Save the Summer! Reading Schools should start after Labor Day!
9 Comments
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Sherri VandenAkker
11 years ago
Featured
I would prefer to have the start date be the first Tues or Weds in Sept, for the times that Labor Day is super late. I would also love to see a survey go out to teachers and families re: religious holidays and maybe consolidating the 2 weeks off in the Spring to one week. We need as broad a consensus as possible, in my opinion.
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Mary Gilligan
12 years ago
Does anyone know the status of this? I would be happy to continue to spread the word via Reading patch or local newspapers. We need to get more signatures and get in front of the school committee. If you are the starter of the petition and would like help promoting this, please email me. [email protected].
I
Ilene Brown
12 years ago
I agree 100% with the comments above. I think the bottom line is that the calendar should make sense for the community (teachers, admin and families), not politics. As someone who grew up Jewish, I think it's rather strange that in a town where there isn't even a synagogue we get the Jewish holidays off. Of course, any family (or teacher, or admin) who chooses to observe the holiday(s) should not be penalized. Now, if there are enough Jewish teachers to warrant the day off because finding subs would be problematic, I get it. But I have a hunch that is not the case. I also wholeheartedly agree with the idea of no Feb vacation. The kids get the holiday break, many of whom have a hard time readjusting after that (smaller children especially). Once they get back into their routine, they get another break. In addition to all of this, there are a good deal of families who have two working parents. Finding childcare every day, including the early release Weds and all the breaks is not only costly, but just difficult (I imagine). And, as the petition states, starting school before Labor Day just seems like a waste of resources - time, energy and money.
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Gina Botticelli-Amico
12 years ago
Featured
I totally agree. I also feel that there shouldn't be a February vacation! What is the purpose of it? We have a long enough Christmas break, a longer April vacation, not to mention the random days off during the school year!!! I hope that our school committee gives this some serious thought!!
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Gina Botticelli-Amico
12 years ago
Featured
I totally agree. I also feel that there shouldn't be a February vacation! What is the purpose of it? We have a long enough Christmas break, a longer April vacation, not to mention the random days off during the school year!!! I hope that our school committee gives this some serious thought!!
A
Alicia Botticelli-Tarasuk
12 years ago
Featured
I grew up in Reading and Always went back after labor day. We need to make that happen again!!!! Really rediculous that we go back before.. Summer is short enough!!
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Mike Montgomery
12 years ago
Featured
Starting school before Labor Day is just crazy. Its still basically summer out there! Why rush the kids back in when we have so many random days off all year that don't make any sense anyway.
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Fred Van Magness SR
12 years ago
The school calendar is totally out of control. Without being cast as anti-religious, there are many who believe that Good Friday and the jewish holiday should only be an excused absence for both teachers and students, without penalty. I guarantee you that the churches are not overflowing with Reading students and teachers on these holidays. Not all school districts have these holidays off. I absolutely believe the schools should start on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Having a day and a half of school is totally wasteful, even from an education standpoint. Now with all the in service days, etc., the month of September is actually a wast academically. I would think that "maybe" we could even have one or two of the inservice days on a couple of Saturdays (perish the thought!!!). Seems like a lot of the days off are scheduled around people wanting long weekends. Bottom line, we need a more thoughtful examination of the calendar moving forward.
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Bobbie Botticelli
12 years ago
Featured
I feel that going to school for1 1/2 days ,only to have the labor day weekend off is a waste of quality school hours. The students and parents are not in learning mode as yet. I do not, however for those who own vacation homes 2 to 3 or more hours away, this is a huge unfair inconvenience to come home only to travel the distance back.
I would prefer to have the start date be the first Tues or Weds in Sept, for the times that Labor Day is super late. I would also love to see a survey go out to teachers and families re: religious holidays and maybe consolidating the 2 weeks off in the Spring to one week. We need as broad a consensus as possible, in my opinion.
Does anyone know the status of this? I would be happy to continue to spread the word via Reading patch or local newspapers. We need to get more signatures and get in front of the school committee. If you are the starter of the petition and would like help promoting this, please email me. [email protected].
I agree 100% with the comments above. I think the bottom line is that the calendar should make sense for the community (teachers, admin and families), not politics. As someone who grew up Jewish, I think it's rather strange that in a town where there isn't even a synagogue we get the Jewish holidays off. Of course, any family (or teacher, or admin) who chooses to observe the holiday(s) should not be penalized. Now, if there are enough Jewish teachers to warrant the day off because finding subs would be problematic, I get it. But I have a hunch that is not the case. I also wholeheartedly agree with the idea of no Feb vacation. The kids get the holiday break, many of whom have a hard time readjusting after that (smaller children especially). Once they get back into their routine, they get another break. In addition to all of this, there are a good deal of families who have two working parents. Finding childcare every day, including the early release Weds and all the breaks is not only costly, but just difficult (I imagine). And, as the petition states, starting school before Labor Day just seems like a waste of resources - time, energy and money.
I totally agree. I also feel that there shouldn't be a February vacation! What is the purpose of it? We have a long enough Christmas break, a longer April vacation, not to mention the random days off during the school year!!! I hope that our school committee gives this some serious thought!!
I totally agree. I also feel that there shouldn't be a February vacation! What is the purpose of it? We have a long enough Christmas break, a longer April vacation, not to mention the random days off during the school year!!! I hope that our school committee gives this some serious thought!!
I grew up in Reading and Always went back after labor day. We need to make that happen again!!!! Really rediculous that we go back before.. Summer is short enough!!
Starting school before Labor Day is just crazy. Its still basically summer out there! Why rush the kids back in when we have so many random days off all year that don't make any sense anyway.
The school calendar is totally out of control. Without being cast as anti-religious, there are many who believe that Good Friday and the jewish holiday should only be an excused absence for both teachers and students, without penalty. I guarantee you that the churches are not overflowing with Reading students and teachers on these holidays. Not all school districts have these holidays off. I absolutely believe the schools should start on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Having a day and a half of school is totally wasteful, even from an education standpoint. Now with all the in service days, etc., the month of September is actually a wast academically. I would think that "maybe" we could even have one or two of the inservice days on a couple of Saturdays (perish the thought!!!). Seems like a lot of the days off are scheduled around people wanting long weekends. Bottom line, we need a more thoughtful examination of the calendar moving forward.
I feel that going to school for1 1/2 days ,only to have the labor day weekend off is a waste of quality school hours. The students and parents are not in learning mode as yet. I do not, however for those who own vacation homes 2 to 3 or more hours away, this is a huge unfair inconvenience to come home only to travel the distance back.