I’m so annoyed. What can be done? Why are they allowed to do this? There are soooo many days off already. And it’s asenine that a 3hr early release with snack, lunch (at 10:15am!!!) and school families what ever the purpose of that is counts as a full school day. And the audacity to claim any correlation between improved test scores and early release days is insane. Get out of fcps.

Congratulations to everyone who got the February 18 assignment. Instead of a 4 day President’s Day weekend, you can stretch it to 5! I wonder if they’ll move it last minute again like they did when they scheduled an early release Monday the same week as Thanksgiving.

A transparent handout to the teachers unions.

What is the argument for not adding 4 full teacher work days instead of the half days? It would give planning time and be less disruptive and let families plan something fun if they wish. Local centers will run day camps for those who need it. I wouldn't mind 4 extra long weekends. 8 half days is a major pita.

They're doing Wednesdays to make their attendance numbers look better. Half day Mondays allowed for nice long weekend trips for families. Can't have that! Reid's stated reasoning is insulting to the intelligence of parents. As is the suggestion that less classroom time benefits students who are are already woefully behind.

Anonymous wrote:Wednesdays absolutely suck. Eff Reid and FCPS.

Seriously.

Wednesdays absolutely suck. Eff Reid and FCPS.

This is clearly a concession to the unions and their collective bargaining agreement.

And selecting Wednesdays, the middle of the work week, is asinine.

Hmmmm…less instructional time at FCPS = higher test scores.

Well played, Ms. Reid!

FCPS has more planning time than the surrounding jurisdictions; how are they able to do the new mandated curriculum without these added 1/2 days.

(…agree with a pp that I’d prefer 4 whole days off rather than (8) 1/2 days. My kids go to SACC, so it’s not even the childcare aspect of it.)

Anonymous wrote:I just went to the grocery store today at 2 pm (my kids had an early release Monday) and ran into a teacher. I mean, they can use their time however they want but let’s be real here.

Maybe the teacher took leave.

Maybe the teacher was running an errand for the school.

Maybe the teacher finished a meeting early and then will work again after dinner for a few more hours.

Maybe the teacher isn’t doing anything wrong and deserves the benefit of not being judged.

Anonymous wrote:I truly would rather lose 4 full days than 8 half days. I find the half days are disruptive and I think the kids don't learn much.

Additionally the double bus runs are an added expense it doesn't sound like the county can afford, vs a savings if the entire day was cancelled.

I just went to the grocery store today at 2 pm (my kids had an early release Monday) and ran into a teacher. I mean, they can use their time however they want but let’s be real here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh boy, the email just went out...

Link as needed:
https://www.fcps.edu/news/limited-early-release-wednesdays-school-year-2025-26

Reid doubling down on snow days again. “The limited number of three-hour early release days will not impact the state-mandated number of instructional hours, but it will reduce the number of built in snow days.”

I cannot believe this. Reid claims that Early Release Days mean better scores:

"During my Superintendent Matters report at a recent School Board meeting, I announced our plan to continue limited early release days and move them to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year. This decision follows a recommendation from the Early Release Steering Committee—which includes parents, caregivers, school-based staff, and central office staff—working in partnership with the Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals (FAESP). The recommendation was based on the positive outcomes of this year’s limited early release Mondays.

For example, in grades K-3, we saw an 11 percentage point increase in students meeting reading benchmarks from fall to winter. In grades 3-6, multi-year trend data shows improved reading performance, with more students meeting or approaching grade-level expectations than in previous years. This progress is significant—and a clear indicator that this approach is working. This work matters!"

Gee. If Early Release Days yield such good results, why not just give the teachers a full day every week?

Why not just be honest?

I truly would rather lose 4 full days than 8 half days. I find the half days are disruptive and I think the kids don't learn much.