Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elementary parent here.

I HATE the calendar. I don’t need them in school so much as I need them to have a set routine. My kindergartener is throwing tantrums because he’s not used to going yet and days off and early releases so soon mess with getting used to it all. My oldest has no idea when to bring their instrument because they keep changing schedules.

How can FCPS say we need to prioritize attendance and then give us EVERY niche holiday off as well as early release days once a month?

Because FCPS exists to employ and cater to teachers, and doesn’t care in the slightest about what is good for students.

Its handy that they can class-shame and look astonished that most women work outside the home in 2025, so when people speak up they can condescend.

LOL. Yes, teaching in FCPS is a dream these days! Please sign up and you can witness the love firsthand.

I feel bad for the elementary parents. I hated these days when they were little since I scrambled for daycare. Now I love them. They are in 9th and 12th and with advanced classes, fall sports and a touch of senoritis I’m grateful for any day they can sleep in.

Sports still happen but my senior can drive my freshman to the early practices and they aren’t as early as the school day.

Anonymous wrote:Elementary parent here.

I HATE the calendar. I don’t need them in school so much as I need them to have a set routine. My kindergartener is throwing tantrums because he’s not used to going yet and days off and early releases so soon mess with getting used to it all. My oldest has no idea when to bring their instrument because they keep changing schedules.

How can FCPS say we need to prioritize attendance and then give us EVERY niche holiday off as well as early release days once a month?

Because FCPS exists to employ and cater to teachers, and doesn’t care in the slightest about what is good for students.

Its handy that they can class-shame and look astonished that most women work outside the home in 2025, so when people speak up they can condescend.

Elementary parent here.

I HATE the calendar. I don’t need them in school so much as I need them to have a set routine. My kindergartener is throwing tantrums because he’s not used to going yet and days off and early releases so soon mess with getting used to it all. My oldest has no idea when to bring their instrument because they keep changing schedules.

How can FCPS say we need to prioritize attendance and then give us EVERY niche holiday off as well as early release days once a month?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of high schoolers: is anyone dreading the 5 day week next week?! Luckily it’s the last one of the quarter!

Last and only one in September.
October 6-10 and the last week of the quarter October 27-31 are full weeks.

Nope. PSAT is on Oct 8 so that’s a day off.

Also, Oct. 31 is an early release day.

October 8 must not be off for all schools since it's not shown in the calendar.
October 27-31 is a 5-day week it just includes a short day on Oct 31.

October 8 won’t be on the official calendar but it will be announced by all the high schools soon. Get ready

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of high schoolers: is anyone dreading the 5 day week next week?! Luckily it’s the last one of the quarter!

Last and only one in September.
October 6-10 and the last week of the quarter October 27-31 are full weeks.

Nope. PSAT is on Oct 8 so that’s a day off.

Also, Oct. 31 is an early release day.

October 8 must not be off for all schools since it's not shown in the calendar.
October 27-31 is a 5-day week it just includes a short day on Oct 31.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of high schoolers: is anyone dreading the 5 day week next week?! Luckily it’s the last one of the quarter!

Last and only one in September.
October 6-10 and the last week of the quarter October 27-31 are full weeks.

Nope. PSAT is on Oct 8 so that’s a day off.

Also, Oct. 31 is an early release day.

+1 haha I know that will upset some of the folks who don’t like 4 day weeks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I might be an outlier but the number of 4-day weeks drives me bananas. I’d prefer a longer summer break so high schoolers can take advantage of seasonal employment, and also because the 4-day workweek is not really widespread as far as the real world goes, so we’re not teaching them to cope with the demands of a real job by having all these random 4-day weeks.

This kind of argument has never resonated with me. In daycare at age 4 the teachers would tell us they were stopping naps "because the kids won't be able to nap in the 5 year old class!" OK...so they'll be older then and will adapt. But right now they're 4 and need naps. Our students will adapt to 5-day workweeks when they need to. But right now it's fine to have 4-day weeks and be students/kids.

+100

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I might be an outlier but the number of 4-day weeks drives me bananas. I’d prefer a longer summer break so high schoolers can take advantage of seasonal employment, and also because the 4-day workweek is not really widespread as far as the real world goes, so we’re not teaching them to cope with the demands of a real job by having all these random 4-day weeks.

This kind of argument has never resonated with me. In daycare at age 4 the teachers would tell us they were stopping naps "because the kids won't be able to nap in the 5 year old class!" OK...so they'll be older then and will adapt. But right now they're 4 and need naps. Our students will adapt to 5-day workweeks when they need to. But right now it's fine to have 4-day weeks and be students/kids.

I would add to PP that before they’re in the workforce, most will be in college, where four day academic weeks are aspired to.

If FCPS intentionally and with rigorous data decided to go to a four day week for high school seniors, that wouldn’t bother me.

I feel completely opposite about elementary where the data supports repetition and routine, especially in early learning. All the disruptions when kids are doing critical skills (learning to read, in particular) is irresponsible from a pedagogical standpoint.

But of course FCPS doesn’t care.

Anonymous wrote:I might be an outlier but the number of 4-day weeks drives me bananas. I’d prefer a longer summer break so high schoolers can take advantage of seasonal employment, and also because the 4-day workweek is not really widespread as far as the real world goes, so we’re not teaching them to cope with the demands of a real job by having all these random 4-day weeks.

This kind of argument has never resonated with me. In daycare at age 4 the teachers would tell us they were stopping naps "because the kids won't be able to nap in the 5 year old class!" OK...so they'll be older then and will adapt. But right now they're 4 and need naps. Our students will adapt to 5-day workweeks when they need to. But right now it's fine to have 4-day weeks and be students/kids.

Anonymous wrote:I might be an outlier but the number of 4-day weeks drives me bananas. I’d prefer a longer summer break so high schoolers can take advantage of seasonal employment, and also because the 4-day workweek is not really widespread as far as the real world goes, so we’re not teaching them to cope with the demands of a real job by having all these random 4-day weeks.

Some schools do 4-day school weeks and they don't shorten summer!

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous! If kids cant handle 5 days of school without a needed break, there is something wrong. Why are your kids in such desperate need to sleep and catch up on week 3?

Also, I tried to get dr appointments either Tuesday or the half day yesterday and couldn't. So had to find another day to leave early for that as well. Its not convenient.

You must not have high school kids in AP classes or getting straight As or you’d understand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents of high schoolers: is anyone dreading the 5 day week next week?! Luckily it’s the last one of the quarter!

Last and only one in September.
October 6-10 and the last week of the quarter October 27-31 are full weeks.

Nope. PSAT is on Oct 8 so that’s a day off.

Also, Oct. 31 is an early release day.

Anonymous wrote:Parents of high schoolers: is anyone dreading the 5 day week next week?! Luckily it’s the last one of the quarter!

I wouldn't call it dread exactly, but I enjoy being able to sleep in a little, so next week is not going to be a good one.

Anonymous wrote:Parents of high schoolers: is anyone dreading the 5 day week next week?! Luckily it’s the last one of the quarter!

You're a hot mess! Or a teacher. But no, no one is "dreading" a 5 day school week!!