks and summer vacations, so with judicious planning, there could be a fair number of visits)

DP here. Personally, I think a couple of days for college visits it more than adequate and generous. There are other long breaks and lots of long weekends seniors can visit schools during. Just as the whole school shouldn't be scheduled around one class, one class shouldn't be scheduled around some of its students -- not all students even plan to go to college, while some only consider local options or a limited number of schools and don't need to make countless college visits, etc. But I disagree that students shouldn't be able to get assignments or make-up tests for a few college visits or for their religious holiday observances. Those should have the same considerations given for absences caused by illness. It's not like they're just playing hooky.

There aren't "lots of long weekends" if there's school during federal holidays.

It's the college visits for which you don't get advance assignments and make-up tests, not absences for religious holidays.

Yes, that was my point about assignments and make-up tests - they should be provided just like they would be for absences due to sickness or religious observances.
And I didn't say take away the federal holidays - I said students can make use of them for their college visits.
You need to read more carefully and stop conflating posts.

Are you even familiar with the college search process or did your kid have a very limited search? Because a lot of colleges do not even offer tours on federal holidays.

You're really insufferable and your only purpose is to be an obstacle. You don't seem to acknowledge or mind that the school calendar has changed over the years, yet you seem to insist none of the changes people suggest or would like to see are possible. Didn't used to be allowed to start before Labor Day; but you can now. Winter break used to be a week long, changed to two weeks, can easily be changed back to one.

You can still see colleges on Saturdays. You don't always have to have an official tour or interview when you're shopping to decide which schools you are really interested in.

But you can keep pretending to believe everyone else is ignorant and their suggestions, ideas, and comments are impossible.

Well you sound pleasant. ; )

For everyone's awareness, a lot of colleges do not offer tours on a Saturday. And yes while you can go to a campus and walk around without a tour, you get a lot more out of it if there is a tour. I don't travel 3 states away to walk around a campus without an actual tour. Again, this will likely make more sense to you when you go through the process with your kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proposal:

Time the start of the school year so that the midpoint comes in late December. The first semester ends with a two-week winter break. Spring break comes midway through the second semester, not tied to Easter.

There's a grade prep day at the end of the first quarter and three days off for Thanksgiving. Schools do not get Federal holidays off. If you take your kids out of school for a vacation, teachers do not provide assignments in advance, and any missed tests go down as 0s.

Rosh Hashanna, Yom Kippur, Eid, and Diwali are all days off. Seniors can choose to be absent to visit colleges but teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance or make-up tests.

Well I'm getting you don't have a senior. Seniors can "choose" to take days off?! Ha! I guess they can "choose" not to go to college then right?

It sounds as though your kids haven't been through the search process yet? Some (not all) of mine have, both before and during COVID, and it used to be that absences for Admitted Student Days were excused, but that wasn't until March/April. I suspect some parents of seniors will complain that my proposed schedule doesn't provide enough days off for college visits, but I don't think the school year should be arranged for the convenience of one class. So letting students who can manage it take days off their senior year is my proposed compromise. (There are also spring breaks and summer vacations, so with judicious planning, there could be a fair number of visits)

DP here. Personally, I think a couple of days for college visits it more than adequate and generous. There are other long breaks and lots of long weekends seniors can visit schools during. Just as the whole school shouldn't be scheduled around one class, one class shouldn't be scheduled around some of its students -- not all students even plan to go to college, while some only consider local options or a limited number of schools and don't need to make countless college visits, etc. But I disagree that students shouldn't be able to get assignments or make-up tests for a few college visits or for their religious holiday observances. Those should have the same considerations given for absences caused by illness. It's not like they're just playing hooky.

There aren't "lots of long weekends" if there's school during federal holidays.

It's the college visits for which you don't get advance assignments and make-up tests, not absences for religious holidays.

Yes, that was my point about assignments and make-up tests - they should be provided just like they would be for absences due to sickness or religious observances.
And I didn't say take away the federal holidays - I said students can make use of them for their college visits.
You need to read more carefully and stop conflating posts.

Are you even familiar with the college search process or did your kid have a very limited search? Because a lot of colleges do not even offer tours on federal holidays.

You're really insufferable and your only purpose is to be an obstacle. You don't seem to acknowledge or mind that the school calendar has changed over the years, yet you seem to insist none of the changes people suggest or would like to see are possible. Didn't used to be allowed to start before Labor Day; but you can now. Winter break used to be a week long, changed to two weeks, can easily be changed back to one.

