Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no point in having school on Christmas or New Year's. Too many teachers and students would not show up. It would be a useless day just like the days tacked on at the end. And that's also an issue for the Jewish holidays. I don't understand why anyone is proposing this as a solution.

Winter break can still be winter break. Get rid of Good Friday and Easter Monday. Yes I know “state requirement” but that’s a bill I could support — making those available for makeup days.

Yes, why don't you get right on that with your advocacy of changing that law that has been there for generations.

Or you could write the BOE and tell them it's important that MCPS put in more than 1 snow day into the calendar, and that it puts makeup days on the calendar that it intends to use. And that it submits the virtual learning plan for snow emergencies that it promised the BOE it would prepare in 2024. These 3 actions are more attainable.

Why not all of the above? Getting to a calendar with more actual makeup days and actual snow days will require going up some days off somewhere in the calendar. The reason why we have so many seemingly random days off is because we’re trying to accommodate everyone. There isn’t a way to accomplish your ask without taking holidays…

Fairfax County has similarly diverse holidays accomodated, but starts one week earlier than MCPS in August. Fine with me. Anything would better of this status quo of having kids not get 180 days of instructional time each year because MCPS refuses to put in snow days.

Lol whats with hitting this magical 180 days? Hint: IT'S MADE UP. Some states have 160. Some have 178. Some have 175. Some have no requirements at all when it comes to days. It's an imaginary number. It doesn't magically make learning happen. I can't believe this has to be explained to grown adults.

No, it doesn't "magically make learning happen," but learning doesn't happen without it. The 180 day requirement is very common across the country. And even in states with lower legal requirements, like Minnesota, local school districts still select something close to that.

Sorry, OP, but I support the bill and would encourage others too as well. Having both an hours AND a days requirement is stupid. Let it be one or the other.

Anonymous wrote:I would skip work and go testify against this. When and where?

It looks like the hearing was on the 19th. Of course this is being done without anyone’s attention to it. The best thing we can do is write our reps…

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1084?ys=2026RS

Anonymous wrote:If true that this bill would cover future years, why is this happening under cover or pretense of helping with this year’s snow days? Reducing school days permanently is a BFD.

It's not happening under cover or simple pretense of helping with snow days. Anne Arundel county's Bill passed last summer, and MCPS followed-up with a similar bill (in an effort to make this a universal in MD school systems). It's just that the legislature is voting on the bill earlier than planned (and considering making it retroactive to this year) because it would create needed flexibility due to the snowcrete storm. It's not new, it's not secret, and it's not unique.

Maryland is unusual in that it has two separate and unnecessary requirements for school systems to meet. As long as we meet a minimum number of hours (there are also parameters in the current law for minimum and maximum hours allowed per day), there's no reason to do it in a particular number of days. If this bill passed, we would not be able to move to a 4-day school week or do anything particularly drastic because of the parameters in the law regarding the actual school day structure.

We well exceed the minimum hourly requirement, even with the snow days we've had.

I would skip work and go testify against this. When and where?

For those who oppose this, how do we fight - and quickly?? Is there anyone leading the way?

Anonymous wrote:I have received no less than 3 emails asking me to sign petitions/letters to encourage the state legislature to pass this bill. I will not be signing and I hope this doesnt pass.

The bill carves out an exception for MCPS from every other school district in MD to not have a minimum number of days but only a minimum number of hours, in perpetuity. This is not just about this year, this is about how MCPS cares about our kids’ education into the future.

I’m frustrated as everyone else that MCPS is extending the school year until almost July, but simply exempting themselves out of requirements is not the solution. We need a better calendar. We need to recognize that not every group can get their holidays off (and I’m fully in favor of no group getting them off, including Christian holidays… and I’m not Christian, I’m Jewish for the record). We do not need to be reducing the amount of education available to our kids.

Do not sign the petitions and let your state reps know not to pass this bill.

Agree. This is a terrible bill. And it is not what MCPS needs. Half of stidents are below grade level in literacy and mathematics. They need MCPS to competently plan a calendar. To put more snow days in, even if that means starting earlier or eliminating religious holidays that do not have a significant impact on attendance. And to commit to using contingency days identified in the order they come up when we go over the number of snow days in the calendar. That would ensure that make-up days are not in June.

I am sorry to say that despite having written to my delegates and senators in opposition some time ago, I have not heard a peep from them. I imagine they are the ones pushing this. And for me this is a test vote — if they won’t do right by our students, I will not be voting for them again in the primary or general elections. I know others who feel the same way. But the MCPS and union interests are strong, and I exoect this bill will become law.

Anonymous wrote:If true that this bill would cover future years, why is this happening under cover or pretense of helping with this year’s snow days? Reducing school days permanently is a BFD.

Exactly. And they’re purposefully using the upset of pushing the school year to nearly July to do it.

If true that this bill would cover future years, why is this happening under cover or pretense of helping with this year’s snow days? Reducing school days permanently is a BFD.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no point in having school on Christmas or New Year's. Too many teachers and students would not show up. It would be a useless day just like the days tacked on at the end. And that's also an issue for the Jewish holidays. I don't understand why anyone is proposing this as a solution.

Winter break can still be winter break. Get rid of Good Friday and Easter Monday. Yes I know “state requirement” but that’s a bill I could support — making those available for makeup days.

Yes, why don't you get right on that with your advocacy of changing that law that has been there for generations.

Or you could write the BOE and tell them it's important that MCPS put in more than 1 snow day into the calendar, and that it puts makeup days on the calendar that it intends to use. And that it submits the virtual learning plan for snow emergencies that it promised the BOE it would prepare in 2024. These 3 actions are more attainable.

