Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Exec Order says school has to end by June 15. Last spring, the legislature passed a law that allows the school year to extend beyond that if additional days are needed because of inclement weather (so, snow make-up days can go beyond June 15, but the regular calendar can't).

MCPS did not adjust the previously approved 2018-19 calendar (this year's) after the legislation passed, which is why we aren't currently adding on days after June 15. Perhaps this is because they didn't want to change it after the lengthy approval process. Other counties did adjust their calendars after the legislation passed, which is why some of them are going beyond June 15 this year.

Next year's MCPS calendar (2019-20) actually does have makeup days listed after June 15, going out to June 22, but the planned last day of school is scheduled for June 15: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/calendar/0218.19ct_2019-20_SchoolYearCalendar_ADOPTED.pdf

If they had, DCUM would have complained: we've made plans, they need to stick with the calendar they already approved!

But since they didn't, DCUM is complaining: why didn't they adjust the calendar?!

They had time to adjust it before this school year began, just chose not to, although the calendar was published it was still early enough that most hadn't made plans or could still change plans. Personally I feel it was politically motivated and they wanted to have the least favorable calendar possible and place blame on Hogan, hoping it would influence people's votes in November.

I agree. The legislation passed last Spring allowing them to extend without a waiver. Frederick and Howard took advantage of that. MoCo could have too.. but didn't.

Does anyone know why they didn't?

One theory is it was to make Hogan look bad, since MCPS was pretty vocal about being against his order.

Another is MCPS is so slow-moving and rigid that making such a change later (even though the school year hadn't started) was too complicated.

I woudln't discount the second theory. Take today for example -- it's a long-planned early-release day, and as of last night, there was a change of late start due to snow. Now it would be pretty useless to have kids go to school 2 hours late, then get released 2.5 hours early.. might as well cancel school in that scenario.

What Frederick, which also had an early release day planned, announced last night that they'd do a 2- hour delayed start, but cancel the early release day and make it regular release time. MCPS said that was too "complicated" to do last minute due to contracts for use of the shcool facilities and so on.

So... MCPS can't manage to adapt while Frederick can...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you really want to go to school until June 21??? After Memorial Day, most kids are done with school. It’s hard to stay motivated that far into June. I hope we never extend our school year that far into June.

Only low performing students are without motivation, as they are throughout the school year. Ask the high achieving students - they would like to have extended school year so that they can continue to learn. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Complete and utter BS. My IB seniors start mentally checking out in April.

Anonymous wrote:The situation isn’t all on Hogan, MCPS has new days off such as for the Eid holiday. Between the late start, holidays and staff days, the MCPS calendar is a mess.

The June Eid holiday coincides with a professional day, and that has now been taken away.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Exec Order says school has to end by June 15. Last spring, the legislature passed a law that allows the school year to extend beyond that if additional days are needed because of inclement weather (so, snow make-up days can go beyond June 15, but the regular calendar can't).

MCPS did not adjust the previously approved 2018-19 calendar (this year's) after the legislation passed, which is why we aren't currently adding on days after June 15. Perhaps this is because they didn't want to change it after the lengthy approval process. Other counties did adjust their calendars after the legislation passed, which is why some of them are going beyond June 15 this year.

Next year's MCPS calendar (2019-20) actually does have makeup days listed after June 15, going out to June 22, but the planned last day of school is scheduled for June 15: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/calendar/0218.19ct_2019-20_SchoolYearCalendar_ADOPTED.pdf

If they had, DCUM would have complained: we've made plans, they need to stick with the calendar they already approved!

But since they didn't, DCUM is complaining: why didn't they adjust the calendar?!

They had time to adjust it before this school year began, just chose not to, although the calendar was published it was still early enough that most hadn't made plans or could still change plans. Personally I feel it was politically motivated and they wanted to have the least favorable calendar possible and place blame on Hogan, hoping it would influence people's votes in November.

