Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

Actually, I was asking the APS teacher with knowledge of the inner workings for APS' rationale for option 1.
I'd like to know why Duran is recommending option 1, especially since community, teachers, and calendar committee ALL preferred options2/3.

NP APS staff- this is all under the idea of aligning to neighboring districts (specifically FCPS even though they have not released their calendar draft yet) lots of APS teachers actually asked for this last year, now I think there will be some regret when we go back on August 10th

This is what’s happening- it’s in the slideshow. Every other schools system (aside from FCPS since they have only just released their drafts) are starting Aug 21. It’s all about alignment. I get it but as an APS teacher that lives in Arlington it’s also frustrating because part of why I chose to live here is so my kids would be on the same calendar. I don’t want to go back Aug 10- I usually spend that week and the next traveling and visiting family. But if we want to be able to staff our schools, we need teachers that live in other school districts.

Then there never should have been any other options presented to the community.

yeah- but then people feel 'left out.' I think in APS mind they are taking into account community feedback b/c so many of the comments emphasized how important alignment is.
I think the alignment piece is tough b/c, as a PP said, we need teachers who live in other districts, but itf all we are giong ot do is wait and see what Fairfax does, then why even pretend a different calendar?

The bigger thing to focus on here is the early start date without an early end date- the solution to that? Get rid of the religious holidays. The solution to the constant uncertainty? Do what FCCPS did- set a calendar policy so you basically always know when school will start adn what holidays will happen and the calendar isn't such a guessing game.

I included in my feedback in the survey that they had a typo in option 1, and the presentation still has that typo, so I'm guessing they didn't read my comment or didn't care.

April 2024. April 8th is blacked out as a grade prep day, but under it, it says April 12th is the grade prep day.

Will the early start date include all of the religious holidays? Sorry I haven't been paying close attention.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

Actually, I was asking the APS teacher with knowledge of the inner workings for APS' rationale for option 1.
I'd like to know why Duran is recommending option 1, especially since community, teachers, and calendar committee ALL preferred options2/3.

NP APS staff- this is all under the idea of aligning to neighboring districts (specifically FCPS even though they have not released their calendar draft yet) lots of APS teachers actually asked for this last year, now I think there will be some regret when we go back on August 10th

This is what’s happening- it’s in the slideshow. Every other schools system (aside from FCPS since they have only just released their drafts) are starting Aug 21. It’s all about alignment. I get it but as an APS teacher that lives in Arlington it’s also frustrating because part of why I chose to live here is so my kids would be on the same calendar. I don’t want to go back Aug 10- I usually spend that week and the next traveling and visiting family. But if we want to be able to staff our schools, we need teachers that live in other school districts.

Then there never should have been any other options presented to the community.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

We have all those things you want this year, and we only started one week before Labor Day. Starting 2 weeks before & not getting out any earlier is BS.

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

Actually, I was asking the APS teacher with knowledge of the inner workings for APS' rationale for option 1.
I'd like to know why Duran is recommending option 1, especially since community, teachers, and calendar committee ALL preferred options2/3.

ALL??? LOL. Nope, far from it. Let's face it. There is you and one or two other people posting here supporting 2 and 3. That does NOT constitute ALL. Nice try, though.

Look at the survey results, dimwit. APS doesn't solicit its community and staff feedback from DCUM. The overwhelming majority of community and staff preferred either options 2 or 3. And APS' own appointed calendar committee did not recommend option 1.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

We have all those things you want this year, and we only started one week before Labor Day. Starting 2 weeks before & not getting out any earlier is BS.

This presentation is quintessential APS. Majority of the respondents want Option 2. The committee's recommendation is Option 3. What does Duran recommend to the School Board? Neither of those!

It really supports the argument that community engagement is a farce.

Anonymous wrote:If school starts two weeks before labor day, I hope they actually use most of those days to teach. This year my kids' teachers said they weren't allowed to start teaching academic material until after labor day. The entire first week was just ice breakers and going over expectations. This was in middle school.

Interesting. My kid just started MS this year and it seemed like things were very slow to get started. This would explain it. I didn’t know if this was just easing 6th graders into it. What is the point of starting earlier if teachers can’t … teach?

If school starts two weeks before labor day, I hope they actually use most of those days to teach. This year my kids' teachers said they weren't allowed to start teaching academic material until after labor day. The entire first week was just ice breakers and going over expectations. This was in middle school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

Actually, I was asking the APS teacher with knowledge of the inner workings for APS' rationale for option 1.
I'd like to know why Duran is recommending option 1, especially since community, teachers, and calendar committee ALL preferred options2/3.

