Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be no days off for any religious holidays. That would be most equal. I would say the kids shouldn’t get Christmas off but it is a national holiday. Spring break should not be scheduled around Easter either. Fair is fair.

Good luck on staffing the schools on Christmas day - or maybe it wont be so hard to do since only a fraction of kids would show up. It's not even that it's a christian holiday, it's that a lot of families celebrate it, even the non religious ones.

Which brings it back to having off when it impacts staffing/ student attendance - that's the whole reason they extended thanksgiving break.

If this is an attendance issue, then please explain why you need a whole week to celebrate Christmas and Easter and need the Monday after Easter off too. Wouldn’t it make more sense to have winter break after first semester? And spring break in between quarters?

Nobody wants that Monday after Easter. That's a dumb old state law that they are too lazy to change. Most people don't want spring break to line up with Easter, either, but we are also stuck with that due to the dumb state law that requires both Good Friday and Easter Monday off -- so they save a day by making spring break one of those two weeks. I think a lot of Christians would prefer that spring break NOT overlap with their major religious holiday, since it sets you up for an unpleasant duel between the religious/family obligations and actually taking a fun spring break.

Closing the last week of the year doesn't have a lot to do with religion -- that's just the week that most people in the entire country take off work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so stupid.
The only religious holidays ghat should be non instructional days are the ones that sufficiently impact teacher attendance that it makes it infeasible to have classes. Eg if more than 10% of teachers will call out for a given holiday, it probably makes sense to give that as a non instructional day. Period. People need to stop feeling like this is a judgment on how important or respected their religion is.

Are there data on this? Do you think no Muslims work at McPS? Or do you only think Jewish people work for MCPS and not Muslims because those are the people you socialize with?

There was in the past (the data drove the Jewish holiday policies - the county didn't have sufficient substitutes to cover projected teacher absences), but MCPS demographics have changed so I don't know that it's current. I agree with previous PP that MCPS should calculate these numbers and make a policy based on them.

+1 I think to reflexively say that there must be 3 Jewish holidays on the calendar because it's damaging to staffing should be something grounded in data. I saw some posts on one of the MoCo facebook sites that that there are a good number of Muslim MCPS staff members, perhaps not as many in teaching roles, but in facilities, bus drivers etc. It shouldn't just be that certain holidays are days off are because people think there are a lot of Jewish staff members and not a lot of Muslim staff members.

That said, MCPS announced that Eid would be the makeup day on its calendar over a year ago. No one complained then (or if they did, they were overruled), it's stupid for the Councilmembers to come in now and try to overrule the process that occurred, in a way that shortchanges kids instructional time.

Anonymous wrote:Public schools in Long Island only had 1 day off for this storm. Same storm.

NYC public schools had zero days off. Monday was virtual (and unlike MCPS NYC has a virtual learning plan in place for weather emergencies), and then back to school on Tuesday.
Long Island went back fast, but the district where I have family friends, they have built into their snow day policy that the first day is off, and then they automatically pivot to virtual if the roads aren't clear. It's not like they don't know how to do virtual after more than a year of COVID. They also told kids to make sure to bring their laptops home the Friday before the storm, unlike MCPS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so stupid.
The only religious holidays ghat should be non instructional days are the ones that sufficiently impact teacher attendance that it makes it infeasible to have classes. Eg if more than 10% of teachers will call out for a given holiday, it probably makes sense to give that as a non instructional day. Period. People need to stop feeling like this is a judgment on how important or respected their religion is.

Are there data on this? Do you think no Muslims work at McPS? Or do you only think Jewish people work for MCPS and not Muslims because those are the people you socialize with?

There was in the past (the data drove the Jewish holiday policies - the county didn't have sufficient substitutes to cover projected teacher absences), but MCPS demographics have changed so I don't know that it's current. I agree with previous PP that MCPS should calculate these numbers and make a policy based on them.

Their school calendar policy does convey this idea, but there aren't any specific measures:

Other Operational Needs and Educational Interests

The Board may determine that schools should be closed at other times in
furtherance of other educational interests or operational needs:
a) For example, while each case must be evaluated independently, the
likelihood of high absentee rates on any given day for staff and/or students,
either districtwide or at a substantial portion of schools, may warrant closure
of all schools if necessary to secure educational resources, promote safe
school environments when it would otherwise be difficult and costly to
identify and hire a sufficient number of substitute teachers, and/or avoid
disruption to the delivery of effective and meaningful instruction.
b) To close schools districtwide on any day other than those mandated by
Maryland law, the district must establish that a school closure furthers a
secular purpose, such as any of the operational needs or educational
interests enumerated above. A student’s observance of a religious holiday
is an excused absence under Maryland law.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so stupid.
The only religious holidays ghat should be non instructional days are the ones that sufficiently impact teacher attendance that it makes it infeasible to have classes. Eg if more than 10% of teachers will call out for a given holiday, it probably makes sense to give that as a non instructional day. Period. People need to stop feeling like this is a judgment on how important or respected their religion is.

