Frustrated over school calendar

[pvalues]

We homeschool our kids and have all 3 boys since they started at age 4. No problems with vacation, no whining teachers, just one-on-one schooling. We have gone in February, July, September, and December (middle of month) and found the middle of December to be the least crowded of the other times we went. Also much cooler, 80's during the day, and high 50's to high 60's at night.

 

[pvalues]

I forgot to add, we are going middle November this year and are looking forward to it.

 

[conciergekelly]

My kids are high school and college age. This makes it even harder because their breaks don't match, work, sports etc. I had to resort to 4th of July and Christmas. Ugh! We've learned to adapt. My teens are night owls so we (they) sleep in, go to pool, dinner and extra magic hour. Seems to work well. We still have fun. I am just glad they still want to go.

 

[Snow Shoe]

Blame the Texas legislature. My heart goes out to you itsreally4mommy. Back in 06-07' the Texas legislature, passed a bill that said school couldn't start before Labor Day and no exemptions would be allowed. Schools that in years past that had usually started in very early August, ended by mid to late May are now having to go till mid June to finish. Also since all Texas school campuses are graded by the TEKS and AEIS report card issued by TEA, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if in the future, TEA extends the school year by 5-10 more days.

As a retired Texas seconday teacher of 23y's, and higher ed teacher of 18y's its only going to get worse with less time time off for all. I see other options being considered, such as a longer school day, longer school year, trying the year round school year programs again (retro back to mid 70's teaching idea...I didn't like it then either as a teacher...lots more headaches then worth).

Kids as well as teachers need time to be off an re-group, re-energize...whatever you want to call it. Summer is a a good time as any to do this.

 

[srp1103]

Figures. Teachers get cranky if they don't get their summers off. The rest of us are doing great if we can have an entire weekend off more than once a month. It was April this year before I got my first day off.

I feel it is disrespectful to lump all teachers into one category. There are many teachers on these boards and this comment could be offensive to many. As far as teachers being off for summers, that is laughable. Contrary to belief, teachers do not get summers off. I happen to be a teacher and I am currently in professional development from 8am - 5:30 pm for the week. This is only one of many professional development courses my district requires us to attend. Most teachers also do not earn vacation time, so if you think about it teachers are in the same boat as those with children. We too need to take our vacations at the busiest seasons.

 

[mrsswat]

for years. Our youngest just graduated college this May, and we're still going in August because I teach and the powers that pay me kind of frown upon taking a vacation during the school year when you do have 2 1/2 months off to do it Anyway, we actually like going in August now, no rush to get home, no rush to "get ready" to return to school on Monday. You'll get used to it, might even enjoy the slower pace you have to take at DW in the summer.

 

[arthur06]

I was really surprised this year that our school starts August 19th. Normally we have about 3-7 days before Labor Day, but this year its 2 1/2 weeks!

 

[plymouthmom]

Just wanted to piggy back on the teacher comments. I am a pre k teacher and I work a different job in the summer, as do most of my teacher friends. So....we don't actually "get" our summers off.

 

[AKV707]

Agreed.

Also, I think it's a matter of time before year-long school catches on. The school year evolved with long summer "vacations" because we used to live in a primarily agrarian society where the children were expected to assist with farming and harvesting.

I don't know of too many kids nowadays who work at farming and harvesting (granted I don't live in a rural area). But the point is, I don't think this applies to the majority of American school children.

I think year-long school would be beneficial to both parents and children. I think parents may have more say and more flexibility in when they can pull their kids out of school (whether that is for vacations, other educational opportunities or family obligations). Kids would likely have better retention of what they've learned. I know I forgot an awful lot of stuff over summer vacation

But, to get back on point. Yup, I think teachers are not gonna like it, but they don't need to be sharing that with the kids.

I don't think that year long school is in the future. There is no research to suggest that would increase student achievement and learning. And with the embedding of technology,and the use of web 2.0, the brick and mortar school will definitely not be needed all year long.

 

[starbox]

Figures. Teachers get cranky if they don't get their summers off. The rest of us are doing great if we can have an entire weekend off more than once a month. It was April this year before I got my first day off.

Actually, most teachers (including myself) would LOVE a year-round schedule - but it's very inconvenient for working parents to have multiple two-week breaks spaced every few months. With summer, there are lots of day camps and overnight camps to help with childcare. It's the parents that tend to loudly oppose year-round school.

I actually love WDW in the summer - we always do 2 weeks in early June - the crowds are MUCH less oppressive than spring break and Christmas break and the weather is perfect for a non-commando style that includes lots of pool time!

 

[CarolAnnC]

This is a great thread for our CB. I am moving it over there since it is not DVC specific.

 

[m&m's mom]

Texas passed a law that school cannot start before the 4th Monday in August and no waivers are issued so the earliest we can start is Aug 24th this year. That is a LOT later than I like.
We went to WDW on the 2nd to last day of the year and it still was too crowded. Normally we can get there before the bad crowds hit.
I personally would love year-round school. I also do not see it happening.
Last year we only got Wed-Fri on Thanksgiving week but this year we get the whole week again.

 

[Teachckg]

Figures. Teachers get cranky if they don't get their summers off. The rest of us are doing great if we can have an entire weekend off more than once a month. It was April this year before I got my first day off.

I also find this a bit offensive. I chose my job and you chose yours. As many have said, summers are not necessarily "off". You may also have nice long lunches where you can actually go out to eat where as I have 20 minutes to scarf down my lunch possibly while tutoring or helping a student. But as I said earlier, we all chose our jobs

I just find it somewhat unprofessional for them to whine to their students.

