Opinion on School Calendar - Labor Day 2009

[Becky2005]

I think it totally dependant on state laws & whatever the school district wants.

We are starting this year August 20th. In prior years we have started later. It always starts around the 20th but way back when since I lived in the same state, it used to start after Labor Day.

I have no idea what the laws are -- there seem to be workarounds for most of them. LOL!!! (I'm finding that out at HS level for sports -- legally can't practice as a team before certain dates but goodness gracious look at all these "camps" the kids are supposed to attend!).

I know the teachers start the Monday, the kids start on the Wed. It used to be a full-day about 2 years ago it started being a 1/2 day on the first day of school. Then we get Labor Day off as a holiday. I'm going to assume we will STILL start school toward the last 2 weeks in August next year.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

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.

I see you are cruising soon. One of the things that prompted me to ask this question to begin with is that there is a cruise that departs on August 29th next year and it affordable. If we changed our cruise from October then Amelia wouldn't have to miss school - taking her out of school is bothering us, especially since we're paying for it!!! If we switched our cruise we could keep a decent price and still get our vacation in AND she wouldn't miss any school time.

 

[wishtdream]

Our school calander has been posted for the next three years. This year we start the Wed after Labor day. Next year and the year after we start the Wed. before Labor day.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Labor day isn't late- it is always the same time every year! The date just changes! NJ schools always start the Wednesday after Labor Day, no matter what the date.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Our school calander has been posted for the next three years. This year we start the Wed after Labor day. Next year and the year after we start the Wed. before Labor day.

What state are you in?

 

[dzorn]

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.

Actually I've lived in Michigan my whole life and almost always started after Labor Day then some districts started moved it into August and many were upset we would only go a few days then take a long weekend for labor day and the kids never got into a routine at school. Now with going back after Labor Day school routine is established much easier. I never started before Labor Day.

Denise in MI

 

[ntink]

Interesting, I just found this.

Very interesting - I live in PA also. Since my oldest has been in school (past 5 years) we have always started the Tuesday after Labor Day. This is a public school. However, the next school district over has started the Monday before Labor Day for the past 5 years. I am really interested to see what happens in September 2009 here.

 

[Stephaniecmc]

We enrolled our son in private pre-school last year and his class started the Wednesday after Labor Day. This year he will be in public school and they will start on August 20, two days before his birthday

 

[CRSNDSNY]

So really, this could go EITHER way!

 

[DVCJones]

The school I teach in always starts the week before Labor Day. This is a huge problem as most schools in MA. start after Labor Day. This year my DD starts after LD and I start before.

Thankfully, her old daycare said she could go there for the week.

 

[reelmom]

I would love to start back after Labor Day. Our kids go back to school next week on Wednesday, August 6.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I would love to start back after Labor Day. Our kids go back to school next week on Wednesday, August 6.

WOW!!!

When does their school year end?

 

[carj]

In Texas, we can't start before the the last Monday in August, so that means August 25th this year. A few years ago, we were starting mid August. Just about every school in the state will now start on this day. I kind of liked it better when we all had different start dates.

I believe that the reasoning behind this was to cut down on utility costs, as August is one of the hottest months of the year.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Where I am from in Nj, we start atleast one day after Labor Day. Teachers go back the day after Labor Day and have one or two inservice days. This is the first year my school where I teach has 1 inservice and and where dd goes this is the first year they have 2 inservice days! In anycase, in Nj it is after Labor Day as far as I know.

 

[ssdeverell]

I see you are cruising soon. One of the things that prompted me to ask this question to begin with is that there is a cruise that departs on August 29th next year and it affordable. If we changed our cruise from October then Amelia wouldn't have to miss school - taking her out of school is bothering us, especially since we're paying for it!!! If we switched our cruise we could keep a decent price and still get our vacation in AND she wouldn't miss any school time.

I won't be much help on the dates, because I live in TN and our kids start back next Tuesday. North GA started today in some counties.

However, given your options above, I would change my plans to the August sailing. You are planning to take her out of school for October already, so book for August. If you get lucky, school will not start until after you return. If not, you will still be taking her out of school - just earlier in the year.

Have you tried calling the school to see if they have any idea what they have done in past years? They may give you a better idea what to expect.

And, I totally understand what you meant by a "late" Labor Day. We always go the weekend after Labor Day to WDW, so when I was looking at next year's dates for DD's first trip, I thought to myself that it seemed like much later in the month.

