We have lived all over the country and it seems like they do this in every state that regularly has snow days.

It is much easier to give people the bonus of a few more days of summer vacation and family time than to tell them they have to shorten an already ridiculously late starting summer vacation and mess with planned vacations and time home with the kids.

Our house was celebrating when we found out the kids were getting out a few days early.

Somehow going to school past the 15th of June seems wrong. I wish they started mid August like most states.

Let's be honest: They're "not doing anything" as soon as the SOLs end. Well, there are assemblies and field days and stuff, but also puzzle sheets, movies, etc. --sigh--

For those who think that those last couple of days off are good because "the students don't do anything anyway" don't kid yourselves. Now they'll just "not be doing anything anyway" two days earlier. Honestly, I don't care one way or the other, but that's not a good argument. You really need to find another one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are three extra days worked into the school year calendar to allow for snow days. When we don't need them for snow we "get them back" at the end of the year. It's always been done this way. A few years ago, they used two extra days to make the first weekend of June a four day weekend, which was kind of weird. Usually, people prefer just having the school year shortened.

That's the worst reason imaginable to do something.

Would it be a better idea to not schedule the extra days and then have to add to the school year each June?


"It's always been done this way" in this case is not a reason, it is simply an explanation of how schools do their calendar planning, that's all. It is generally easier in our climate to plan in advance for snow days than to wait and see what happens and then add extra school days at the end of the year.

The problem is not working extra days into the calendar, it's "getting them back" if there aren't snow days. The days are worked in because there are a minimum number of days public schools have to have class. The theory here appears to be that anything more than the minimum is unacceptable. Imagine if that was your attitude at work - not exactly a recipe for a high achiever, is it?

No, these are three extra days above the minimum. And I'd rather have my kids with me than at school- yes, I'm willing to put in more than the "minimum" time with my kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are three extra days worked into the school year calendar to allow for snow days. When we don't need them for snow we "get them back" at the end of the year. It's always been done this way. A few years ago, they used two extra days to make the first weekend of June a four day weekend, which was kind of weird. Usually, people prefer just having the school year shortened.

That's the worst reason imaginable to do something.

Would it be a better idea to not schedule the extra days and then have to add to the school year each June?


"It's always been done this way" in this case is not a reason, it is simply an explanation of how schools do their calendar planning, that's all. It is generally easier in our climate to plan in advance for snow days than to wait and see what happens and then add extra school days at the end of the year.

The problem is not working extra days into the calendar, it's "getting them back" if there aren't snow days. The days are worked in because there are a minimum number of days public schools have to have class. The theory here appears to be that anything more than the minimum is unacceptable. Imagine if that was your attitude at work - not exactly a recipe for a high achiever, is it?

Sounds to me parents just don't want to deal with their children for two extra days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers and staff are paid on a specific number of days worked. The school calendar has a set number (say 3) of snow days worked into the schedule. The school would have to pay the teachers and staff extra to work those days. That is not in the budget. So the school adjusts the schedule. Which part is confusing?

This is not true. I am a teacher in FCPS and we will still be expected to come in both Monday and Tuesday as Teacher Workdays. So, our year will still end at the same time. Only the students will get out early.

Wait, so you are having 2 additional teacher work days, more than planned? Because there are always days at the end of the year for teachers. Are you then working more days than your contract? I would imagine the teacher workdays would have been in place in any case, so you're not actually impacted.

Anonymous wrote:I hope it passes. I wish the kids got out at the beginning of June!

I agree!!

I don't think closing a couple days early equates the county not caring about education. You said yourself they are not doing much those days anyway. Heck, they really don't do a whole lot the entire month of June after May testings.

Keeping the schools open just for end of year parties and doing filler "fluff" activities with the kids seems to more greatly imply not putting education first.

OP, if your upset because it messes up your work schedule, than just be honest about it. It's an understandable reason to be upset and no on should fault you for it. But it has nothing to do with not respecting the institution of education.

I hope it passes. I wish the kids got out at the beginning of June!

Anonymous wrote:When the children were scheduled to finish on Tuesday, were teachers also finished Tuesday, or were there cleanup days after? I think it makes much more sense to end on a Friday. Let the teachers spend the last two days in peace. I would rather have the week to make some travel plans, perhaps snag a cheaper vacation deal seeing that it is still in June..

As a teacher, I agree. At our school (high school), those last days are half days and the very last day, the kids get out at 9:30 which always seems like such a waste to me! Right now, we are scheduled to have a work day on that Wednesday the 20th, but at my school at least, if we finish on Tuesday when the kids are done and get everything turned in, we can skip coming in that Wednesday. I don't know if that will be the same if they shorten the days and we end on Friday - I would imagine we will still have to come in Monday and Tuesday which is fine with me.

Agreed. Hopefully the teachers can use the time better without the children there. Seems like there should be some time for them at the end of the year to reflect and clean up.

When the children were scheduled to finish on Tuesday, were teachers also finished Tuesday, or were there cleanup days after? I think it makes much more sense to end on a Friday. Let the teachers spend the last two days in peace. I would rather have the week to make some travel plans, perhaps snag a cheaper vacation deal seeing that it is still in June..