Anonymous
Post 01/05/2014 23:06     Subject: bell times
I'm confused by the commenters saying that MCPS intends to use the time for specials or enrichment--I read the report and it said it would be used for core curriculum. My kids are already exhausted. They already don't get home until almost 4 because they have to wait half an hour for the bus (sitting quietly in a hallway after 5 hours of sitting quietly at desks). Unless they using this time for lunch, recess or PE, I think it's a bad idea. I also don't understand the comment that this is a political move for Starr--what's the politics here?
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2013 20:43     Subject: bell times
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:They are talking about adding foreign language or extra music, gym, and art. This could actually be pretty great, if they do it well.


I'd rather have my children home with me instead of spending an extra period at school.

We're talking about kids who are 5 to 11. Do they really need to turn school into a job for them?


Right, good for you but some of us have to work and the kids go to daycare anyway.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2013 20:37     Subject: bell times
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The bell times are ridiculous.

Kids will be practicing sports into the night. And that extra hour in the morning means they'll be up an extra hour at night.

Even though this push toward changing the bell schedule was started by an independent group, this is nothing but a political move on Starr's part.


Why would they be up half the night if they're getting out at 3:30 vs. 2:30? You're being so alarmist. Plus, I'm sick of varsity sports schedules always trumping academics. The tail is wagging the dog.


Sports will always run schools as long as you have parents pushing them. Furthermore, there are kids who NEED to work. This fact is often overlooked on these boards b/c DCUMers seem to ignore a certain segment of our population.

The change is worse for them b/c they're earning money for their families.

So yes, once study hall is over, practice begins. They'll be practicing until 6 or 7 - and then coming home to eat, shower and do HW. In many cases, HW can take hours.

So an hour does make a difference.

If you popped out of your bubble, you'd realize that.


Pop out of your bubble? Actually, HS would end at 3 pm so there should be plenty of time for work or practice. When I was in HS it was possible to arrange a schedule and leave early for work.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2013 20:15     Subject: bell times
Anonymous wrote:They are talking about adding foreign language or extra music, gym, and art. This could actually be pretty great, if they do it well.


I'd rather have my children home with me instead of spending an extra period at school.

We're talking about kids who are 5 to 11. Do they really need to turn school into a job for them?
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2013 20:13     Subject: bell times
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The bell times are ridiculous.

Kids will be practicing sports into the night. And that extra hour in the morning means they'll be up an extra hour at night.

Even though this push toward changing the bell schedule was started by an independent group, this is nothing but a political move on Starr's part.


Why would they be up half the night if they're getting out at 3:30 vs. 2:30? You're being so alarmist. Plus, I'm sick of varsity sports schedules always trumping academics. The tail is wagging the dog.


Sports will always run schools as long as you have parents pushing them. Furthermore, there are kids who NEED to work. This fact is often overlooked on these boards b/c DCUMers seem to ignore a certain segment of our population.

The change is worse for them b/c they're earning money for their families.

So yes, once study hall is over, practice begins. They'll be practicing until 6 or 7 - and then coming home to eat, shower and do HW. In many cases, HW can take hours.

So an hour does make a difference.

If you popped out of your bubble, you'd realize that.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2013 19:19     Subject: bell times
They are talking about adding foreign language or extra music, gym, and art. This could actually be pretty great, if they do it well.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2013 17:33     Subject: bell times
Anonymous wrote:The bell times are ridiculous.

Kids will be practicing sports into the night. And that extra hour in the morning means they'll be up an extra hour at night.

Even though this push toward changing the bell schedule was started by an independent group, this is nothing but a political move on Starr's part.


Why would they be up half the night if they're getting out at 3:30 vs. 2:30? You're being so alarmist. Plus, I'm sick of varsity sports schedules always trumping academics. The tail is wagging the dog.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2013 16:23     Subject: bell times
The bell times are ridiculous.

Kids will be practicing sports into the night. And that extra hour in the morning means they'll be up an extra hour at night.

Even though this push toward changing the bell schedule was started by an independent group, this is nothing but a political move on Starr's part.
Anonymous
Post 12/29/2013 16:19     Subject: bell times
Is there a way to comment on bell times other than by attending one of the public forums?
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2013 15:43     Subject: bell times
Anonymous wrote:Just because other counties do it doesn't mean that it's good for everyone. As a mother of a kindergarten student who is downright exhausted at 3:30 pickup, I can't imagine a longer day. If it happens, I really do hope they extend recess. There is tons of research that says that kids need more playtime, not less. I believe they would be learning more during learning time if they were given more breaks.


I think it's legitimate to expect that kindergarten would be given a different schedule than older elem students. However, I don't like the idea of needs of K level kids driving the schedule for kids who are 5 years older. Hopefully MCPS can figure something out, like an additional recess for K.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2013 15:38     Subject: bell times
My dd was in private k last year. Her day was 8:15-3. They had 2 recesses plus lunch. By Friday she was exhausted. She did not want to go to aftercare on Fridays. Instead she asked if she could come home and nap. Luckily I have a supportive work environment that let me work from home on Friday afternoons.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2013 15:32     Subject: bell times
Just because other counties do it doesn't mean that it's good for everyone. As a mother of a kindergarten student who is downright exhausted at 3:30 pickup, I can't imagine a longer day. If it happens, I really do hope they extend recess. There is tons of research that says that kids need more playtime, not less. I believe they would be learning more during learning time if they were given more breaks.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2013 15:27     Subject: Re:bell times
Baltimore City: 6 h 40 m
Baltimore County: 6 h 30 m
St. Mary's County: 7 h
PG County: 6 h 10 m
Anne Arundel: 6 h 25 m

I am in favor of extending the elem school day in MCPS and changing the bell times. I hope that concern about sports teams schedules won't drive the decision.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2013 15:10     Subject: Re:bell times
Loudoun County elementaries have a 6 hour 45 minute day, although they do not have full day kindergarten.
Anonymous
Post 12/28/2013 15:05     Subject: Re:bell times
Here's a report summary-

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/info/belltimesworkgroup/Bell%20Times%20Work%20Group%20Introduction%20Approved%20V3.ppsx

Howard county elementary schools have a 6 hour and 30 minute day vs. 6 hours and 15 minutes in MCPS. Reference their website at hcpss.org. Right now my kids school is under construction so they have a long commute to a holding school and have only a 6 hour day. I think it's too short but nothing to be done about it.