Private pools should not dictate the school calendar.

The best interests of the students and their education should be the first priority of the school board, with teachers' needs being second.

The sustainability of private clubs should be irrelevant to the school board's obligations. But, for those of you who prioritize pools -- I'm sure Megan McLaughlin will be voicing your opinions to the board. She was against starting Aug. 28th. I'm sure she'll be against starting any earlier. FWIW, there were several on the school board last time who asked if at least some schools could start 2 weeks earlier. They were told no. The board did discuss going two weeks earlier (instead of 1 week) and it was decided that they would ease into the "before Labor Day" start by doing only one week prior... at first. There was support for starting two weeks earlier but they didn't want to take 2 weeks off summer break to start that first year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Options A and B-no way. So they shortened summer last year and want to shorten it again this year? Wow. That's harsh. Kids in sports and band would start camps a week earlier-that means near the end of July? Weather can't always been depended on in early June. We like to buy a pool membership but probably would not if options A or B were chosen. We would barely make use of it. It was bad enough they started before Labor Day this year. It was tough for my kids and a lot of other kids I know.

The pools are empty in Augist.

Not that pool use should be the metric -- but they are empty in August because (1) everyone has had enough swim time by then and it's old news, and (2) many people leave town for vacations in Aug b/c Congress shuts down. So, yes, pools are generally not very full in Aug. People are excited about summer in June/right after Memorial Day. By August, they are looking toward the next thing and summer is a has-been.

The pools are packed in June and empty in August.

Pools are not going to lose any business by fcps starting mid August

They definitely will. Ours has August memberships that support the pool. Who is going to buy an August membership if school starts halfway through the month? Also, what happens if the VA general assembly decides that Fairfax can't have the waiver in a couple of years. The school year was just moved up and that had some push back. No reason to try to move it up further.

Anonymous wrote:Here is a calender from a school my oids once attended that starts in late August, gets out in May and still manages a full week for Thanksgiving/spring break and two full weeks for Christmas. Why can't fcps do something like this?

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0ahUKEwjfqaiBrKzXAhWC6CYKHdHEAjQQFggjMAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.esc20.net%2Fupload%2Fpage%2F0728%2Fdocs%2F2017_2018DistrictCalendars%2FRandolphISD.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3qMPDyLDizo82jnhVKEruz

Even adding snow days in we would still get out early June.

Because 165 days <> 180 days

Tuesday after Labor Day start. End Memorial Day.

Here is a calender from a school my oids once attended that starts in late August, gets out in May and still manages a full week for Thanksgiving/spring break and two full weeks for Christmas. Why can't fcps do something like this?

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0ahUKEwjfqaiBrKzXAhWC6CYKHdHEAjQQFggjMAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.esc20.net%2Fupload%2Fpage%2F0728%2Fdocs%2F2017_2018DistrictCalendars%2FRandolphISD.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3qMPDyLDizo82jnhVKEruz

Even adding snow days in we would still get out early June.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Options A and B-no way. So they shortened summer last year and want to shorten it again this year? Wow. That's harsh. Kids in sports and band would start camps a week earlier-that means near the end of July? Weather can't always been depended on in early June. We like to buy a pool membership but probably would not if options A or B were chosen. We would barely make use of it. It was bad enough they started before Labor Day this year. It was tough for my kids and a lot of other kids I know.

The pools are empty in Augist.

Not that pool use should be the metric -- but they are empty in August because (1) everyone has had enough swim time by then and it's old news, and (2) many people leave town for vacations in Aug b/c Congress shuts down. So, yes, pools are generally not very full in Aug. People are excited about summer in June/right after Memorial Day. By August, they are looking toward the next thing and summer is a has-been.

The pools are packed in June and empty in August.

Pools are not going to lose any business by fcps starting mid August

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Options A and B-no way. So they shortened summer last year and want to shorten it again this year? Wow. That's harsh. Kids in sports and band would start camps a week earlier-that means near the end of July? Weather can't always been depended on in early June. We like to buy a pool membership but probably would not if options A or B were chosen. We would barely make use of it. It was bad enough they started before Labor Day this year. It was tough for my kids and a lot of other kids I know.

