Growing numbers of families in Reading agree that our summers are too short. Summer is a time to re-charge, try something new, play, work to make money for college or the school year and, most important, to enjoy family time. Now that school is ending at the end of June and starting before Labor Day all of this is at risk. When you finalize the school calendar for the 2015/16 year we hope you will find a way to start school after Labor Day so our summers will be a little longer than they are now.

We recognize that we might need to lose some holiday time but we also urge the school committee and administration to look more closely at the numbers of days the district calls off school for teacher "in service" days. We feel confident that time could be managed better to reduce those days off.

We also recognize that efforts to make transitions smooth for students might be partly why our schools start so early: we appreciate that effort but feel certain that the traditional Wednesday after Labor Day start can still supply our children with a smooth transition back to school.

Thank you very much. We look forward to a vigorous discussion on this matter.