I'm a teacher and I am in favor of going to year round school. It should not increase techer salaries because you are spreading out the summer weeks off throughout the year. I would like the flexibility to travel during other times of the year without taking time off or traveling over holidays where prices are increased. I would prefer this over increasing the student day. The kids are ready to leave at 3. Of course, if it means more time for the arts, then it would be worth it. Kids don't get nough time to enjoy the arts.

Anonymous wrote:Just received a phone message from MCPS about the public hearings for proposed changes for bell times.
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/belltimesworkgroup/index.aspx

ES and HS students will be ones who will be affected mostly. It would be interesting to hear what DCUM parents think.

What a distraction. Just like it is every few years when a district broaches the topic.
MCPS has a lot more important things to worry about, focus on, and improve. Like teaching to every kids potential, ESL, union issues, budget issues, bringing back extracurriculars, free breakfast/lunch/weekend meals, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Well, teachers are only currently paid for 10 months, so salary costs would increase for the school system (and therefore taxpayers) by 10% if we added another month to the school year and took only the month of July off....not to mention paying cafeteria workers, paraeducators, bus drivers, attendance secretaries, etc etc who are all only paid hourly for another month.

Drop in the bucket. The school budget problem is the unsustainable pensions and benefits, not the operating costs.

I went to a discussion about this last night. While I understand the reasons for the proposal, I'm not sure it is worth the costs (which include increased teacher salaries for elementary school teachers for extending the school day and buying more buses, which they said they will need with the changed times.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a working parent I also support the proposed new times. The old ones were barbaric.

Agreed. The HS students need more sleep. Their sleep cycle is messed up for a few years and they are basically sleepy and inattentive in the mornings.

+1

-WOHM with two kids, 16 and 13

For me the HS change is a no brainer. My ideal schedule would be to keep MS as is. For elementary school (if ideal) start 30 minutes earlier with the extended day. For K-2, add additional recess. For 3-5, add computer and brief introduction to Foreign Language. Of course no budget for these so I do think the proposed changed are better than the status quo.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am all for the new schedule.

I am SAHM. I have kids in ES, MS and HS.

I feel it is the right schedule based on kids needs and not the needs of parents and businesses.

We will adjust to the changes when they will come.

I also advocate - more breaks during the school year and a shorter summer vacation. Again - after a couple of years, we all will adjust to the inconvenience.

How is this an inconvenience for you? You don't work, honey bun.

You can choose to not work as well. Who's stopping you from quitting your job?

And the new schedule is actually MORE convenient for this working parent.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am all for the new schedule.

I am SAHM. I have kids in ES, MS and HS.

I feel it is the right schedule based on kids needs and not the needs of parents and businesses.

We will adjust to the changes when they will come.

I also advocate - more breaks during the school year and a shorter summer vacation. Again - after a couple of years, we all will adjust to the inconvenience.

How is this an inconvenience for you? You don't work, honey bun.

And because you work, you are willing to NOT DO what is best for the kids, because it will inconvenience you ? Is that your only objection?

I hope they disregard the opinion of self-centered parents like you. Seriously, why do people have kids when they are such a burden to them? We are not an endangered species, not everyone has to procreate!

Amen - the sarky honey bun comment was uncalled for. Someone seems upset to be a working mom.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am all for the new schedule.

I am SAHM. I have kids in ES, MS and HS.

I feel it is the right schedule based on kids needs and not the needs of parents and businesses.

We will adjust to the changes when they will come.

I also advocate - more breaks during the school year and a shorter summer vacation. Again - after a couple of years, we all will adjust to the inconvenience.

How is this an inconvenience for you? You don't work, honey bun.

And because you work, you are willing to NOT DO what is best for the kids, because it will inconvenience you ? Is that your only objection?

I hope they disregard the opinion of self-centered parents like you. Seriously, why do people have kids when they are such a burden to them? We are not an endangered species, not everyone has to procreate!

Anonymous wrote:The later HS time is a no-brainer.

The longer ES day gave me pause at first, but if they use the extra time for more recess or physical activity, I would be all for it. As a parent of boys, I think it is torture to give them 30 minute recess every day and 1 PE class a week. I don't think dumping more information on them helps. Rather, I think they need to be made more receptive to information by giving them physical activity.

Agreed. More physical activity for ES is a better use of the time.

The laer HS time is a no-brainer.

The longer ES day gave me pause at first, but if they use the extra time for more recess or physical activity, I would be all for it. As a parent of boys, I think it is torture to give them 30 minute recess every day and 1 PE class a week. I don't think dumping more information on them helps. Rather, I think they need to be made more receptive to information by giving them physical activity.

Anonymous wrote:As a working parent I also support the proposed new times. The old ones were barbaric.

Agreed. The HS students need more sleep. Their sleep cycle is messed up for a few years and they are basically sleepy and inattentive in the mornings.

As a working parent I also support the proposed new times. The old ones were barbaric.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am all for the new schedule.

I am SAHM. I have kids in ES, MS and HS.

I feel it is the right schedule based on kids needs and not the needs of parents and businesses.

We will adjust to the changes when they will come.

I also advocate - more breaks during the school year and a shorter summer vacation. Again - after a couple of years, we all will adjust to the inconvenience.

How is this an inconvenience for you? You don't work, honey bun.

You can choose to not work as well. Who's stopping you from quitting your job?

Anonymous wrote:I am all for the new schedule.

I am SAHM. I have kids in ES, MS and HS.

I feel it is the right schedule based on kids needs and not the needs of parents and businesses.

We will adjust to the changes when they will come.

I also advocate - more breaks during the school year and a shorter summer vacation. Again - after a couple of years, we all will adjust to the inconvenience.

How is this an inconvenience for you? You don't work, honey bun.