You can still see colleges on Saturdays. You don't always have to have an official tour or interview when you're shopping to decide which schools you are really interested in.

But you can keep pretending to believe everyone else is ignorant and their suggestions, ideas, and comments are impossible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proposal:

Time the start of the school year so that the midpoint comes in late December. The first semester ends with a two-week winter break. Spring break comes midway through the second semester, not tied to Easter.

There's a grade prep day at the end of the first quarter and three days off for Thanksgiving. Schools do not get Federal holidays off. If you take your kids out of school for a vacation, teachers do not provide assignments in advance, and any missed tests go down as 0s.

Rosh Hashanna, Yom Kippur, Eid, and Diwali are all days off. Seniors can choose to be absent to visit colleges but teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance or make-up tests.

Well I'm getting you don't have a senior. Seniors can "choose" to take days off?! Ha! I guess they can "choose" not to go to college then right?

It sounds as though your kids haven't been through the search process yet? Some (not all) of mine have, both before and during COVID, and it used to be that absences for Admitted Student Days were excused, but that wasn't until March/April. I suspect some parents of seniors will complain that my proposed schedule doesn't provide enough days off for college visits, but I don't think the school year should be arranged for the convenience of one class. So letting students who can manage it take days off their senior year is my proposed compromise. (There are also spring breaks and summer vacations, so with judicious planning, there could be a fair number of visits)

DP here. Personally, I think a couple of days for college visits it more than adequate and generous. There are other long breaks and lots of long weekends seniors can visit schools during. Just as the whole school shouldn't be scheduled around one class, one class shouldn't be scheduled around some of its students -- not all students even plan to go to college, while some only consider local options or a limited number of schools and don't need to make countless college visits, etc. But I disagree that students shouldn't be able to get assignments or make-up tests for a few college visits or for their religious holiday observances. Those should have the same considerations given for absences caused by illness. It's not like they're just playing hooky.

There aren't "lots of long weekends" if there's school during federal holidays.

It's the college visits for which you don't get advance assignments and make-up tests, not absences for religious holidays.

Yes, that was my point about assignments and make-up tests - they should be provided just like they would be for absences due to sickness or religious observances.
And I didn't say take away the federal holidays - I said students can make use of them for their college visits.
You need to read more carefully and stop conflating posts.

Are you even familiar with the college search process or did your kid have a very limited search? Because a lot of colleges do not even offer tours on federal holidays.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proposal:

Time the start of the school year so that the midpoint comes in late December. The first semester ends with a two-week winter break. Spring break comes midway through the second semester, not tied to Easter.

There's a grade prep day at the end of the first quarter and three days off for Thanksgiving. Schools do not get Federal holidays off. If you take your kids out of school for a vacation, teachers do not provide assignments in advance, and any missed tests go down as 0s.

Rosh Hashanna, Yom Kippur, Eid, and Diwali are all days off. Seniors can choose to be absent to visit colleges but teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance or make-up tests.

Well I'm getting you don't have a senior. Seniors can "choose" to take days off?! Ha! I guess they can "choose" not to go to college then right?

It sounds as though your kids haven't been through the search process yet? Some (not all) of mine have, both before and during COVID, and it used to be that absences for Admitted Student Days were excused, but that wasn't until March/April. I suspect some parents of seniors will complain that my proposed schedule doesn't provide enough days off for college visits, but I don't think the school year should be arranged for the convenience of one class. So letting students who can manage it take days off their senior year is my proposed compromise. (There are also spring breaks and summer vacations, so with judicious planning, there could be a fair number of visits)

No, I am familiar with the college search process, thanks. That's why I commended.
You didn't propose a compromise. Your solution is "teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance or make tests." How is that a compromise - getting a zero because you missed a day to go tour a college?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of the first 16 weeks of school until winter break in mid-December, 7 - SEVEN - less than half - are full 5-day weeks for students.

To illustrate the choppiness of the APS calendar, I'll add:
1 week is a 2-day week (before Thanksgiving break)
1 week is a 3-day week but not 3 consecutive days (M, W, Th)
1 week is a 4-day week with Wednesday off
1 week is an early release Wednesday


No wonder the second half of the year always seems so long: they actually have a total of 12 full weeks of school (for high school)

OK, so Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving. Everyone has a short week everywhere.

The week with Tuesday off is because of Election Day as many schools are also polling locations. Go vote!

The Wednesday off is for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

And APS likes having early releases on Wednesday - not an issue for those with kids in extended day as you pickup like normal at end of the day.

