Opinion on School Calendar - Labor Day 2009

[CRSNDSNY]

Ok, so I'm new to this. My daughter will be starting preschool this coming year and they start classes the day after Labor Day -- Tuesday September 2nd.

Has anyone looked at the calendar for 2009 and realized that Labor Day is VERY LATE? In your experience, do you think the districts will begin school the week before Labor Day in 2009 on September 1st or wait until after Labor Day starting classes on September 8th?

It seems kind of late to me.
What are your thoughts?

 

[kacaju]

it depends on the school. Our school has never opened before Labor Day

 

[rt2dz]

Not exactly sure what you mean by this: "Has anyone looked at the calendar for 2009 and realized that Labor Day is VERY LATE?"

Our preschool, and every preschool around here except one, has never started before Labor Day.

Our regular schools (elementary through High School) start August 25. Before our state law that said school could not start until the end of August, school for the regular schools used to start the second week of August. As hot as it is here, I preferred that so that we got out earlier when the weather was still somewhat worthwhile.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Not exactly sure what you mean by this: "Has anyone looked at the calendar for 2009 and realized that Labor Day is VERY LATE?"

Our preschool, and every preschool around here except one, has never started before Labor Day.

Our regular schools (elementary through High School) start August 25. Before our state law that said school could not start until the end of August, school for the regular schools used to start the second week of August. As hot as it is here, I preferred that so that we got out earlier when the weather was still somewhat worthwhile.

Are you in NC? We always started school before Labor Day in NC. This will probably be the latest we started ever!

 

[disykat]

Our schools usually start a few days before Labor Day on years that Labor Day falls later. Most years we start after LD though.

 

[kinntj]

Considering it's a law in our state not to start before Labor Day, we'll probably start after the 8th.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

This is in PA and it is a private school.

I am not looking for a definite answer from anyone, just opinions for those with children or who work in education.

 

[sha_lyn]

Not exactly sure what you mean by this: "Has anyone looked at the calendar for 2009 and realized that Labor Day is VERY LATE?"

ITA...Labor Day next yr is when it always is, the first Mon in Sept.

Next yr it does fall on the 7, which is the lastest date possible, but it isn't like it hasn't ever fallen on the 7. It falls on the 7 every few yrs.

When school here started after labor day, it didn't matter on the date. However schools here have started before labor day for at least 25 yrs. I wouls have to go look through my old report cards to find when it changed, but it must have been when I was in late ele.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

ITA...Labor Day next yr is when it always is, the first Mon in Sept.

Yes, I'm fully aware that Labor Day is always the first Monday of the month.

Next yr it does fall on the 7, which is the lastest date possible, but it isn't like it hasn't ever fallen on the 7. It falls on the 7 every few yrs.

Again, right....I understand that. BUT since I am relatively new at this parenting and schooling thing I wasn't sure if it was standard practice to alter the start of school in instances like this when the first Monday of September is so much later into the month.

Really, I'm just trying to get an idea of what everyone's schools will do in this situation. Does it really matter that they'd have nearly a full week of September down before Labor Day and then starting classes? Or do you all think that the schools will start a week earlier given the circumstances?

 

[Harvestmooner]

I am from NH and our school is starting August 26th.

 

[stace1214]

I've been teaching for ten years and I can't remember ever starting before Labor Day, even when it's late. The teachers may have to go in a day or two before Labor Day for inservice, but I think it's probably safe to say that the kids would start after. I'm in NY though, so not sure what PA would do. Hope this helps a little!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I've been teaching for ten years and I can't remember ever starting before Labor Day, even when it's late. The teachers may have to go in a day or two before Labor Day for inservice, but I think it's probably safe to say that the kids would start after. I'm in NY though, so not sure what PA would do. Hope this helps a little!

Yes, that was very informative and helpful. If I had to take a guess, I'd say that it is always after Labor Day no matter what.
Thanks!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I am from NH and our school is starting August 26th.

So I guess that you always start before Labor Day?

 

[rt2dz]

Are you in NC? We always started school before Labor Day in NC. This will probably be the latest we started ever!

Nope. Texas. Starting with the 2007-2008 school year, state law states that school cannot start before the second to last Tuesday of the month of August. I think, but am not sure, that includes teacher work days because that is when teachers go back and the kids start the next week. The theory behind it is to increase tourism.

What are these legislators thinking? August is the hottest month!! In July it's 105, before humidity/heat index. No one goes outside to do anything in August.

Want to increase tourism dollars? Have kids start school mid July and let them out in the beginning of April. April and May are tolerable outside! I'm not going to Sea World, The Dinosaur Park or Six Flags in August unless I want heat stroke. Even Schlitterbahn is too darn hot. The Alamo will be there in November too.

 

[rt2dz]

ITA...Labor Day next yr is when it always is, the first Mon in Sept.

Next yr it does fall on the 7, which is the lastest date possible, but it isn't like it hasn't ever fallen on the 7. It falls on the 7 every few yrs.

That was exactly what I was thinking when I read that. That's why it left me with a big, "HUH?"

 

[imthatgirl]

im in the boston area and we always always , since i was in school start the wednesday after labor day.
well, untill 2006 that is. i have no idea why but we started in august that year. if memory serves me it was august 29th. of course i had no idea of this and planned a trip during free dining. we got off our plane on the 28th at 9pm and they went to school the next morning. i checked this year, we start as normal the wed after.

so never say never!

 

[jenlynn0808]

Michigan teacher (er...former) here. Up until the last few years, Michigan schools started before labor day. Two years ago the state enacted a law saying school couldn't start until after Labor Day. The reason behind this was that the state was hoping it would generate more tourist $. People are not apt to have their children miss /or pull them out the first week back in school. Since some parents have that as a long weekend they would opt to not go anywhere because the kids where already in school. So no tourist, spending money. The state figured if the kids weren't in school, then parents would go on vacations, therefore spending $ and helping the state economy.

What no one considered, was because we have to provide so many instructional hours /days (depending on where you are) that it either extends the school year or the school day. My daughter went 10 minutes longer than my district, but she was out of school 3 days before us.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

All very interesting. I wonder if PA has a law regarding this.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Our schools usually start the Thurs after Labor Day but I too wondered about next year. That would have us starting on Sept. 10. I don't mind that except this past year they started on the 6th and still didn't get done until June 24! If we start on the 10th, they'll be in til almost July. ugh!

I can't see them starting before Labor day; we have a very strong teachers union and many have shore houses. I think there would be a revolution!

I'm curious how they'll handle it. They will post our calendar online around Feb. Till then I'm not making any vacation plans around then.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Interesting, I just found this.