I won't be winning any parenting awards next year either!!

[jagafen]

I was up early this AM checking DS's spring break schedule to make sure that we had a sitter for him. DH teaches, and their breaks usually coincide, but DH's school district shortened spring break by 2 days (due to snow day make-ups), and DS's school district left spring break as-is and added 2 days to the end of the year...no biggie, we'll manage.

We have a trip planned from August 13-31, the only time we can vacation as a family. DH teaches summer school, and that's his "break" before the regular session begins

THEN I noticed that they had already posted the 2010-2011 district calendar, so I took a little look-see...guess what? They're bringing the kids back AUGUST 30th...DS will miss the first two days of school, and come in on Wednesday (after our trip) tired as heck from vacation! I never even considered that they would start school that early (here, we traditionally start after Labor Day, and go until the middle of June...he gets out on the 18th for the summer break!) It never even crossed my radar that we'd be in FL for the first part of school!!

 

[RMulieri]

Yeah, I know the feeling our School in Dauphin CO, starts back the 30th too.We start back the week before LAbor day every year, and yet this year we get out June 10th with NO spring break except good friday...lots of teacher inservice days here and there throughout the year.It is frustrating to plan anything as a parent.In any event, don't sweat it .the first few days aren't anything too major

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Seeing where you are, your schools are similar to ours (not like down South where they are much different.) We too always start after Labor Day and if that happened I'd be shocked too!
Don't beat yourself up, not much happenes in the first couple days of school anyway, and I bet your son will not be the only one missing school.
That is strange, wonder why such a change? You get your dates nice and early, ours don't come out for a while still.

 

[SnowWhite607]

"Down South" here....we get out this year May 21. We go back August 9

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

"Down South" here....we get out this year May 21. We go back August 9

WOW! That's even sooner (for both) then I thought! Isn't going in August worse then June? It would be here but maybe not there.

 

[Pixie Princess]

"Down South" here....we get out this year May 21. We go back August 9

We're out May 21, and go back August 2. Crazy! Sometimes I wish the kids went back after Labor Day. It is so hot in August, and the due to the dress code, the kids can't wear clothes that would keep them more comfortable in that kind of heat.

 

[princessmom29]

Coming from a teacher: Everyone will live, and they won't miss anything truly vital. The first couple days are about rules, procedures, and getting to know you type stuff, passing out books, assigning desks ect.

 

[kid-at-heart]

What happened to the old days when school was in session from the Tuesday after Labor day until the Friday before Memorial day? I miss the old days. Our family would take extended cross-country driving trips. Now, I am like the OP, it is impossible to fit my daughter's school schedule with my school schedule for family vacations.

 

[5kwallace]

In Alabama , we get out May 26th and start back August 9th. It is too hot to be in school in August! But I do like the week break at Thanksgiving.

 

[RMulieri]

What happened to the old days when school was in session from the Tuesday after Labor day until the Friday before Memorial day? I miss the old days. Our family would take extended cross-country driving trips. Now, I am like the OP, it is impossible to fit my daughter's school schedule with my school schedule for family vacations.

They went bye bye...Some districts go all year long, others Before labor day and out the beginning of June, Others the beginning of August out end of May..I think the No child left behind has caused some of it.School District finances others

 

[princessmom29]

They went bye bye...Some districts go all year long, others Before labor day and out the beginning of June, Others the beginning of August out end of May..I think the No child left behind has caused some of it.School District finances others

I know we are required on the state level to have 180 instructional days on roll per year. I believe this is also the NCLB minimum.

 

[MariDisney]

I was up early this AM checking DS's spring break schedule to make sure that we had a sitter for him. DH teaches, and their breaks usually coincide, but DH's school district shortened spring break by 2 days (due to snow day make-ups), and DS's school district left spring break as-is and added 2 days to the end of the year...no biggie, we'll manage.

We have a trip planned from August 13-31, the only time we can vacation as a family. DH teaches summer school, and that's his "break" before the regular session begins

THEN I noticed that they had already posted the 2010-2011 district calendar, so I took a little look-see...guess what? They're bringing the kids back AUGUST 30th...DS will miss the first two days of school, and come in on Wednesday (after our trip) tired as heck from vacation! I never even considered that they would start school that early (here, we traditionally start after Labor Day, and go until the middle of June...he gets out on the 18th for the summer break!) It never even crossed my radar that we'd be in FL for the first part of school!!

Just wanted to say "hey neighbor" Looks like we live in the same school district. My DD is in 5th grade, and I think this is the 2nd or 3rd time we're going back before Labor Day. I'm sure your DS will be fine.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I know we are required on the state level to have 180 instructional days on roll per year. I believe this is also the NCLB minimum.

That was the same here till this year when they scheduled 179.

 

[jagafen]

Just wanted to say "hey neighbor" Looks like we live in the same school district. My DD is in 5th grade, and I think this is the 2nd or 3rd time we're going back before Labor Day. I'm sure your DS will be fine.

Hiya right back!! We must be within a stone's throw of each other.....you're my first "neighbor" on the DIS!!

 

[SnowWhite607]

WOW! That's even sooner (for both) then I thought! Isn't going in August worse then June? It would be here but maybe not there.

Yes it is BRUTALLY hot in August so I really dont get it myself.

The reason we start so early is that everyone voted to have the first semester done by Christmas break. School year = 178 days, one semester = 89 days, plus we have a week off for T'giving so counting back, we have to start early to get in the instructional days.

Back when I was teaching in the public schools befoe DD9 was born, we started in late August....nice BUT we got off 2 weeks for Christmas, had to come back and review for one week then give the kids semester exams. I guess someone thought it would be better to get all that out of the way and start fresh on the 2nd semester when we returned from Christmas break.

 

[taximomfor4]

OP< I found the same onm dh's district calendar for 2010-2011. Except I have to change our planned trip.
(DH isn't allowed to extend a vacation so no just missing a the first couple of days).

 

[jagafen]

OP< I found the same onm dh's district calendar for 2010-2011. Except I have to change our planned trip.
(DH isn't allowed to extend a vacation so no just missing a the first couple of days).

SHHHHHH (don't say ANOTHER word). At this point, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that DH's district doesn't go back that early. Worse case scenario, he can fly back on Sunday, but that means he'll miss those last two days (obviously!)....they're doing a lot of budget cuts this year ($7 million) so I'm not sure how that will impact next year's school calendar...off to go check airfare JIC I need to book him!

 

[bwilcox]

I don't think any teacher will hold that against you. I wouln't, anyway. I'll still give you a Good Parenting Award!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Just be sure to check your district's policy on missing the first few days of school. Our district's newsletter just said that kids must be in their seats by the 2nd day of school. If they're not, they may forfeit their placement to a child on the waiting list. When they come back, they could be placed on a different campus or even transferred to a different district if space is no longer available. This would be an extreme case, but they warned us that it could happen if the kids miss the first 2 days of school.

 

[DizzyStitch]

Our schools get out the first week of June and now with Labor day so late they go back two weeks before labor day weekend. I decided to have my kids miss the first four days of school so we could have one really long vacation. With my work (can't take off the first week of any month or any time the first three months of the year) I take what I can get. Of course the school could cut back on the two weeks at Christmas and the week for spring break. We are not a year round school district and it only creates even more fun for those parents that need child care. At least we have a 5 day a year vacation policy