Anonymous
Post 11/17/2015 15:00     Subject: DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
"EXACTLY. 20 extra days is 4 weeks. DCPS has a 9 week summer break, 2 weeks in December, and a week in April. 5 weeks in the summer is not a sufficient break (with no other break time)."

+ million. I have an upper elementary school kid and the 9 week summer break doesn't seem like enough. Can't image what it would be like to cut that in half just as he's required to do more intensive work.
Anonymous
Post 11/17/2015 14:24     Subject: DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
Anonymous wrote:I'm of the belief that they should cut instructional time...let kids have recess and 45 minutes for lunch, even in high school


I totally agree except that it should be an hour not 45 minutes
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 22:05     Subject: Re:DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
Maybe they can add an additional ANET testing session with the extended time. More worksheets, and then test again.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 20:33     Subject: DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
I'm of the belief that they should cut instructional time...let kids have recess and 45 minutes for lunch, even in high school
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 20:23     Subject: DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
I'm pretty sure that this is the major sticking point in contract negotiations with the teachers union. I don't think the district *can* extend the school year without it being written into the contract. I'm no fan of the WTU, but I'm really hoping that they pull a rabbit out of the hat on this one.

Meanwhile, I'm applying for certification in Maryland.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 20:14     Subject: Re:DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
Anonymous wrote:My school has extended day and some of the better teachers seemed to be burning out. If they last through this school year, I doubt they'll come back next year.


+100
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:44     Subject: DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
Good to know now. I expect applications out will be on the rise. Now teachers will have double the recommendations to write.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:43     Subject: DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
So will they also extend the number of days of school you can miss? We'll need more.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:29     Subject: Re:DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
My school has extended day and some of the better teachers seemed to be burning out. If they last through this school year, I doubt they'll come back next year.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:17     Subject: Re:DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:20 days or 4 weeks still doesn't seem like a lot to me. There is still an entire month off during the summer! Maybe I'm in the minority and totally respect that other people have different opinions, but I would rather have my child get more breaks throughout the day and a longer lunch, rather than have tons of time off at the end. I know when I was a kid, after the first few weeks, the summer break became unbearably long.


Nothing I have seen from Kaya Henderson's interviews where she's talked about wanting to extend the school year suggest that the 20 days/4 weeks would come with more breaks and longer lunch.



True, but that is why there is a questionnaire and that is what I am asking for.


Got it. I think it's a done deal and already decided.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:14     Subject: DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
Anonymous wrote:I spoke with someone who was at the recent LSAT budget meetings. She said DCPS pulled their usual thing which was to group clusters of schools, and not allow conversation/discussion across groups, so it was difficult to tell how the majority felt.

This person also told me she felt it was a done deal (to which I still respond - who is going to pay for this). Thinks the idea is 4 longer days, and half day Wednesdays, like many charters do.


If so, this is nightmare.
Anonymous
Post 11/16/2015 15:02     Subject: Re:DCPS Survey - Increase Instructional Time
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:20 days or 4 weeks still doesn't seem like a lot to me. There is still an entire month off during the summer! Maybe I'm in the minority and totally respect that other people have different opinions, but I would rather have my child get more breaks throughout the day and a longer lunch, rather than have tons of time off at the end. I know when I was a kid, after the first few weeks, the summer break became unbearably long.


Nothing I have seen from Kaya Henderson's interviews where she's talked about wanting to extend the school year suggest that the 20 days/4 weeks would come with more breaks and longer lunch.



True, but that is why there is a questionnaire and that is what I am asking for.