Starting School before Labor Day a Failing idea

[MAXUM]

A few thoughts from my perspective...

Teacher workshops need to be held during the school year because???? Why cannot these be held in the summer where there doesn't have to be a day off from school for the kids.

The days of snow days should be a thing of the past. There is no reason with technology today, everyone now a days has internet access, a phone, a computer etc... teachers could hold classes online during bad weather. Colleges have been doing this for a long time. In fact it could be argued that a conventional classroom isn't even needed anymore. Granted for the lower grades that may be a little tougher but seriously... let's get out of the stone age!

Why do schools today with their astronomical budgets not have A/C in the classroom? What the hell are they spending the money they get on?

[codeman671]

Our boys go to a private catholic K-8 school on the seacoast. They start after Labor Day, and seem to get out before all of the other schools around. They still have the same state mandates for number of days in session, plus have the catholic holidays that public schools don't take.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Our boys go to a private catholic K-8 school on the seacoast. They start after Labor Day, and seem to get out before all of the other schools around. They still have the same state mandates for number of days in session, plus have the catholic holidays that public schools don't take.

exactly my thoughts

[Descant]

I was a Sales Rep for most of my professional life. At the end of the week, my manager asked "What did you sell?" He NEVER asked "how many days did you take off because it snowed?"
Teacher workshops: I pay a plumber or a doctor to do the job. I expect him/her to be trained before they get the job, not OJT on my nickel.

This really has nothing to do with education. Not so long ago, but still in another century, school started after Labor Day. Same with school sports. Then, a coach figured out that if he started practice on August 15, he was 18 days ahead of all the other coaches. If you wanted to be on the team, you had to quit your summer job and show up for practice. It just grew from there. More games, start earlier, then the band had to start practicing earlier. This was paid for by the Booster Clubs, not taxpayers. In my opinion, then those who had no booster club (academics) wanted in. And now, here we are.
Notice, private schools start after Labor Day and end in May or early June. How? They have longer days. How simple is that?
Also notice, if you're a graduating HS senior, the year is much shorter. Teachers need all the grades and papers in, and we need time for "Senior Week".

Pardon my cynicism, but the number of days needs reconsideration.

BTW, I think Gilford schools are air-conditioned. I think I helped pay for it.

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Descant

Notice, private schools start after Labor Day and end in May or early June. How? They have longer days. How simple is that?
Also notice, if you're a graduating HS senior, the year is much shorter. Teachers need all the grades and papers in, and we need time for "Senior Week".

Private schools do not receive federal or state funding so the are not required to have a certain amount of school days.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Private schools do not receive federal or state funding so the are not required to have a certain amount of school days.

IN NH anyways the following applies to "non public" schools which does not deviate from the requirements of public schools. Note the requirement is defined by hours of instruction and not by number of days. Accreditation has nothing to do with educational requirements.


HAPTER Ed 400 APPROVAL OF NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS

Statutory Authority: RSA 186:11, XXIX; RSA 21-N:9, II


Ed 401.03 School Year.



(a) Each non-public school shall maintain a school year consisting of the following number of hours of instructional time:



(1) In kindergarten at least 450 hours;



(2) In grades one through 6, at least 945 hours; and



(3) In grades 7 through 12 at least 990 hours.

[Garcia]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Our boys go to a private catholic K-8 school on the seacoast. They start after Labor Day, and seem to get out before all of the other schools around. They still have the same state mandates for number of days in session, plus have the catholic holidays that public schools don't take.

My school starts before Labor Day. To get in the required 180 days, have the week or so off around Christmas, a February and April vacation, take Federal Holidays, and have a plan to make up snow days (Blizzard bags are being explored and probably adopted but I want to be sure the work is meaningful and not busy work just to check off a box), we either start before Labor Day or risk getting out in late June. Last year nearby schools who started after Labor Day went until the last week in June while we were out almost a week sooner. In my experience far more learning takes place in September as opposed to June.

Here in Mass Catholic and independent schools are not required to be in session for 180 days. Instead, they answer to their accrediting bodies. Some choose to follow the public school calendar while others do not.

I also have to add that teachers come back two days before the students so at least here, we are not starting before Labor Day to accommodate them.

[Seaplane Pilot]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

A few thoughts from my perspective...

Teacher workshops need to be held during the school year because???? Why cannot these be held in the summer where there doesn't have to be a day off from school for the kids.

The days of snow days should be a thing of the past. There is no reason with technology today, everyone now a days has internet access, a phone, a computer etc... teachers could hold classes online during bad weather. Colleges have been doing this for a long time. In fact it could be argued that a conventional classroom isn't even needed anymore. Granted for the lower grades that may be a little tougher but seriously... let's get out of the stone age!

Why do schools today with their astronomical budgets not have A/C in the classroom? What the hell are they spending the money they get on?

Amen, Maxum! As a matter of fact, I think they should go year-round!

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

Amen, Maxum! As a matter of fact, I think they should go year-round!

Why do you think they should go all year-round? We didn't and many of us have done fairly well.

[Seaplane Pilot]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Why do you think they should go all year-round? We didn't and many of us have done fairly well.

Because the lake has been blissfully quiet all of this week!

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

Because the lake has been blissfully quiet all of this week!

That is true...

It'll be quieter next week

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Why do you think they should go all year-round? We didn't and many of us have done fairly well.

It's like sleep. Can't stay awake 100% of the time. Need to refresh the brain cell periodically...

Betcha Seaplane Pilot takes a yearly vacation!

[Seaplane Pilot]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

It's like sleep. Can't stay awake 100% of the time. Need to refresh the brain cell periodically...

Betcha Seaplane Pilot takes a yearly vacation!

I’ll take that bet, Gary! Last vacation was in 2007, and it was a working vacation. But I’m not complaining!

[Dave R]

They really should do away with either February or April vacation. Don't really need both. April is a crappy month to have a week off so I would do away with that one and use the time saved for the week before Labor Day.

[Trail Goer]

Originally Posted by Dave R

They really should do away with either February or April vacation. Don't really need both. April is a crappy month to have a week off so I would do away with that one and use the time saved for the week before Labor Day.

I agree. February is the one they should and need to keep, those are big weeks (if you include MA vacation) for those that make their living in the winter. At the very least April should be pending until the end of January. Keep it but if you already have 5 snow days by the end of January or even February, then the vacation goes away.

[Trail Goer]

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

Amen, Maxum! As a matter of fact, I think they should go year-round!

That will never happen. There's too much money involved with summer vacations, not just in this state but across the entire country. Places like Hampton Beach, Weirs Beach would be out of business if they lost the vacationers, it would be like that all across the country for places that make much of their living in those 2 to 3 months. Local economies would suffer tremendously.