Anonymous wrote:I don’t really care that much but it seems like a funny time to care. The half day Monday is silly. Using extra makeup days to make it a 2 (or 3, if we get there) day week makes more sense.

Anonymous wrote:"Extending the school year 3 days beyond the previously scheduled closing date"

Well, the previously scheduled closing date was June 13. It is now June 16. Technically, that is 3 days beyond. Yes, 2 of the days are Saturday/Sunday. But the law doesn't say "3 school days."

Obviously that doesn't seem to be the intent of the regulation. But the hairs are there for the splitting, if they want to try to argue that, I suppose.

Anonymous wrote:"Extending the school year 3 days beyond the previously scheduled closing date"

Well, the previously scheduled closing date was June 13. It is now June 16. Technically, that is 3 days beyond. Yes, 2 of the days are Saturday/Sunday. But the law doesn't say "3 school days."

Obviously that doesn't seem to be the intent of the regulation. But the hairs are there for the splitting, if they want to try to argue that, I suppose.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how MCPS can get a waiver. They didn't use the dates they identified as make-up days. And they are only extending the school year by 1 day, not 3. They are supposed to do both -- use all available days and extend the school year by 3 days. See COMAR included in this document: https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2024/0123/Virtual-Education-for-Severe-Weather-Conditions-2024-2025-School-Year.pdf

Application for Waiver.
(1) In the required written application for waiver of school days, it shall be demonstrated that:
(a) The local school system developed a calendar which included days to be used to make up days lost. Depending upon past experience, this number could range from 3 to 10 days throughout the State. The local school system calendar shall have identified those potential make-up days which could have been used as student days when calendar modification becomes necessary; that is, make-up days, student vacation days, etc.
(b) The local school system has modified its calendar by scheduling school on the make-up days provided in the original calendar and by extending the school year 3 days beyond the previously scheduled closing date.
(2) In considering this application, the State Board of Education may waive:
(a) The final day needed to complete the 180-day schedule if that day falls on a Monday;
(b) Additional days beyond those specified in §D(1)(b) of this regulation that would have to be added to the calendar to complete a 180-day schedule.

I would love to see what Taylor's letter to the state superintendent said.

I'm sure it said "no learning happens at school anyway on those days so why bother".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how MCPS can get a waiver. They didn't use the dates they identified as make-up days. And they are only extending the school year by 1 day, not 3. They are supposed to do both -- use all available days and extend the school year by 3 days. See COMAR included in this document: https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2024/0123/Virtual-Education-for-Severe-Weather-Conditions-2024-2025-School-Year.pdf

Application for Waiver.
(1) In the required written application for waiver of school days, it shall be demonstrated that:
(a) The local school system developed a calendar which included days to be used to make up days lost. Depending upon past experience, this number could range from 3 to 10 days throughout the State. The local school system calendar shall have identified those potential make-up days which could have been used as student days when calendar modification becomes necessary; that is, make-up days, student vacation days, etc.
(b) The local school system has modified its calendar by scheduling school on the make-up days provided in the original calendar and by extending the school year 3 days beyond the previously scheduled closing date.
(2) In considering this application, the State Board of Education may waive:
(a) The final day needed to complete the 180-day schedule if that day falls on a Monday;
(b) Additional days beyond those specified in §D(1)(b) of this regulation that would have to be added to the calendar to complete a 180-day schedule.

I would love to see what Taylor's letter to the state superintendent said.

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how MCPS can get a waiver. They didn't use the dates they identified as make-up days. And they are only extending the school year by 1 day, not 3. They are supposed to do both -- use all available days and extend the school year by 3 days. See COMAR included in this document: https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2024/0123/Virtual-Education-for-Severe-Weather-Conditions-2024-2025-School-Year.pdf

Application for Waiver.
(1) In the required written application for waiver of school days, it shall be demonstrated that:
(a) The local school system developed a calendar which included days to be used to make up days lost. Depending upon past experience, this number could range from 3 to 10 days throughout the State. The local school system calendar shall have identified those potential make-up days which could have been used as student days when calendar modification becomes necessary; that is, make-up days, student vacation days, etc.
(b) The local school system has modified its calendar by scheduling school on the make-up days provided in the original calendar and by extending the school year 3 days beyond the previously scheduled closing date.
(2) In considering this application, the State Board of Education may waive:
(a) The final day needed to complete the 180-day schedule if that day falls on a Monday;
(b) Additional days beyond those specified in §D(1)(b) of this regulation that would have to be added to the calendar to complete a 180-day schedule.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I've never quite understood why parents get all antsy about this. You can pull your kid out of school, you know. It's not like any learning is happening in the last days of school, barring a few advanced high school classes. I know, my oldest already graduated and my youngest is in 9th grade.

In my case, my 5th grader is adamant about not missing the last day of school because of the traditional last-day activities for graduating students.

But also dipping partially into a new week throws off a lot of plans people (and providers) were making for summer camps.

Yes I’ve wondered about this when I have seen the predictions about most students missing the day. (I’m sure a lot don’t come, but most?) I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the last day as a kid either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I've never quite understood why parents get all antsy about this. You can pull your kid out of school, you know. It's not like any learning is happening in the last days of school, barring a few advanced high school classes. I know, my oldest already graduated and my youngest is in 9th grade.

In my case, my 5th grader is adamant about not missing the last day of school because of the traditional last-day activities for graduating students.

But also dipping partially into a new week throws off a lot of plans people (and providers) were making for summer camps.