I agree. The legislation passed last Spring allowing them to extend without a waiver. Frederick and Howard took advantage of that. MoCo could have too.. but didn't.

Does anyone know why they didn't?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Exec Order says school has to end by June 15. Last spring, the legislature passed a law that allows the school year to extend beyond that if additional days are needed because of inclement weather (so, snow make-up days can go beyond June 15, but the regular calendar can't).

MCPS did not adjust the previously approved 2018-19 calendar (this year's) after the legislation passed, which is why we aren't currently adding on days after June 15. Perhaps this is because they didn't want to change it after the lengthy approval process. Other counties did adjust their calendars after the legislation passed, which is why some of them are going beyond June 15 this year.

Next year's MCPS calendar (2019-20) actually does have makeup days listed after June 15, going out to June 22, but the planned last day of school is scheduled for June 15: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/calendar/0218.19ct_2019-20_SchoolYearCalendar_ADOPTED.pdf

If they had, DCUM would have complained: we've made plans, they need to stick with the calendar they already approved!

But since they didn't, DCUM is complaining: why didn't they adjust the calendar?!

They had time to adjust it before this school year began, just chose not to, although the calendar was published it was still early enough that most hadn't made plans or could still change plans. Personally I feel it was politically motivated and they wanted to have the least favorable calendar possible and place blame on Hogan, hoping it would influence people's votes in November.

I agree. The legislation passed last Spring allowing them to extend without a waiver. Frederick and Howard took advantage of that. MoCo could have too.. but didn't.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Exec Order says school has to end by June 15. Last spring, the legislature passed a law that allows the school year to extend beyond that if additional days are needed because of inclement weather (so, snow make-up days can go beyond June 15, but the regular calendar can't).

MCPS did not adjust the previously approved 2018-19 calendar (this year's) after the legislation passed, which is why we aren't currently adding on days after June 15. Perhaps this is because they didn't want to change it after the lengthy approval process. Other counties did adjust their calendars after the legislation passed, which is why some of them are going beyond June 15 this year.

Next year's MCPS calendar (2019-20) actually does have makeup days listed after June 15, going out to June 22, but the planned last day of school is scheduled for June 15: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/calendar/0218.19ct_2019-20_SchoolYearCalendar_ADOPTED.pdf

If they had, DCUM would have complained: we've made plans, they need to stick with the calendar they already approved!

But since they didn't, DCUM is complaining: why didn't they adjust the calendar?!

They had time to adjust it before this school year began, just chose not to, although the calendar was published it was still early enough that most hadn't made plans or could still change plans. Personally I feel it was politically motivated and they wanted to have the least favorable calendar possible and place blame on Hogan, hoping it would influence people's votes in November.

Hey, look, you're complaining!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Exec Order says school has to end by June 15. Last spring, the legislature passed a law that allows the school year to extend beyond that if additional days are needed because of inclement weather (so, snow make-up days can go beyond June 15, but the regular calendar can't).

MCPS did not adjust the previously approved 2018-19 calendar (this year's) after the legislation passed, which is why we aren't currently adding on days after June 15. Perhaps this is because they didn't want to change it after the lengthy approval process. Other counties did adjust their calendars after the legislation passed, which is why some of them are going beyond June 15 this year.

Next year's MCPS calendar (2019-20) actually does have makeup days listed after June 15, going out to June 22, but the planned last day of school is scheduled for June 15: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/calendar/0218.19ct_2019-20_SchoolYearCalendar_ADOPTED.pdf

If they had, DCUM would have complained: we've made plans, they need to stick with the calendar they already approved!

But since they didn't, DCUM is complaining: why didn't they adjust the calendar?!

They had time to adjust it before this school year began, just chose not to, although the calendar was published it was still early enough that most hadn't made plans or could still change plans. Personally I feel it was politically motivated and they wanted to have the least favorable calendar possible and place blame on Hogan, hoping it would influence people's votes in November.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you really want to go to school until June 21??? After Memorial Day, most kids are done with school. It’s hard to stay motivated that far into June. I hope we never extend our school year that far into June.

