Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

The Policy Management Committee met today, and they seemed to be agreeing on ending by June 14, but there was still some uncertainty about starting during the week of the 21st or 28th. The focus groups they had were in more favor of the 28th, but open to the 23rd. They talked about needing to figure out logistical issues with a mid-week start. Smondrowski was again favoring the earlier start, and brought on Jeff Sullivan to say that an earlier start of school is better for the athletics programs too. It sounds like the longer Thanksgiving and winter breaks aren't generating much interest. The superintendent's recommendation will be presented at the full board meeting on Dec. 6th.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/CLAT9R764F5D/$file/221121%20SY%202023-24%20Calendar%20PMC%20Presentation.pdf

Thanks for summarizing! Could you tell how the other board members were leaning?

Evans and Kim went along with Smondrowski's suggestion asking the staff to create some sort of merged version of B and D, starting sometime the week of Aug 21st and ending by June 14th. Docca was against that, as she seemed to prefer starting the 28th. (But just noting that her term will end before the next full board meeting, so the newly elected board members will be the ones voting on it.)

Many east coast schools have been in the habit of starting mid-week after Labor Day (Tuesday or Wednesday) so that itself doesn't seem like a huge problem. If they start the 23rd, would teacher work days start the 16th? When would 6th and 9th Grade orientation be, when they run the busses? 21st or 22nd? What about high school senior events, or high school events for returning students like activity fair? Would it all get jammed into the 21st/22nd?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

The Policy Management Committee met today, and they seemed to be agreeing on ending by June 14, but there was still some uncertainty about starting during the week of the 21st or 28th. The focus groups they had were in more favor of the 28th, but open to the 23rd. They talked about needing to figure out logistical issues with a mid-week start. Smondrowski was again favoring the earlier start, and brought on Jeff Sullivan to say that an earlier start of school is better for the athletics programs too. It sounds like the longer Thanksgiving and winter breaks aren't generating much interest. The superintendent's recommendation will be presented at the full board meeting on Dec. 6th.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/CLAT9R764F5D/$file/221121%20SY%202023-24%20Calendar%20PMC%20Presentation.pdf

Thanks for summarizing! Could you tell how the other board members were leaning?

Evans and Kim went along with Smondrowski's suggestion asking the staff to create some sort of merged version of B and D, starting sometime the week of Aug 21st and ending by June 14th. Docca was against that, as she seemed to prefer starting the 28th. (But just noting that her term will end before the next full board meeting, so the newly elected board members will be the ones voting on it.)

So the option they could go with isn't even one they sent out in the survey? The new option will be both presented for the first time and voted on at the Dec. 6 meeting?

The board members were asking staff if they could come up with and present this new option and collect feedback before the 12/6 meeting, but I don't know if that's feasible at this point. Smondrowski was also asking if staff could come to the 12/6 meeting with a rough draft 2024-25 calendar as well, so they could start planning further ahead.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

The Policy Management Committee met today, and they seemed to be agreeing on ending by June 14, but there was still some uncertainty about starting during the week of the 21st or 28th. The focus groups they had were in more favor of the 28th, but open to the 23rd. They talked about needing to figure out logistical issues with a mid-week start. Smondrowski was again favoring the earlier start, and brought on Jeff Sullivan to say that an earlier start of school is better for the athletics programs too. It sounds like the longer Thanksgiving and winter breaks aren't generating much interest. The superintendent's recommendation will be presented at the full board meeting on Dec. 6th.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/CLAT9R764F5D/$file/221121%20SY%202023-24%20Calendar%20PMC%20Presentation.pdf

Thanks for summarizing! Could you tell how the other board members were leaning?

Evans and Kim went along with Smondrowski's suggestion asking the staff to create some sort of merged version of B and D, starting sometime the week of Aug 21st and ending by June 14th. Docca was against that, as she seemed to prefer starting the 28th. (But just noting that her term will end before the next full board meeting, so the newly elected board members will be the ones voting on it.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

The Policy Management Committee met today, and they seemed to be agreeing on ending by June 14, but there was still some uncertainty about starting during the week of the 21st or 28th. The focus groups they had were in more favor of the 28th, but open to the 23rd. They talked about needing to figure out logistical issues with a mid-week start. Smondrowski was again favoring the earlier start, and brought on Jeff Sullivan to say that an earlier start of school is better for the athletics programs too. It sounds like the longer Thanksgiving and winter breaks aren't generating much interest. The superintendent's recommendation will be presented at the full board meeting on Dec. 6th.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/CLAT9R764F5D/$file/221121%20SY%202023-24%20Calendar%20PMC%20Presentation.pdf

Thanks for summarizing! Could you tell how the other board members were leaning?

