Anonymous wrote:I would prefer to give up that professional day at the end of March and memorial day, instead of going into a new week. In March and May, real learning is still going on.

You do realize that MCPS calendars are approved by the BoE a year ahead of time. The 14-15 calendar is already available on the MCPS site.

If people aren't happy with the snow day makeup dates, they should testify before the BoE or at least write them instead of pontificating here.

Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING will change for this year when it comes to potential makeup days. MCPS will be closed both for the Professional Day the end of March and for Memorial Day. Ain't changing!

It appears that schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday with eight inches (or more) expected starting Sunday night.

Does it really matter? You do realize they complete final assessments and stop teaching new material in May, right? The final weeks of school are meaningless. Send your kid to camp or go on vacation...doesn't matter.

Agree with the above. Also, I assume there would legally need to be a certain percentage of students in school for a make up day to "count," so it seems very unrealistic that June 16 or 17 would be used as make up days given existing camp and vacation plans.

I would prefer to give up that professional day at the end of March and memorial day, instead of going into a new week. In March and May, real learning is still going on.

Anonymous wrote:Please, teachers, chime in with how much learning goes on on the last day of school 1/2 day. I am quite committed to getting my kids to school but if I had a conflict for that last 1/2 day, I would not think twice.

Going over the speed limit violates the law too..but going 27 instead of 25 is totally different then going 90 instead of 55. Missing a week of school mid year to avoid lines at Disney is totally different then missing the last 1/2 day.

Teacher here: the last days (at least in elementary) are fun. The kids brains check out as soon as the pools open Memorial Day weekend!! So everyone can demand an extended school year all they want, the kids are not available for instruction at that point. We feel like glorified babysitters anyway!!

In general the Superintendent waits until the threat of chronic snow days is over before even applying for the waiver. I have never heard of a waiver being denied so I'd plan (for now) on the last day for kids being June 13.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We pay for camp by the week, so if they do go till the 17th, I'm not going to sign DC up for camp for that week, will instead either take off or send him to drop in care at day care. On the otherhand, if they end on the 12/13, I do want to get him out of day care and into camp

I'm not going to skip school to attend camp.

Guess we just wait and see when they know about a waiver & i'll hope that the camp doesn't fill in the meantime

I suspect that most camps in MoCo are aware of the snow situation and will prorate for kids in school - or change their start dates.

If you're doing a camp outside MoCo, then don't expect that flexibility.

Privates get out a lot earlier. I doubt they will offer money back.

Please, teachers, chime in with how much learning goes on on the last day of school 1/2 day. I am quite committed to getting my kids to school but if I had a conflict for that last 1/2 day, I would not think twice.

Going over the speed limit violates the law too..but going 27 instead of 25 is totally different then going 90 instead of 55. Missing a week of school mid year to avoid lines at Disney is totally different then missing the last 1/2 day.

By that logic, it would be permissible to pull kids out of school anytime the parent thinks they are not doing anything substantial. Not only is that irresponsible it probably violates the law since school attendance is mandatory.

Middle and High school kids only have exam makeups... The HS kids don't even go. MS kids mostly watch movies. My ES kids report doing things like cleaning their desks with shaving cream. I don't think there is anything irresponsible about choosing to do something else.

I still think local private camps will change their start date based on the MCPS schedule. Especially if they are using school locations for before/after care or the camp itself.

For those who have already paid for camp and assuming it is a local camp, that money is already spent so now the question is whether you will choose camp or school. As a parent, it seems entirely irresponsible to choose camp, particularly since you could send them to camp Wed. to Fri after school lets out. If you are sending your child to sleepaway camp, that is just kind of a problem though I suspect any camp would be willing to make arrangements for your child to arrive later so they can attend school.

In 2009-2010 (the last time we were in this situation), the announcement from MCPS about the last day of school came out around mid to late March.

Anonymous wrote:Here is what MCPS says:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/press/index.aspx?page=showrelease&id=3485

Right now, students are going to June 17. I don't think anyone knows when it will end if we get a waiver. The last two days were called during a state of emergency, which may make it easier to get a waiver for those two days. But who knows.

I agree with PP, send them to camp, as long as the camp is up and running. I don't know if camps will push back their start dates. Some might have to if they are using school facilities.

I had no heard they were in school until June 17th! My DC is starting camp on June 16th also. We have already paid and he's going. No question about it. I have to believe MCPS will get a waiver. Hope so anyway.