Thanks for the obvious information. I know WHY they have the days off - that's not the point. What's YOUR point?
Not everyone has kids in extended day; not everyone has kids in elementary school. It's not only about childcare. It's about routine and consistency and disruptions and about the main topic of this thread - school start and end dates.

Which of these dates would you like to have school open on?

For starters, the Friday before Labor Day weekend.
Eliminate early release entirely.
Move polling places out of the schools or figure out a way to manage the security and parking. Alternatively, "observe" Veterans Day on election day if it falls within the same week. Or, "observe" Veterans' Day on the closest Friday or Monday if it falls mid-week.
Shorten winter break - 5 days gained right there.
Person's suggestion about starting the year so that the first semester ends with winter break is a good idea. If winter break is only one week instead of two, the year could start a week later than it would with a two-week winter break.

and that's just a quick look at only the first part of the year.

Wow. I don’t think a single thing you wrote is rooted in reality.

Well, clearly not in yours.
I do hope you find something to do with your life besides sitting here trying to antagonize people. Your last comment erases any reason for doubt anyone might have that you're genuine.

You are suggesting that the county find an alternate site than schools for voting. You are suggesting that the district change the federal date that Veteran's Day is observed. You are suggesting they cut winter break down to 1 week. None of these things is every going to happen.

The only thing you could actually do, is eliminate the day off prior to Labor Day weekend - but you'd have to convince the folks in Richmond to do this, which also won't happen. Take away income from Virginia beaches? Not happening.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I so wish APS would really survey parents about the calendar. The survey they sent out last year barely had any differences. It’s just a joke. Almost everyone I speak to wants the following:

Eliminate religious holidays and only take off if there’s a secular reason
1 week of winter break between Xmas and NEw Years
1 week winter break in February
1 week of spring break same week every year (untethered to Easter!)
Start early end earlier (the AP exam issue is real)

You don't want them to eliminate religious holidays - you want them to eliminate non Christian holidays. If almost everyone you speak to wants this, then you clearly don't have a very diverse group of friends.

Not that poster, but Christmas is a federal holiday. There is never school on Easter, since it’s always on a Sunday. No other Christian holidays are off.

What other Christian holidays would you expect to have off?

Anonymous wrote:I’m all for respecting people’s various beliefs by giving kids an excused absence if they miss for a religious holiday. But if I lived in Turkey, for example, I would expect Muslim holidays off & school on Christmas. You have to be practical based on what a majority of the population celebrates.

No, you don't.

It's a bad example because schools are closed on Christmas in Turkey lol.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of the first 16 weeks of school until winter break in mid-December, 7 - SEVEN - less than half - are full 5-day weeks for students.

To illustrate the choppiness of the APS calendar, I'll add:
1 week is a 2-day week (before Thanksgiving break)
1 week is a 3-day week but not 3 consecutive days (M, W, Th)
1 week is a 4-day week with Wednesday off
1 week is an early release Wednesday


No wonder the second half of the year always seems so long: they actually have a total of 12 full weeks of school (for high school)

OK, so Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving. Everyone has a short week everywhere.

The week with Tuesday off is because of Election Day as many schools are also polling locations. Go vote!

The Wednesday off is for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

And APS likes having early releases on Wednesday - not an issue for those with kids in extended day as you pickup like normal at end of the day.

Thanks for the obvious information. I know WHY they have the days off - that's not the point. What's YOUR point?
Not everyone has kids in extended day; not everyone has kids in elementary school. It's not only about childcare. It's about routine and consistency and disruptions and about the main topic of this thread - school start and end dates.

Which of these dates would you like to have school open on?

For starters, the Friday before Labor Day weekend.
Eliminate early release entirely.
Move polling places out of the schools or figure out a way to manage the security and parking. Alternatively, "observe" Veterans Day on election day if it falls within the same week. Or, "observe" Veterans' Day on the closest Friday or Monday if it falls mid-week.
Shorten winter break - 5 days gained right there.
Person's suggestion about starting the year so that the first semester ends with winter break is a good idea. If winter break is only one week instead of two, the year could start a week later than it would with a two-week winter break.

and that's just a quick look at only the first part of the year.

Wow. I don’t think a single thing you wrote is rooted in reality.

Well, clearly not in yours.
I do hope you find something to do with your life besides sitting here trying to antagonize people. Your last comment erases any reason for doubt anyone might have that you're genuine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of the first 16 weeks of school until winter break in mid-December, 7 - SEVEN - less than half - are full 5-day weeks for students.

