Anonymous wrote:As a teacher, I wasn't thrilled with the pre-labor day start idea. But this year went SO smoothly! We got all the "getting to know you", procedural stuff out of the way the first week, and were able to hit intensive learning week 2. The 3 day weekend was actually enjoyable, instead of me being a bag of nerves. I really liked the results. I hope it continues.

Anonymous wrote:I voted for the half day teacher works days b/c at least the children get half day of school, plus they only have to be in SACC for half the day vs. a full day. Also it doesn't make sense to have two days off in November during same week at Veterans Day. Make Veteran's Day a teacher work day since a lot of parents are off on Veteran's Day.

Anonymous wrote:Please let FCPS change that damn 2-week winter break! I responded for a shorter winter break and, for teacher planning, 3 full days rather than 6 half days. How productive are those half days for teachers and students? Plus, I'd rather adjust my work schedule for three days rather than six to accommodate the planning days. Also responded to make President's Day a full school day- because that's right around the time we get winter weather that closes FCPS, and they seem to be out of school sporadically as a result.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree and said so in my survey. I like the after Labor Day start and one week later in June end.

It may depend on what age your kids are.

I have little kids and teens.

Starting in August and getting out in early June is the best option for both age groups.

Little kids are bored by the end of August and eager to get back to school and their friends.

They shut down soon after the SOLs and by June all they want is to get out of school. There is very little productive learning happening in elementary schools in June. It essentially becomes babysitting time for 3 weeks.

This unfortunately is the low-quality education offered by FCPS. All the need to do is shift the SOL schedule.

Unfortunately, thanks to the stupid retakes, they can't. We are doing remediation and retakes until June 12th this year, and school is out on the 15th.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree and said so in my survey. I like the after Labor Day start and one week later in June end.

It may depend on what age your kids are.

I have little kids and teens.

Starting in August and getting out in early June is the best option for both age groups.

Little kids are bored by the end of August and eager to get back to school and their friends.

They shut down soon after the SOLs and by June all they want is to get out of school. There is very little productive learning happening in elementary schools in June. It essentially becomes babysitting time for 3 weeks.

This unfortunately is the low-quality education offered by FCPS. All the need to do is shift the SOL schedule.

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher, I wasn't thrilled with the pre-labor day start idea. But this year went SO smoothly! We got all the "getting to know you", procedural stuff out of the way the first week, and were able to hit intensive learning week 2. The 3 day weekend was actually enjoyable, instead of me being a bag of nerves. I really liked the results. I hope it continues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree and said so in my survey. I like the after Labor Day start and one week later in June end.

It may depend on what age your kids are.

I have little kids and teens.

Starting in August and getting out in early June is the best option for both age groups.

Little kids are bored by the end of August and eager to get back to school and their friends.

They shut down soon after the SOLs and by June all they want is to get out of school. There is very little productive learning happening in elementary schools in June. It essentially becomes babysitting time for 3 weeks.

Anonymous wrote:FCPS does a lot just-for-show

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree and said so in my survey. I like the after Labor Day start and one week later in June end.

It may depend on what age your kids are.

I have little kids and teens.

Starting in August and getting out in early June is the best option for both age groups.

Little kids are bored by the end of August and eager to get back to school and their friends.

They shut down soon after the SOLs and by June all they want is to get out of school. There is very little productive learning happening in elementary schools in June. It essentially becomes babysitting time for 3 weeks.

The SOLs are a red herring. When they moved the school start date a week earlier this year, they moved the SOL dates up a week too. SOL timing is not linked to start date timing. I believe this is a serious misconception that should be corrected.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the idea of a set spring break, say the last week in March every year. Would be great some years to not pay peak travel prices!

I actually voted for that option, too. I hadn’t considered it before the survey, but when I saw it, I thought “that sounds better!”

I live in Loudoun. Our school board discussed this and voted against it because it would be a burden on teachers/staff who live in Loudoun but work in FCPS or vice versa. Maybe we could all agree to a set week!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I disagree and said so in my survey. I like the after Labor Day start and one week later in June end.

It may depend on what age your kids are.

I have little kids and teens.

Starting in August and getting out in early June is the best option for both age groups.

Little kids are bored by the end of August and eager to get back to school and their friends.

They shut down soon after the SOLs and by June all they want is to get out of school. There is very little productive learning happening in elementary schools in June. It essentially becomes babysitting time for 3 weeks.