Evans and Kim went along with Smondrowski's suggestion asking the staff to create some sort of merged version of B and D, starting sometime the week of Aug 21st and ending by June 14th. Docca was against that, as she seemed to prefer starting the 28th. (But just noting that her term will end before the next full board meeting, so the newly elected board members will be the ones voting on it.)

So the option they could go with isn't even one they sent out in the survey? The new option will be both presented for the first time and voted on at the Dec. 6 meeting?

The board members were asking staff if they could come up with and present this new option and collect feedback before the 12/6 meeting, but I don't know if that's feasible at this point. Smondrowski was also asking if staff could come to the 12/6 meeting with a rough draft 2024-25 calendar as well, so they could start planning further ahead.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

The Policy Management Committee met today, and they seemed to be agreeing on ending by June 14, but there was still some uncertainty about starting during the week of the 21st or 28th. The focus groups they had were in more favor of the 28th, but open to the 23rd. They talked about needing to figure out logistical issues with a mid-week start. Smondrowski was again favoring the earlier start, and brought on Jeff Sullivan to say that an earlier start of school is better for the athletics programs too. It sounds like the longer Thanksgiving and winter breaks aren't generating much interest. The superintendent's recommendation will be presented at the full board meeting on Dec. 6th.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/CLAT9R764F5D/$file/221121%20SY%202023-24%20Calendar%20PMC%20Presentation.pdf

Thanks for summarizing! Could you tell how the other board members were leaning?

Evans and Kim went along with Smondrowski's suggestion asking the staff to create some sort of merged version of B and D, starting sometime the week of Aug 21st and ending by June 14th. Docca was against that, as she seemed to prefer starting the 28th. (But just noting that her term will end before the next full board meeting, so the newly elected board members will be the ones voting on it.)

So the option they could go with isn't even one they sent out in the survey? The new option will be both presented for the first time and voted on at the Dec. 6 meeting?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

The Policy Management Committee met today, and they seemed to be agreeing on ending by June 14, but there was still some uncertainty about starting during the week of the 21st or 28th. The focus groups they had were in more favor of the 28th, but open to the 23rd. They talked about needing to figure out logistical issues with a mid-week start. Smondrowski was again favoring the earlier start, and brought on Jeff Sullivan to say that an earlier start of school is better for the athletics programs too. It sounds like the longer Thanksgiving and winter breaks aren't generating much interest. The superintendent's recommendation will be presented at the full board meeting on Dec. 6th.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/CLAT9R764F5D/$file/221121%20SY%202023-24%20Calendar%20PMC%20Presentation.pdf

Thanks for summarizing! Could you tell how the other board members were leaning?

Evans and Kim went along with Smondrowski's suggestion asking the staff to create some sort of merged version of B and D, starting sometime the week of Aug 21st and ending by June 14th. Docca was against that, as she seemed to prefer starting the 28th. (But just noting that her term will end before the next full board meeting, so the newly elected board members will be the ones voting on it.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

The Policy Management Committee met today, and they seemed to be agreeing on ending by June 14, but there was still some uncertainty about starting during the week of the 21st or 28th. The focus groups they had were in more favor of the 28th, but open to the 23rd. They talked about needing to figure out logistical issues with a mid-week start. Smondrowski was again favoring the earlier start, and brought on Jeff Sullivan to say that an earlier start of school is better for the athletics programs too. It sounds like the longer Thanksgiving and winter breaks aren't generating much interest. The superintendent's recommendation will be presented at the full board meeting on Dec. 6th.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/CLAT9R764F5D/$file/221121%20SY%202023-24%20Calendar%20PMC%20Presentation.pdf

Thanks for summarizing! Could you tell how the other board members were leaning?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