To illustrate the choppiness of the APS calendar, I'll add:
1 week is a 2-day week (before Thanksgiving break)
1 week is a 3-day week but not 3 consecutive days (M, W, Th)
1 week is a 4-day week with Wednesday off
1 week is an early release Wednesday


No wonder the second half of the year always seems so long: they actually have a total of 12 full weeks of school (for high school)

OK, so Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving. Everyone has a short week everywhere.

The week with Tuesday off is because of Election Day as many schools are also polling locations. Go vote!

The Wednesday off is for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

And APS likes having early releases on Wednesday - not an issue for those with kids in extended day as you pickup like normal at end of the day.

Thanks for the obvious information. I know WHY they have the days off - that's not the point. What's YOUR point?
Not everyone has kids in extended day; not everyone has kids in elementary school. It's not only about childcare. It's about routine and consistency and disruptions and about the main topic of this thread - school start and end dates.

Which of these dates would you like to have school open on?

For starters, the Friday before Labor Day weekend.
Eliminate early release entirely.
Move polling places out of the schools or figure out a way to manage the security and parking. Alternatively, "observe" Veterans Day on election day if it falls within the same week. Or, "observe" Veterans' Day on the closest Friday or Monday if it falls mid-week.
Shorten winter break - 5 days gained right there.
Person's suggestion about starting the year so that the first semester ends with winter break is a good idea. If winter break is only one week instead of two, the year could start a week later than it would with a two-week winter break.

and that's just a quick look at only the first part of the year.

Wow. I don’t think a single thing you wrote is rooted in reality.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proposal:

Time the start of the school year so that the midpoint comes in late December. The first semester ends with a two-week winter break. Spring break comes midway through the second semester, not tied to Easter.

There's a grade prep day at the end of the first quarter and three days off for Thanksgiving. Schools do not get Federal holidays off. If you take your kids out of school for a vacation, teachers do not provide assignments in advance, and any missed tests go down as 0s.

Rosh Hashanna, Yom Kippur, Eid, and Diwali are all days off. Seniors can choose to be absent to visit colleges but teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance or make-up tests.

Except for that last part about not providing assignments or make-up tests, this sounds like a good basic plan to me.

There will still likely need to be a few days off, like election day, as schools are often polling places.

I don't think anyone is suggesting there shouldn't be any days off.

There is always someone unhappy because there's a day off that's inconvenient for them and someone else who's unhappy because their kid needs a break. I guarantee that you could find someone complaining that they should just use other buildings for polling places and let the kids have school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of the first 16 weeks of school until winter break in mid-December, 7 - SEVEN - less than half - are full 5-day weeks for students.

To illustrate the choppiness of the APS calendar, I'll add:
1 week is a 2-day week (before Thanksgiving break)
1 week is a 3-day week but not 3 consecutive days (M, W, Th)
1 week is a 4-day week with Wednesday off
1 week is an early release Wednesday


No wonder the second half of the year always seems so long: they actually have a total of 12 full weeks of school (for high school)

OK, so Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving. Everyone has a short week everywhere.

The week with Tuesday off is because of Election Day as many schools are also polling locations. Go vote!

The Wednesday off is for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

And APS likes having early releases on Wednesday - not an issue for those with kids in extended day as you pickup like normal at end of the day.

Thanks for the obvious information. I know WHY they have the days off - that's not the point. What's YOUR point?
Not everyone has kids in extended day; not everyone has kids in elementary school. It's not only about childcare. It's about routine and consistency and disruptions and about the main topic of this thread - school start and end dates.

Which of these dates would you like to have school open on?

For starters, the Friday before Labor Day weekend.
Eliminate early release entirely.
Move polling places out of the schools or figure out a way to manage the security and parking. Alternatively, "observe" Veterans Day on election day if it falls within the same week. Or, "observe" Veterans' Day on the closest Friday or Monday if it falls mid-week.
Shorten winter break - 5 days gained right there.
Person's suggestion about starting the year so that the first semester ends with winter break is a good idea. If winter break is only one week instead of two, the year could start a week later than it would with a two-week winter break.

and that's just a quick look at only the first part of the year.

Most state colleges "observe" veteran's day by moving it to the day after Thanksgiving. I liked that solution quite a bit.

Since schools are going to be closed for election day and are going to have Friday after Thanksgiving off anyway, I'd prefer they "observe" Vet Day on Election Day. I guess it's the same result; but at least it's closer to the actual day that way; so it would make more sense. Fri after thanksgiving is really part of the thanksgiving holiday break - nobody will consider it Veterans Day.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proposal:

Time the start of the school year so that the midpoint comes in late December. The first semester ends with a two-week winter break. Spring break comes midway through the second semester, not tied to Easter.

