Waiving Summer Vacation Good-Bye?

Due to the fourth most miserable winter in the history of weather history, the HCPSS had nine snow days this year.  Problem of course is, it only had planned five snow days.  Therefore, the HCPSS asked for a waiver of four snow days from the Maryland State Department of Education.

Typically, the MSDE agrees to counties' requests to provide waivers for snow days.  But.... that was other years.  This was the fourth most miserable winter in the history of weather history.  And so recently, Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County have had their waiver requests.... DENIED!!!  Which provides much sadness amongst not only the kiddies, but also parents who had planned vacations.

The HCPSS waiver request, as of the time of this writing, has yet to receive action from the MSDE.  Will it be approved?  Denied?  Maybe partially approved?

For once, this is the sort of thing regarding which I can't even venture a guess.  Although, I kind of think it's a good idea that kids have school for 180 days of instruction a year.  Note I said "of instruction".  Days spent mostly movie watching towards the end of the year don't count.  They don't for me, at least. And I've complained about this before.

The state action will come any day now.  I doubt that if the waiver is granted, that there will be much complaining.  But if not, and the school year is extended, I expect to hear the anguished cries of many an aggrieved parent, what with an extended school year crashing into vacation or summer camp plans.

I've been in that situation as an HCPSS parent and to be honest, I can't say as I'm sympathetic.  Or particularly mind.  Maybe someone can convince me one way or the other on this?

Happy Ferret Day!

Let's be careful out there.

#hocoschools

Comments

[misszippy]

I truly wish we had a system set up where they'd yank away some of the professional days (I know teachers will hate me for saying this). But seriously, do we need that Thursday after spring break off? Take your kids to work day? Let's put some days back where the kids WILL get instruction, unlike the movie watching at the end of the year.

[md_resident]

misszippy hits the nail on the head. Get rid of most of those professional days, regardless if we had any snow or not.

[Steffi]

My question is - are these parents who are crying anguish over ruined vacation plans the same ones who posted scathing comments on the HoCo School System FB page every time the schools remained open when there were two inches of snow? You can't have it both ways.

[Anne]

I actually wrote a note to the BOE. I don't think we need to wring our hands about Summer vacation just yet. But, I think we need to regain instructional time. The nine days were compounded by a lot of late openings (confess I don't have the actual #).

There are five days left in the HCPSS calendar (excluding the 6 for Spring break) that are obvious candidates for make-ups:
1) Thursday, April 24 - schools closed for countywide professional development (with the April 21 Easter Monday holiday there are actually two closures in the same week)
2) Friday, May 16 - schools closed for Articulation Day
3) Monday, June 16 - 3-hour early dismissal
4) Tuesday, June 17 - 3-hour early dismissal
5) Wednesday, June 18 - 3-hour early dismissal

The State Superintendent encouraged districts to be "earnest in looking at ways to make-up days instead of just requesting a waiver."

Why should HCPSS take a shortcut and shortchange our students?