Are there data on this? Do you think no Muslims work at McPS? Or do you only think Jewish people work for MCPS and not Muslims because those are the people you socialize with?

There was in the past (the data drove the Jewish holiday policies - the county didn't have sufficient substitutes to cover projected teacher absences), but MCPS demographics have changed so I don't know that it's current. I agree with previous PP that MCPS should calculate these numbers and make a policy based on them.

Public schools in Long Island only had 1 day off for this storm. Same storm.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

That's not the issue. My child has a 1:1 to repeat instructions, sometimes act as a scribe, and to manage SIBs. How are they going to do that virtually?

There's a section in the virtual learning plan template for snow emergencies for the state of Maryland where each school district writes down how they will manage kids with special needs.

If NYC which is 10x bigger than MCPS can manage a snow emergency virtual learning plan, and PG County which is way poorer than MCPS can manage a virtual learning plan, MCPS can too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most logical solution here is to cut back on spring break days.

That’s risky.

The reality is many teachers, staff, and students booked travel using the calendared spring break holiday.

Plus, the state has a policy that Good Friday and Easter Monday are holidays for a reason…and I get the history behind it is staff travel around Easter.

Watch out, there are some people around here who will lecture you on planning travel when school is closed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re right that Eid should never have been a makeup day in the first place, but I appreciate the council members efforts to try and get a waiver.

This.

Worse than not speaking up when it was hypothetical is not speaking up when it’s a certainty.

This makes no sense. The alternative to Eid is June, not getting a waiver

There's April 15, too. Although, we're going to need to use that to ask for the waiver. Presumably MCPS knows how to read regulations...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

That's not the issue. My child has a 1:1 to repeat instructions, sometimes act as a scribe, and to manage SIBs. How are they going to do that virtually?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re right that Eid should never have been a makeup day in the first place, but I appreciate the council members efforts to try and get a waiver.

This.

Worse than not speaking up when it was hypothetical is not speaking up when it’s a certainty.

This makes no sense. The alternative to Eid is June, not getting a waiver

June is just half days, when videos are shown to kids while teachers clean out their classrooms. At least, that's what my two kids experienced last year. Teachers are done teaching, and it's particularly damaging for HS kids who need instructional time before June for AP and IB exams to compete with other kids nationally.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re right that Eid should never have been a makeup day in the first place, but I appreciate the council members efforts to try and get a waiver.

This.

Worse than not speaking up when it was hypothetical is not speaking up when it’s a certainty.

This makes no sense. The alternative to Eid is June, not getting a waiver

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

The good Councilmembers of MoCo could have said something about how they are encouraging MCPS to prepare the "virtual learning for weather emergencies" plan, they promised to produce in 2024. It's ridiculous that their "best solution" is to apply for a waiver that just denies kids instructional time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.

I call BS, it doesn’t fail students, yes it’s not as effective but kids are on screens all the time anyway. Did my kids play video games during virtual school, yes, but I stopped them when I could. Teachers can also require cameras on. It’s still better than dragging school into summer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:March 20th was always designated on the approved calendar as a make up day…if this was a priority then this concern should have been raised prior to the calendar being adopted. You can’t be mad the school system is using the days they always designated as make up days in case of snow.

As a teacher I’m happy to have another instructional day with my students prior to AP exams after losing 5 days of school when AP exams happen in May no matter what. Adding days to the end of the year doesn’t help once the AP exams are over.

They also have April 15 designated but apparently aren’t using it because of teachers needing the end of term time. You good with giving that up too?

DP. That’s up to the teachers. Or would you prefer a delay in grades? Or are you going to force teachers to work on their personal time and MCPS violate it’s union contract?

March 20th was on the calendar as a make up day, and it vi es before April 15yh. Why didn’t you complain last year before MCPS finalized its school calendar?

We did complain

And what was the result? Do you think that complaining now in the face of a desperate need to make up snow days will resonate with the vast majority of MCPS families? You should complain about MCPS closing at the drop of a hat.

Actually, the fault is MoCo, cities, Maryland, and MCPS now sending crews to clean until well after the storm ended and then giving up!

So virtual learning would have been the answer - and that falls squarely on MCPS.

no, that would be failing students yet another way.