There's a grade prep day at the end of the first quarter and three days off for Thanksgiving. Schools do not get Federal holidays off. If you take your kids out of school for a vacation, teachers do not provide assignments in advance, and any missed tests go down as 0s.

Rosh Hashanna, Yom Kippur, Eid, and Diwali are all days off. Seniors can choose to be absent to visit colleges but teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance or make-up tests.

Except for that last part about not providing assignments or make-up tests, this sounds like a good basic plan to me.

There will still likely need to be a few days off, like election day, as schools are often polling places.

I don't think anyone is suggesting there shouldn't be any days off.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Out of the first 16 weeks of school until winter break in mid-December, 7 - SEVEN - less than half - are full 5-day weeks for students.

To illustrate the choppiness of the APS calendar, I'll add:
1 week is a 2-day week (before Thanksgiving break)
1 week is a 3-day week but not 3 consecutive days (M, W, Th)
1 week is a 4-day week with Wednesday off
1 week is an early release Wednesday


No wonder the second half of the year always seems so long: they actually have a total of 12 full weeks of school (for high school)

OK, so Thanksgiving is Thanksgiving. Everyone has a short week everywhere.

The week with Tuesday off is because of Election Day as many schools are also polling locations. Go vote!

The Wednesday off is for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

And APS likes having early releases on Wednesday - not an issue for those with kids in extended day as you pickup like normal at end of the day.

Thanks for the obvious information. I know WHY they have the days off - that's not the point. What's YOUR point?
Not everyone has kids in extended day; not everyone has kids in elementary school. It's not only about childcare. It's about routine and consistency and disruptions and about the main topic of this thread - school start and end dates.

Which of these dates would you like to have school open on?

For starters, the Friday before Labor Day weekend.
Eliminate early release entirely.
Move polling places out of the schools or figure out a way to manage the security and parking. Alternatively, "observe" Veterans Day on election day if it falls within the same week. Or, "observe" Veterans' Day on the closest Friday or Monday if it falls mid-week.
Shorten winter break - 5 days gained right there.
Person's suggestion about starting the year so that the first semester ends with winter break is a good idea. If winter break is only one week instead of two, the year could start a week later than it would with a two-week winter break.

and that's just a quick look at only the first part of the year.

Most state colleges "observe" veteran's day by moving it to the day after Thanksgiving. I liked that solution quite a bit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Proposal:

Time the start of the school year so that the midpoint comes in late December. The first semester ends with a two-week winter break. Spring break comes midway through the second semester, not tied to Easter.

There's a grade prep day at the end of the first quarter and three days off for Thanksgiving. Schools do not get Federal holidays off. If you take your kids out of school for a vacation, teachers do not provide assignments in advance, and any missed tests go down as 0s.

Rosh Hashanna, Yom Kippur, Eid, and Diwali are all days off. Seniors can choose to be absent to visit colleges but teachers are not required to provide assignments in advance or make-up tests.

Well I'm getting you don't have a senior. Seniors can "choose" to take days off?! Ha! I guess they can "choose" not to go to college then right?

It sounds as though your kids haven't been through the search process yet? Some (not all) of mine have, both before and during COVID, and it used to be that absences for Admitted Student Days were excused, but that wasn't until March/April. I suspect some parents of seniors will complain that my proposed schedule doesn't provide enough days off for college visits, but I don't think the school year should be arranged for the convenience of one class. So letting students who can manage it take days off their senior year is my proposed compromise. (There are also spring breaks and summer vacations, so with judicious planning, there could be a fair number of visits)

DP here. Personally, I think a couple of days for college visits it more than adequate and generous. There are other long breaks and lots of long weekends seniors can visit schools during. Just as the whole school shouldn't be scheduled around one class, one class shouldn't be scheduled around some of its students -- not all students even plan to go to college, while some only consider local options or a limited number of schools and don't need to make countless college visits, etc. But I disagree that students shouldn't be able to get assignments or make-up tests for a few college visits or for their religious holiday observances. Those should have the same considerations given for absences caused by illness. It's not like they're just playing hooky.

There aren't "lots of long weekends" if there's school during federal holidays.

It's the college visits for which you don't get advance assignments and make-up tests, not absences for religious holidays.

Yes, that was my point about assignments and make-up tests - they should be provided just like they would be for absences due to sickness or religious observances.
And I didn't say take away the federal holidays - I said students can make use of them for their college visits.
You need to read more carefully and stop conflating posts.