The Policy Management Committee met today, and they seemed to be agreeing on ending by June 14, but there was still some uncertainty about starting during the week of the 21st or 28th. The focus groups they had were in more favor of the 28th, but open to the 23rd. They talked about needing to figure out logistical issues with a mid-week start. Smondrowski was again favoring the earlier start, and brought on Jeff Sullivan to say that an earlier start of school is better for the athletics programs too. It sounds like the longer Thanksgiving and winter breaks aren't generating much interest. The superintendent's recommendation will be presented at the full board meeting on Dec. 6th.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/CLAT9R764F5D/$file/221121%20SY%202023-24%20Calendar%20PMC%20Presentation.pdf

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

The Policy Management Committee met today, and they seemed to be agreeing on ending by June 14, but there was still some uncertainty about starting during the week of the 21st or 28th. The focus groups they had were in more favor of the 28th, but open to the 23rd. They talked about needing to figure out logistical issues with a mid-week start. Smondrowski was again favoring the earlier start, and brought on Jeff Sullivan to say that an earlier start of school is better for the athletics programs too. It sounds like the longer Thanksgiving and winter breaks aren't generating much interest. The superintendent's recommendation will be presented at the full board meeting on Dec. 6th.

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/CLAT9R764F5D/$file/221121%20SY%202023-24%20Calendar%20PMC%20Presentation.pdf

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe D was the most popular option. WTF would people be okay with going to June 18th? Maybe a lot of the people who chose D don’t send their kids the last few days of school anyway?

We end this year on June 16. It’s essentially the same/mid June. It’s not freakishly late. I would prefer they strike out a few professional days so they could wrap it up the prior Friday, but no one gave us that option (basic what we have now). I greatly prefer the Aug 28 start, so D was the obvious winner for me. And evidently for the most others.

I think the final version could still end up being something like Aug 28 - June 14, even though that wasn't one of the scenarios.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Option A. International families need longer winter break so they can travel to countries like India in the cooler months.

International families have been taking trips like this for years and will continue to do so. As a teacher, I am sympathetic to the need for them to do so and do understand that it causes some extra work on the part of students and teachers when this happens, but it involves a very low percentage of our students. I do not think it is justified to disrupt the winter months to this extent for a very low number of families. We can accommodate their needs in a respectful way while still allowing the educational program to continue without the disruption of such a long winter break.

Low number only due to option of travelling not being there. It won't be a low number in diverse county where international population is so huge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Option A. International families need longer winter break so they can travel to countries like India in the cooler months.

International families have been taking trips like this for years and will continue to do so. As a teacher, I am sympathetic to the need for them to do so and do understand that it causes some extra work on the part of students and teachers when this happens, but it involves a very low percentage of our students. I do not think it is justified to disrupt the winter months to this extent for a very low number of families. We can accommodate their needs in a respectful way while still allowing the educational program to continue without the disruption of such a long winter break.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all of you moaning about learning loss, I'm looking at other counties and they start later than MoCo AND get out earlier. Garrett- Start: Sept. 6 End: June 7 Harford: Sept 6-June 13 Queen Anne's August 29-June 8..Somerset August 29-June 8th, Wicomico- Sept 6-June 14, Worcester: September 6-June 13....so they have the right idea of what a school year should look like. MoCo insists on extra days where no work is actually done because students are more than checked out at that point. Common sense, which not a shocker, but MoCo residents tend not to have.

Some of them have basically a long weekend for Spring Break and don’t take into consideration any other non-Christian holidays because they have a much less diverse population of students and staff. They also don’t have many teacher workdays so I don’t know how teachers are getting trained or getting time for planning/grading.

Hint: "Teacher training" aka professional development is a joke 99.9% of the time and if teachers had the chance at longer summers vs a few extra hours to grade on a half day, they'd gladly take the longer summer.

I’m a teacher and I disagree. The long hours I spend 4-5 days a week grading at home are stressing me out and disrupting my family life in a way that a couple extra weeks of summer (at most) will not fix. I’d rather have a half day once a week like the school system I grew up in. Every Wed was a half day. Teachers had meetings and planning time. Nearly every student went to the free or low cost rec center programs until the normal dismissal time.

So many schools all over the country have one half day a week (and have a regular 180 day schedule)...Sane people resides there. That would never happen here. Can you imagine? The MoCo parents would lose their minds..LEARNING LOSS! They have absolutely no critical thinking skills outside of what they think is best and ignore what other schools all over the country do as standard practices. They'd just blame MCEA and teachers like they always do.