Why not all of the above? Getting to a calendar with more actual makeup days and actual snow days will require going up some days off somewhere in the calendar. The reason why we have so many seemingly random days off is because we’re trying to accommodate everyone. There isn’t a way to accomplish your ask without taking holidays…

Fairfax County has similarly diverse holidays accomodated, but starts one week earlier than MCPS in August. Fine with me. Anything would better of this status quo of having kids not get 180 days of instructional time each year because MCPS refuses to put in snow days.

Lol whats with hitting this magical 180 days? Hint: IT'S MADE UP. Some states have 160. Some have 178. Some have 175. Some have no requirements at all when it comes to days. It's an imaginary number. It doesn't magically make learning happen. I can't believe this has to be explained to grown adults.

Ok Jan. 180 days is what the Department of Education requires. And it's far belong the number of days many other advanced countries require. Why don't you state your name and educational credentials and advocate publicly for a change if you're so convinced that you're right.

If we can’t switch to counting minutes I would like to revisit the length of the school day. If the extra minutes count for nothing, make the days shorter, especially for the elementary kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no point in having school on Christmas or New Year's. Too many teachers and students would not show up. It would be a useless day just like the days tacked on at the end. And that's also an issue for the Jewish holidays. I don't understand why anyone is proposing this as a solution.

Winter break can still be winter break. Get rid of Good Friday and Easter Monday. Yes I know “state requirement” but that’s a bill I could support — making those available for makeup days.

Yes, why don't you get right on that with your advocacy of changing that law that has been there for generations.

Or you could write the BOE and tell them it's important that MCPS put in more than 1 snow day into the calendar, and that it puts makeup days on the calendar that it intends to use. And that it submits the virtual learning plan for snow emergencies that it promised the BOE it would prepare in 2024. These 3 actions are more attainable.

Why not all of the above? Getting to a calendar with more actual makeup days and actual snow days will require going up some days off somewhere in the calendar. The reason why we have so many seemingly random days off is because we’re trying to accommodate everyone. There isn’t a way to accomplish your ask without taking holidays…

Fairfax County has similarly diverse holidays accomodated, but starts one week earlier than MCPS in August. Fine with me. Anything would better of this status quo of having kids not get 180 days of instructional time each year because MCPS refuses to put in snow days.

Lol whats with hitting this magical 180 days? Hint: IT'S MADE UP. Some states have 160. Some have 178. Some have 175. Some have no requirements at all when it comes to days. It's an imaginary number. It doesn't magically make learning happen. I can't believe this has to be explained to grown adults.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no point in having school on Christmas or New Year's. Too many teachers and students would not show up. It would be a useless day just like the days tacked on at the end. And that's also an issue for the Jewish holidays. I don't understand why anyone is proposing this as a solution.

Winter break can still be winter break. Get rid of Good Friday and Easter Monday. Yes I know “state requirement” but that’s a bill I could support — making those available for makeup days.

Yes, why don't you get right on that with your advocacy of changing that law that has been there for generations.

Or you could write the BOE and tell them it's important that MCPS put in more than 1 snow day into the calendar, and that it puts makeup days on the calendar that it intends to use. And that it submits the virtual learning plan for snow emergencies that it promised the BOE it would prepare in 2024. These 3 actions are more attainable.

Why not all of the above? Getting to a calendar with more actual makeup days and actual snow days will require going up some days off somewhere in the calendar. The reason why we have so many seemingly random days off is because we’re trying to accommodate everyone. There isn’t a way to accomplish your ask without taking holidays…

Fairfax County has similarly diverse holidays accomodated, but starts one week earlier than MCPS in August. Fine with me. Anything would better of this status quo of having kids not get 180 days of instructional time each year because MCPS refuses to put in snow days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS already goes well above the required hours. Whoever thinks they are trying to pull a "fast one" hasn't done spent any time actually researching the bill or done a comparison to other states' requirements.

It does NOT let them have fewer school days.

Are you a shrill for the teachers union or MCPS? That’s literally what the plain language of the bill does. Right now MCPS is required, as every other district, to provide both days AND hours. The bill would say “eh, hours is fine.” I want more school for my kids, not less.

You are being ridiculous. More days where students learn nothing is wasted time. If you like to pretend that kids are learning just because they are physically inside the school building, then have at it I guess but it’s pretty dumb

So have teachers teach instead of playing movies. And add days to the calendar from the start everyone- teachers and families alike- know to plan for them.

I don't know why you're defending MCPS's obvious lack-of-effort here.

I plan on teaching in my class until the last day although that's going to make a lot of families who plan on skipping the last week very angry when a 92% becomes an 88% because the kid took 2 zeros when they went on vacation on June 17th

Good. That's what everyone should do. These have been on the calendar from the start. Anyone paying attention lot the process knew we would need to use them- obviously one built-in day wasn't going to be enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS already goes well above the required hours. Whoever thinks they are trying to pull a "fast one" hasn't done spent any time actually researching the bill or done a comparison to other states' requirements.

It does NOT let them have fewer school days.

Are you a shrill for the teachers union or MCPS? That’s literally what the plain language of the bill does. Right now MCPS is required, as every other district, to provide both days AND hours. The bill would say “eh, hours is fine.” I want more school for my kids, not less.

You are being ridiculous. More days where students learn nothing is wasted time. If you like to pretend that kids are learning just because they are physically inside the school building, then have at it I guess but it’s pretty dumb

So have teachers teach instead of playing movies. And add days to the calendar from the start everyone- teachers and families alike- know to plan for them.

I don't know why you're defending MCPS's obvious lack-of-effort here.

I plan on teaching in my class until the last day although that's going to make a lot of families who plan on skipping the last week very angry when a 92% becomes an 88% because the kid took 2 zeros when they went on vacation on June 17th