St. Mary’s schools propose new calendar

[awpitt]

St. Mary’s County’s public school superintendent said this week he is going to look at an extended school year that would move future first days of school to early August.
“I’ve been a proponent of a longer school year,” Superintendent Michael Martirano said, although the total number of class days would likely remain at 180.

SoMdNews.com: St. Mary’s schools propose new calendar

[drivingdaisy]

hmm... I see many pros and cons for an extended year. I think I like it more as it currently is, but I don't have a child in school now either.

One question I have is
Parents... Do you think it is easier to find care for a longer summer with shorter school year breaks? Or would it be easier to find care for a shorter summer break with longer school year breaks?

[RareBreed]

I hope Calvert County follows suit. Kids have way too many days off as it is.

[MMM_donuts]

What is the importance of having so much time off? Why don't kids go to school all year long with a schedule that mimics common work schedules? With time off for holidays and a possible vacation time?

Before anyone gets offended that I asked, I'm asking because I'd think it would be an easier transition into adulthood as well as harmonizing the relationship between work and child care for the parents. So, I'm just wondering if kids get 2-3 months off just to have a break from learning or if there is another reason.

[terbear1225]

originally it had to do with the need for kids to be home to help the family during the summer growing season. more recently it was, at least in some places, related to the lack of air conditioning in many school.

[MMM_donuts]

Cool.

[awpitt]

Keep in mind, this proposed calendar does not change the number of school days or the number of off days. In the article, you'll see that the number of instructional days remains at 180 which includes five snow days. The only thing this proposal would do is distribute the 180 days differently.

[sockgirl77 (Premo)]

My kids go to Chesapeake Public Charter School. Their schedule is August 7- June 13 for the 2012-2013 school year. Every other month they have a week off. They still get the 180 days in. I love it. They didn't mind the shortened summer. They still had plenty of time off.

[sockgirl77 (Premo)]

Board member Cathy Allen again this year brought up her concern that the many early dismissal days mean afternoon prekindergarten students end up going to school several days less than morning prekindergarten students.

“That continues to bother me,” Allen said, adding that prekindergarten students by the nature of the selection process are often the children that most need help because of their socioeconomic status or special needs.

She suggested the morning and afternoon classes alternate who will attend school on the early dismissal days.

This was done at Hollywood ES in 2008-2009 when my son was there.

[Severa]

Where I am from (Southeastern KY) school starts usually around the first or second week of August. In my experience, it was nice getting out of school during the last week of May (first week of June if we have snow days and they tend to freak out about snow just as bad as they do here). Only downside was for the FFA folks cause my county schools have always started about a week or so before the State Fairs, so they would be balancing schoolwork and competitions.