Good luck with whatever you decide - oh, and the new school experience.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Stephanie - THANK YOU for saying you understood what I meant. There seemed to have been some linguistic confusion and people thinking I didn't realize that Labor Day was always the first Monday of the month. Oh boy. LOL

I hate to change the from October because we're cruising with some really great DISrs, but I have to think about what is best for our family and for our daughter. If there is a chance we can afford a different date and not have to pull her from class, that would just be better. Also, we'd like do visit the parks as well but wouldn't be able to do that in October without pulling her out for yet another week.

So if we could get this in before classes start that'd just be awesome. Perhaps we'll take a chance on that week next year. If it isn't meant to be then maybe we'll just have to reschedule for the following year.

 

[reelmom]

WOW!!!

When does their school year end?

The last day is May 29.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I teach in NYC, and the contract states that every year teachers will go back on the Thursday before Labor Day and students come back the day after Labor Day. So this year we go back very early...Aug 28th for teachers and Sept 2nd for the students...but next year it is much later. Here it all depends on the calendar and the date it falls out. Excited though that next year it will be Sept and not Aug when I go back!!

 

[rt2dz]

In Texas, we can't start before the the last Monday in August, so that means August 25th this year. A few years ago, we were starting mid August. Just about every school in the state will now start on this day. I kind of liked it better when we all had different start dates.

I believe that the reasoning behind this was to cut down on utility costs, as August is one of the hottest months of the year.

The official reason is actually to make it easier on migrate workers. The travel and tourism board lobbied hard for it though, leading to the conclusion that the real reason is to increase tourism dollars. I’ve heard people say it is for lower utility bills, but many schools are used year round—there are still workers in there doing repairs, updates, some have summer school, and districts allow schools to be rented (ie, churches still looking for a home) to offset operating costs. Even if none of these things are going on, for humidity control schools still have to be run year round or all that computer equipment and books will be ruined.

And if you look up the law, it states that school can start before the second to the last Tuesday of the month of August. Which means, teachers usually go back that Wednesday through Friday and the kids come back on the last Monday.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Stephanie - THANK YOU for saying you understood what I meant. There seemed to have been some linguistic confusion and people thinking I didn't realize that Labor Day was always the first Monday of the month. Oh boy. LOL

I hate to change the from October because we're cruising with some really great DISrs, but I have to think about what is best for our family and for our daughter. If there is a chance we can afford a different date and not have to pull her from class, that would just be better. Also, we'd like do visit the parks as well but wouldn't be able to do that in October without pulling her out for yet another week.

So if we could get this in before classes start that'd just be awesome. Perhaps we'll take a chance on that week next year. If it isn't meant to be then maybe we'll just have to reschedule for the following year.

Depending on when you booked your Oct cruise, the price may have gone up. The earlier you book, the lower the price so it may have even gone up a lot! Also in late May they have added in a fuel surcharge for new bookings. I wouldn't cancel the Oct cruise until seeing the school schedule since you probably have a better price than what they're offering now.
Personally what I would do, and this may not be for everyone, I would keep the Oct cruise ressie and also book the Aug. one to lock in a good rate and good choice of cabin selection. Even just book online (can always transfer to your TA later.) knowing one will be cancelled.

DCL is offering a 50% deposit special (or at least they were about 1-2 weeks ago, don't know for how long) so that you'd only have to put down 1/2 the normal deposit. If you don't have the cash to put out, I would use a very low % cc knowing that it won't be for long. (In our town we usually can view the next year's schedule online around Feb.) Even if you have to pay a little interest it may be still more savings than waiting until next spring to book the cruise. DCL veterans know how much cruises go up over time.
Our Feb 07 Eastern was booked about 16 mos. in advance and when I looked again about 10 mos out, it had doubled! (cat 9) Then again I'm not sure if that would apply to a late Aug/Sept. cruising since that's typically the slowest season. If my cc's only offered a high rate, I don't think I'd do this.

Not to go on and on but... I called DU once to book a 7 day cruise, not knowing exactly when our kids teacher convention break would be (usually it's the 1st Th/Fr in Nov but occasionally later like the 11th) so I asked could I just book both weeks, (knowing I'd have to pay deposits on both) until I could get the school calendar and know when my kids are off exactly. I was told NO, DCL wouldn't allow it. Now I know better, but at the time I worried that I'd pick the wrong week so we ended up doing the Feb and just missing school.

also jmho, I wouldn't stress out about missing preschool. My kids teachers all say Have a great trip!! up until around 4 th grade. Now that ds is in middle school, we are really trying to not have him miss more than a day or 2 here and there.
good luck!!