NP APS staff- this is all under the idea of aligning to neighboring districts (specifically FCPS even though they have not released their calendar draft yet) lots of APS teachers actually asked for this last year, now I think there will be some regret when we go back on August 10th

This is what’s happening- it’s in the slideshow. Every other schools system (aside from FCPS since they have only just released their drafts) are starting Aug 21. It’s all about alignment. I get it but as an APS teacher that lives in Arlington it’s also frustrating because part of why I chose to live here is so my kids would be on the same calendar. I don’t want to go back Aug 10- I usually spend that week and the next traveling and visiting family. But if we want to be able to staff our schools, we need teachers that live in other school districts.

Yep. I pay the mortgage in Arlington. My house isn’t as big, but I do it because I work here. And as a taxpayer here, I am concerned about where our money is going. I refuse to pay for the Central Office to have yet another week off. They make more than us. They got two extra weeks off for Winter and Spring Break last year (in addition to the leave they accrue). They aren’t getting much done over there, either. It’s a big hell no. What is the incentive for good teachers to stay in the classroom?

I’ve never gone to central office so that I would have the same schedule as my kids. But with three weeks off, plus another couple of weeks in the summer, less work, and more money…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

Actually, I was asking the APS teacher with knowledge of the inner workings for APS' rationale for option 1.
I'd like to know why Duran is recommending option 1, especially since community, teachers, and calendar committee ALL preferred options2/3.

NP APS staff- this is all under the idea of aligning to neighboring districts (specifically FCPS even though they have not released their calendar draft yet) lots of APS teachers actually asked for this last year, now I think there will be some regret when we go back on August 10th

This is what’s happening- it’s in the slideshow. Every other schools system (aside from FCPS since they have only just released their drafts) are starting Aug 21. It’s all about alignment. I get it but as an APS teacher that lives in Arlington it’s also frustrating because part of why I chose to live here is so my kids would be on the same calendar. I don’t want to go back Aug 10- I usually spend that week and the next traveling and visiting family. But if we want to be able to staff our schools, we need teachers that live in other school districts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

Actually, I was asking the APS teacher with knowledge of the inner workings for APS' rationale for option 1.
I'd like to know why Duran is recommending option 1, especially since community, teachers, and calendar committee ALL preferred options2/3.

ALL??? LOL. Nope, far from it. Let's face it. There is you and one or two other people posting here supporting 2 and 3. That does NOT constitute ALL. Nice try, though.

I think they were referring to the survey results showing that more people preferred option 2 and 3

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

Actually, I was asking the APS teacher with knowledge of the inner workings for APS' rationale for option 1.
I'd like to know why Duran is recommending option 1, especially since community, teachers, and calendar committee ALL preferred options2/3.

ALL??? LOL. Nope, far from it. Let's face it. There is you and one or two other people posting here supporting 2 and 3. That does NOT constitute ALL. Nice try, though.

Where will the money come from to pay Central Office staff for the extra week off they’ll all now get? We can’t do field trips. Can’t add bus routes. What’s next? When will these people actually work??

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS teacher here familiar with some of the inner workings of central office/school board. Let me save you time, energy, and this 17 page thread: Your opinion doesn’t matter. The decision has been made. It’s Option 1 regardless of “community input”. Even reading the tea leaves of how each option was worded/presented one can deduce that. A slap in the face to teachers and the community for them trying to let us believe our opinion matters. If anyone believes it won’t be Option 1 I would be happy to set up a wager. You can pick the stakes.

What is the rationale for option 1? Why is this the option APS wants?

If there's such a compelling reason for option 1, why even offer a significantly different option? Obviously, there was no significant difference between options 2 and 3, since it was merely a difference in which week spring break happens (and a less choppy subsequent week in one of them). It takes a lot of balls to completely dismiss not just community input, or even teacher input, but your own appointed calendar committee's input. Everyone should flood the school board's inboxes.

DP. Okay, we'll flood the school board's inboxes telling them we LIKE and WANT Option 1. Having a two week Winter Break is the best for our family and we appreciate the other days off in the school year for observances of religious holidays other than our own. We also like the kids to be off on Federal holidays. All in all, Option 1 is the best option.

Actually, I was asking the APS teacher with knowledge of the inner workings for APS' rationale for option 1.
I'd like to know why Duran is recommending option 1, especially since community, teachers, and calendar committee ALL preferred options2/3.

ALL??? LOL. Nope, far from it. Let's face it. There is you and one or two other people posting here supporting 2 and 3. That does NOT constitute ALL. Nice try, though.