Only low performing students are without motivation, as they are throughout the school year. Ask the high achieving students - they would like to have extended school year so that they can continue to learn. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

It’s not that low performing students aren’t motivated. I hate this attitude. It makes people give up on them. They generally have difficulties learning in a traditional environment, and they don’t have the resources that we do to help their child find their best fit and best accommodations[u]. Many of their parents don’t even know how to start that conversation.

You see kids in 3rd world countries with less resources but are motivated to learn, some even have to trek and you're saying some of the kids here have a problem with extending another week because they have difficulties in traditional environment? Such an entitled attitude, and you think not extending is better for these kids? I hope you are just being sarcastic.

You see Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain scoring 30 points per game. Why can't everybody? Such an entitled attitude.

DP... uh.. I see it the other way around. If you want schools to accommodate you that is an entitled attitude. Expecting kids to walk for miles or any other hardship to get educated is not an entitled attitude.

This! You can't have everything, it may not be to your liking but it's not the end of the world, and you'll learn how to cope, it's part of life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Exec Order says school has to end by June 15. Last spring, the legislature passed a law that allows the school year to extend beyond that if additional days are needed because of inclement weather (so, snow make-up days can go beyond June 15, but the regular calendar can't).

MCPS did not adjust the previously approved 2018-19 calendar (this year's) after the legislation passed, which is why we aren't currently adding on days after June 15. Perhaps this is because they didn't want to change it after the lengthy approval process. Other counties did adjust their calendars after the legislation passed, which is why some of them are going beyond June 15 this year.

Next year's MCPS calendar (2019-20) actually does have makeup days listed after June 15, going out to June 22, but the planned last day of school is scheduled for June 15: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/calendar/0218.19ct_2019-20_SchoolYearCalendar_ADOPTED.pdf

If they had, DCUM would have complained: we've made plans, they need to stick with the calendar they already approved!

But since they didn't, DCUM is complaining: why didn't they adjust the calendar?!

I’m not asking about adjusting this year‘s calendar. I’m asking about next year’s. That way parents can make their travel plans based on the school calendar.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you really want to go to school until June 21??? After Memorial Day, most kids are done with school. It’s hard to stay motivated that far into June. I hope we never extend our school year that far into June.

Only low performing students are without motivation, as they are throughout the school year. Ask the high achieving students - they would like to have extended school year so that they can continue to learn. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

It’s not that low performing students aren’t motivated. I hate this attitude. It makes people give up on them. They generally have difficulties learning in a traditional environment, and they don’t have the resources that we do to help their child find their best fit and best accommodations[u]. Many of their parents don’t even know how to start that conversation.

You see kids in 3rd world countries with less resources but are motivated to learn, some even have to trek and you're saying some of the kids here have a problem with extending another week because they have difficulties in traditional environment? Such an entitled attitude, and you think not extending is better for these kids? I hope you are just being sarcastic.

You see Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain scoring 30 points per game. Why can't everybody? Such an entitled attitude.

DP... uh.. I see it the other way around. If you want schools to accommodate you that is an entitled attitude. Expecting kids to walk for miles or any other hardship to get educated is not an entitled attitude.

The entitled attitude is expecting everybody to be able to do something on grounds that some people are able to do it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you really want to go to school until June 21??? After Memorial Day, most kids are done with school. It’s hard to stay motivated that far into June. I hope we never extend our school year that far into June.

Only low performing students are without motivation, as they are throughout the school year. Ask the high achieving students - they would like to have extended school year so that they can continue to learn. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

It’s not that low performing students aren’t motivated. I hate this attitude. It makes people give up on them. They generally have difficulties learning in a traditional environment, and they don’t have the resources that we do to help their child find their best fit and best accommodations[u]. Many of their parents don’t even know how to start that conversation.