You may see it as whining but I often talk to my middle school students about issues we may have in common (for example-- looking forward to having some days off). It is really just relating with the kids and creating a relationship. When you teach kids this age creating a relationship with them is extremely important.

Back to the point of the post: It is hard to work around the school schedule. We do not have a "fall break" like it seems lots of schools have-- I would enjoy that. You might just have to make the best of a summer trip-- I know it is hot and crowded but at least since you are a DVC member, you know you will be back. I just try to stay positive about the whole situation.

 

[daisyduck123]

Our Christmas vacation doesn't even start until 19th if you count Sat.

You're lucky.
Our Christmas Break doesn't begin until Xmas Eve..

 

[daisyduck123]

Figures. Teachers get cranky if they don't get their summers off. The rest of us are doing great if we can have an entire weekend off more than once a month. It was April this year before I got my first day off.

I take offense to this.
We don't "get summers off".
I've already taken 3 classes this summer just in order to keep my certification up to speed...yes, even though I've been teaching for almost 20 years & had a Master's Degree all that time, I still have to earn MORE credits AND do it on my own time.

 

[itsreally4mommy]

You're lucky.
Our Christmas Break doesn't begin until Xmas Eve..

Yuck! As much as I love my shopping/prep time, that is cutting it close!

I think between sports and camps that make $ off summer, year round is not in our future.
You'd think being in TX w/triple digits we could handle it, but then again we avoid standing in crowded theme parks, LOL. When we visited in May it already seemed bordering on sauna.

 

[mtomlin66]

Agreed.

Also, I think it's a matter of time before year-long school catches on. The school year evolved with long summer "vacations" because we used to live in a primarily agrarian society where the children were expected to assist with farming and harvesting.

I don't know of too many kids nowadays who work at farming and harvesting (granted I don't live in a rural area). But the point is, I don't think this applies to the majority of American school children.

I think year-long school would be beneficial to both parents and children. I think parents may have more say and more flexibility in when they can pull their kids out of school (whether that is for vacations, other educational opportunities or family obligations). Kids would likely have better retention of what they've learned. I know I forgot an awful lot of stuff over summer vacation

But, to get back on point. Yup, I think teachers are not gonna like it, but they don't need to be sharing that with the kids.

As an educator and parent I can tell you that these are several misconceptions in the post. With year round schooling parents don't have more flexibility in pulling their kids out. The schools still have scheduled vacation times built into the schedule and that is when the children are off. In fact, it means that the parents have to arrange for childcare for several shorter periods throughout the year, rather than one long period during the summer. Yes, many schools may offer intersessions during part of the time off, but the structure of it varies and I have heard that in some places it has been cut due to budget constraints.

When I was part of a committee looking at year round schooling, there was not research or data to support the belief that it leads to higher student achievement. From what we were able to discover, it seems to simply be another way of configuring the school calendar. Parents, students and teachers who chose to be part of this type of school community were happy with it. Those who were forced to have year round due to space / financial constraints (as an alternative to building more schools to house additional students) expressed less satisfaction.

Granted, it has been several years since I served on this committee, but since then, I still have not seen any large, long term research study that shows that students from year round schools do any better than kids in a traditional school.

BTW- at the time, I was in favor of exploring and trying a year round schedule. The parents in the community actively campaigned against it. The local business community also expressed concerns about the negative impact it could have on seasonal businesses by such a change. The effects can be far reaching - much more so than it looks on the surface.

 

[diznygirl]

I don't think that year long school is in the future. There is no research to suggest that would increase student achievement and learning. And with the embedding of technology,and the use of web 2.0, the brick and mortar school will definitely not be needed all year long.

My friend worked a year-round schedule. It was two months on/one month off She couldn't work a second job a month at a time so had to make do on her teacher's salary. She also had trouble getting the kids back into the swing of things after each break.

That's an informal research study of one.



Meanwhile, back to the original vent: why not go to Disneyland in the summer instead? Summers are more mild (at least there's less humidity) and they have DVC now. You'd still have crowds, but it might be more pleasant.

Just a thought.

 

[disykat]

"summers off?"

Teachers only get paid for the days they teach. Although their paychecks are often divided by 12, they don't get paid for the summer when school is not in session. Because they don't work (or get paid for) the full year, many teachers rely on summer employment to add to their yearly income. As others have pointed out, they also use this time for the schooling required by many states to keep their certification current.

Personally, I enjoy not reporting to work part of the year. But please remember I am not paid for that time that I am not employed.

I find it ironic that the same thread that people are unhappy about having no option to go but in the summer turns into a thread bashing teachers. I'm sure teachers are not conspiring to keep you from having an off-season WDW trip. When do you think teachers go?

 

[aristocatz]

I feel it is disrespectful to lump all teachers into one category. There are many teachers on these boards and this comment could be offensive to many. As far as teachers being off for summers, that is laughable. Contrary to belief, teachers do not get summers off. I happen to be a teacher and I am currently in professional development from 8am - 5:30 pm for the week. This is only one of many professional development courses my district requires us to attend. Most teachers also do not earn vacation time, so if you think about it teachers are in the same boat as those with children. We too need to take our vacations at the busiest seasons.

Agreed!! I am a sped teacher and I am working all summer. I'm getting paid for only 1/3 of the amount of hours I am putting in to get the kids ready for next year. While many of us are able to sneak in a weeks vacation, we do NOT get the summers off. Our paid vacation time is likely comparable to what most businesses receive except that e don't get to choose when we can take it off.

People have such misconceptions about teachers