Surveys are for show. FCPS administration does what they want when they want. Don’t give a damn what parents or students opinions are, they are professional educators they know what is best.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They sent out calendar surveys. My guess is this is the result of that.

You do know those surveys are all a joke, right?
The SB sends them out simply so they can say they asked for public input, but their decision was already made way before their pointless surveys were even put together.

Evidence?

Anonymous wrote:It’s too damn hot in August to have school. School should start in September and end in early to mid June.

x10000

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s too damn hot in August to have school. School should start in September and end in early to mid June.

We're arguing the same thing, but a different outcome. I think it's so hot out in august, might as well go sit in the air conditioned classrooms.

Lots of school systems start in August.

I taught school and we always started before Labor Day. Kids are ready to go back to school--but in the spring they are ready to get out. This business of going weeks into June is crazy.

Anonymous wrote:It’s too damn hot in August to have school. School should start in September and end in early to mid June.

We're arguing the same thing, but a different outcome. I think it's so hot out in august, might as well go sit in the air conditioned classrooms.

Anonymous wrote:They sent out calendar surveys. My guess is this is the result of that.

You do know those surveys are all a joke, right?
The SB sends them out simply so they can say they asked for public input, but their decision was already made way before their pointless surveys were even put together.

Anonymous wrote:They sent out calendar surveys. My guess is this is the result of that.

Really? I kind of figured they send that out for the “optics” of inclusion/participation, but then do what fits their agenda best anyway.

I have no faith or trust in them.

Anonymous wrote:Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William Counties have all seen the light and shortened their winter breaks this year. They have 12 days (including weekends) and FCPS has 17 days (including weekends.)

That is ludicrous.

Until we have a school board that stays in their own lane and puts educating our kids at the forefront of their mission, this is going to perpetuate. More staff development days, more religious holidays, longer winter and spring breaks…. Why do they have off Veteran’s Day?! They used to be in school and honor the Veterans with special programs.

They will be going back to two week winter breaks after this school year because they already released their calendar. Secondly, it is very common to have 2 weeks off winter break. In other countries they actually get three weeks off.

They sent out calendar surveys. My guess is this is the result of that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have friends in California that started school yesterday - so the trend overall is earlier start dates.

Wow that is nuts.

I think they take a 1 week break in October and February, in addition to Winter and Spring Break.

Anonymous wrote:It’s too damn hot in August to have school. School should start in September and end in early to mid June.

You do realize that it was 63 degrees this morning... and it is very temperate right now... right?

Kind of a bad argument to make that it's "too hot."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate it. One week before Labor Day is fine. Beyond that and you pretty much lose August as a vacation month. Same for June. Beyond 1.5 weeks takes away that month as a vacation month. Plus the water in the pools is colder then. With all the activities starting in August, it makes sense to have 8 weeks free of activities for families to actually have a break from school.

YOU HAVE THREE FULL WEEKS in August to vacate and that isn't enough for you? You can't make a vacation to fit in a three week period? I think that's a planning or mental failure on your part, not a failure of the school calendar.

NO you don't have 3 more weeks of vacay.

You clearly don't have kids in HS sports or band.

Those are your choices for how your and your kids spend their time. If you want to go on vacation, there IS time in August to do so. We ALL have the same 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. We all make our own priorities on how to use it. If, as you or PP suggested, that school start one week before Labor Day, you would still have kids in sports practice for three weeks before that -- and I wouldn't. Pick and choose. But, your kids being in sports for three weeks prior to school starting does not mean that there isn't any time in August for most people to take any vacation.

It’s too damn hot in August to have school. School should start in September and end in early to mid June.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate it. One week before Labor Day is fine. Beyond that and you pretty much lose August as a vacation month. Same for June. Beyond 1.5 weeks takes away that month as a vacation month. Plus the water in the pools is colder then. With all the activities starting in August, it makes sense to have 8 weeks free of activities for families to actually have a break from school.

YOU HAVE THREE FULL WEEKS in August to vacate and that isn't enough for you? You can't make a vacation to fit in a three week period? I think that's a planning or mental failure on your part, not a failure of the school calendar.

NO you don't have 3 more weeks of vacay.

You clearly don't have kids in HS sports or band.

NP- who the hell wants a vacation in August?! Or even in summer?! It's disgustingly hot nearly everywhere.

I would prefer 6 weeks off for summer. Year round school with larger breaks between quarters. Less religious holidays off and less random days off.

August is typically cheaper to travel b/c most school systems are back in session.

OBX was actually affordable when you rent in the 3rd week of Aug., for example.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate it. One week before Labor Day is fine. Beyond that and you pretty much lose August as a vacation month. Same for June. Beyond 1.5 weeks takes away that month as a vacation month. Plus the water in the pools is colder then. With all the activities starting in August, it makes sense to have 8 weeks free of activities for families to actually have a break from school.

YOU HAVE THREE FULL WEEKS in August to vacate and that isn't enough for you? You can't make a vacation to fit in a three week period? I think that's a planning or mental failure on your part, not a failure of the school calendar.

NO you don't have 3 more weeks of vacay.

You clearly don't have kids in HS sports or band.

NP- who the hell wants a vacation in August?! Or even in summer?! It's disgustingly hot nearly everywhere.

I would prefer 6 weeks off for summer. Year round school with larger breaks between quarters. Less religious holidays off and less random days off.