You see kids in 3rd world countries with less resources but are motivated to learn, some even have to trek and you're saying some of the kids here have a problem with extending another week because they have difficulties in traditional environment? Such an entitled attitude, and you think not extending is better for these kids? I hope you are just being sarcastic.

You see Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain scoring 30 points per game. Why can't everybody? Such an entitled attitude.

I can assure you that they are not great athletes because they were accommodated for every little whim. They were motivated, persevered and worked hard to be what they want to be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you really want to go to school until June 21??? After Memorial Day, most kids are done with school. It’s hard to stay motivated that far into June. I hope we never extend our school year that far into June.

Only low performing students are without motivation, as they are throughout the school year. Ask the high achieving students - they would like to have extended school year so that they can continue to learn. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

It’s not that low performing students aren’t motivated. I hate this attitude. It makes people give up on them. They generally have difficulties learning in a traditional environment, and they don’t have the resources that we do to help their child find their best fit and best accommodations[u]. Many of their parents don’t even know how to start that conversation.

You see kids in 3rd world countries with less resources but are motivated to learn, some even have to trek and you're saying some of the kids here have a problem with extending another week because they have difficulties in traditional environment? Such an entitled attitude, and you think not extending is better for these kids? I hope you are just being sarcastic.

You see Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain scoring 30 points per game. Why can't everybody? Such an entitled attitude.

DP... uh.. I see it the other way around. If you want schools to accommodate you that is an entitled attitude. Expecting kids to walk for miles or any other hardship to get educated is not an entitled attitude.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you really want to go to school until June 21??? After Memorial Day, most kids are done with school. It’s hard to stay motivated that far into June. I hope we never extend our school year that far into June.

Only low performing students are without motivation, as they are throughout the school year. Ask the high achieving students - they would like to have extended school year so that they can continue to learn. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

It’s not that low performing students aren’t motivated. I hate this attitude. It makes people give up on them. They generally have difficulties learning in a traditional environment, and they don’t have the resources that we do to help their child find their best fit and best accommodations[u]. Many of their parents don’t even know how to start that conversation.

You see kids in 3rd world countries with less resources but are motivated to learn, some even have to trek and you're saying some of the kids here have a problem with extending another week because they have difficulties in traditional environment? Such an entitled attitude, and you think not extending is better for these kids? I hope you are just being sarcastic.

You see Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain scoring 30 points per game. Why can't everybody? Such an entitled attitude.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you really want to go to school until June 21??? After Memorial Day, most kids are done with school. It’s hard to stay motivated that far into June. I hope we never extend our school year that far into June.

Only low performing students are without motivation, as they are throughout the school year. Ask the high achieving students - they would like to have extended school year so that they can continue to learn. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

It’s not that low performing students aren’t motivated. I hate this attitude. It makes people give up on them. They generally have difficulties learning in a traditional environment, and they don’t have the resources that we do to help their child find their best fit and best accommodations[u]. Many of their parents don’t even know how to start that conversation.

You see kids in 3rd world countries with less resources but are motivated to learn, some even have to trek and you're saying some of the kids here have a problem with extending another week because they have difficulties in traditional environment? Such an entitled attitude, and you think not extending is better for these kids? I hope you are just being sarcastic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The situation isn’t all on Hogan, MCPS has new days off such as for the Eid holiday. Between the late start, holidays and staff days, the MCPS calendar is a mess.

Maybe MCPS could start after all the religious hollidays in September so students can focus on learning. Just add one or two hours to each school day.

State law is based on days, not hours.

Also, guess how many "staff days" there are in the calendar this year?

It is actually both days and hours. But the hours are pretty much a slam dunk to get with the minimum number of days. I did hear Pat O'Neill comment once that too many delays and early releases will impact the hours requirement, but when I did the math, it still seemed like MCPS would have to have a TON of partial days (far more than 10) to not meet the hours requirement.

Also - No Eid "teacher workday" anymore in 2019 calendar. It will be used as an instruction day (already announced).