How would any HS gain work experience if summer was only 6 weeks? I doubt a resteraunt would hire for 6 weeks? Maybe it's just me, but the value of a summer job is pretty important.

Anonymous wrote:I don't want them to change to year round school. Plus, the teachers in FCPS still need raises, they just spent millions we don't have for changing to full day Mondays, and they just spent millions we don't have for later high school times, and there are many kids (illegal?) (1,000?) that have come in and that will cost $ also.

I agree teachers need a raise first. The next up on the agenda should be a year round school or modified school schedule. We need to step it up. Out with the old and in with the new. It can be done.

I don't want them to change to year round school. Plus, the teachers in FCPS still need raises, they just spent millions we don't have for changing to full day Mondays, and they just spent millions we don't have for later high school times, and there are many kids (illegal?) (1,000?) that have come in and that will cost $ also.

FCPS would never do this- not even going to consider this given the admin mindset.

The evidence that it is better is out there. When I worked in Ed policy, I read several studies on this topic.

The problem is changing mindsets and schedules. It does present economic ramifications, as others have mentioned, but that is because we've arranged things around the current schedule for a long time. Things would change over time, but there would be bumps along the way.

But districts that have switched to this schedule are pretty happy they did.

I would support it if there was overwhelming evidence that its best for the kids.

But from my perspective, I spend the entire school year looking forward to that nice long break. Its a whole different world in the summer when you work full time. Its like you have two jobs-its so damn exhausting. Working all day, commuting, and dealing with coming home to job number two-projects, homework--add that to housework, laundry, dinner, sports and its a totally exhausting season.

When summer comes I literally want to cry I am so happy. One job, come home at night and only have the house stuff to deal with. Its so awesome.

We did a school with a modified calendar and LOVED it. Personally I think the shorter but more frequent breaks are great for kids instead of the long slog from September to June.