The pools are empty in Augist.

Not that pool use should be the metric -- but they are empty in August because (1) everyone has had enough swim time by then and it's old news, and (2) many people leave town for vacations in Aug b/c Congress shuts down. So, yes, pools are generally not very full in Aug. People are excited about summer in June/right after Memorial Day. By August, they are looking toward the next thing and summer is a has-been.

Anonymous wrote:Where is spring break?

Spring Break is April 15 - 19

Anonymous wrote:Options A and B-no way. So they shortened summer last year and want to shorten it again this year? Wow. That's harsh. Kids in sports and band would start camps a week earlier-that means near the end of July? Weather can't always been depended on in early June. We like to buy a pool membership but probably would not if options A or B were chosen. We would barely make use of it. It was bad enough they started before Labor Day this year. It was tough for my kids and a lot of other kids I know.

The pools are empty in Augist.

Where is spring break?

Anonymous wrote:Choice C for sure...August is by far the besr month for the pool

+1

Choice C for sure...August is by far the besr month for the pool

Anonymous wrote:Getting out in early June makes it a lot easier for high school kids to get summer jobs -- which is vital for career practice/maturation.

As for pool memberships -- that's really not high on my list of priorities, nor should it be a consideration for the school board. About 30% of kids in FCPS get free or reduced priced meals.... I'm guessing they don't have pool memberships. And then there are many of us who do not have memberships. Pools are great -- but not a reason to set the school year calendar.

If ELEVEN days is not enough days for you to travel over Xmas break -- well, again, a problem for the very wealthy! I don't think we should be making school policy based on the needs of people who want to travel for 12 or more days as one time.

It might not be up on your list, but for some it is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Getting out in early June makes it a lot easier for high school kids to get summer jobs -- which is vital for career practice/maturation.

As for pool memberships -- that's really not high on my list of priorities, nor should it be a consideration for the school board. About 30% of kids in FCPS get free or reduced priced meals.... I'm guessing they don't have pool memberships. And then there are many of us who do not have memberships. Pools are great -- but not a reason to set the school year calendar.

If ELEVEN days is not enough days for you to travel over Xmas break -- well, again, a problem for the very wealthy! I don't think we should be making school policy based on the needs of people who want to travel for 12 or more days as one time.

I'm probably in the minority here but here's why I like two week winter breaks. We are dual working parent household. I would have a hard time taking off the week between Xmas and New Years bc that is so popular and everyone else wants it off. I like being able to take off the other less popular vacation week and actually getting a week off with my kids.

I'm not sure how getting out in early June helps HS kids get jobs. The college kids are out by mid may.

Not the PP, but I don't know that it helps them get jobs but they do lose hours at the end of August, beginning of September. Traditionally the HS kids get a boost in hours once the college kids go back to school in August and the HS kids pick the hours. That doesn't happen when the HS kids are going back earlier in August.

Anonymous wrote:Getting out in early June makes it a lot easier for high school kids to get summer jobs -- which is vital for career practice/maturation.

As for pool memberships -- that's really not high on my list of priorities, nor should it be a consideration for the school board. About 30% of kids in FCPS get free or reduced priced meals.... I'm guessing they don't have pool memberships. And then there are many of us who do not have memberships. Pools are great -- but not a reason to set the school year calendar.

If ELEVEN days is not enough days for you to travel over Xmas break -- well, again, a problem for the very wealthy! I don't think we should be making school policy based on the needs of people who want to travel for 12 or more days as one time.

I'm probably in the minority here but here's why I like two week winter breaks. We are dual working parent household. I would have a hard time taking off the week between Xmas and New Years bc that is so popular and everyone else wants it off. I like being able to take off the other less popular vacation week and actually getting a week off with my kids.

I'm not sure how getting out in early June helps HS kids get jobs. The college kids are out by mid may.