Anonymous wrote:I would hate for school to start before Labor Day.
You also have to remember that teachers return to school at least a week before school opens. Making school start before Labor day also cuts their summer very short. I feel bad for public school teachers.

Summer is a minimum of 10 weeks long. Longer in some areas. What else is there to do that you can't get done in that amount of time? I think summer should actually be shorter (less academic loss and less need for childcare while still allowing for camp/sports/travel for those wanting that) with more breaks throughout the year (where students could get "brain breaks" and adults could take advantage of cheaper travel)

No way! Absolutely do not want my kids to start school before Labor Day.

I would hate for school to start before Labor Day.
You also have to remember that teachers return to school at least a week before school opens. Making school start before Labor day also cuts their summer very short. I feel bad for public school teachers.

Your a loser! More school, no snow days. Everyone hates you.

Anonymous wrote:I passionately disagree op. I hope our independent school doesn't succumb to this rhetoric, which is just the front for the irritated Two Working Parent lobby.

Don't ruin a genteel good thing because you're peeved that you have to pay for more camps.

In reading the multiple threads on this topic in the VA Public Schools Forum, since DC and MD Public Schools already begin before Labor Day, I think the general argument is not made for reasons of babysitting, as you appear to think.

It appears, actually, to be an argument primarily forwarded and motivated by the parents (both working and SAH) of high school students. And those students are already perfectly capable of staying home by themselves, without the need of a babysitter or day camp. (The parents of elementary and middle school students, by contrast, seem to wholeheartedly agree with you on the vacation enjoyment of those late days of August and early September spent on a beach.)

The general consensus of the parent of high school students, however, seems to be that whether or not your school offers an AP curriculum, many students are effectively preparing to take a number of APs, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, SAT, and IBs at years end. Many of those exams have national fixed test dates in late mid-to-late May and early June. Having more teaching and learning days in the driveable weather of mid-August, allows both teachers and students to cover more of any given curriculum before the end-of-year standardized exams, which are still after all important for college admissions. Having those snow days made up for in mid-to-late June does not help with those exams.

One poster has suggested that lower and middle schools continue to begin after Labor Day, since parents of younger students such as yourself, still wish to enjoy "a genteel good thing" in those lounging days of late summer. And that upper schools begin before Labor Day to benefit those students at a time when they most need a sustained and strong academic push. Many high school students who play a fall sport or participate in a fall extracurricular are back before Labor Day in any case for practices, rehearsals, and meetings. I can think of many private schools in other parts of the country which either already beggin before Labor Day, or else implement the split start suggested above.

Anonymous wrote:I hope you didn't spend all that time composing your post and then not send it to your school. Nobody here can do anything about your school's start date. Spend your time gathering like-minded parents at your own school and then petition the Head.

I hope to god that OP's kids don't go to school with mine. this ploy might actually work with HoS/board and their comically 'inclusive' efforts of late.

I hope you didn't spend all that time composing your post and then not send it to your school. Nobody here can do anything about your school's start date. Spend your time gathering like-minded parents at your own school and then petition the Head.