Please review the two proposed options for the 2017-18 school calendar year and let us know what you think.

I read 15 pages of comments before voting, lots of good points on all sides.

I prefer Option B but ONLY if the work day/flex day in the beginning can be switched (i.e.flex on Thursday, work on Friday). I know that come February, I really look forward to having a three-day weekend and I can't think of any good reason to make that a work day.

HOWEVER- I'm giggling because we all know that if there is an untoward weather event (hurricane, flood, snow, etc), all of this advance planning will be for naught. Really, I'd like to know for sure that if we're keeping schools open for 183 instructional days when the state only requires 180, can't we keep those three extra days in our back pocket in case we need them for weather-related closures? There's no good reason we should have to face extended days if we are closed for one, two, or even three weather days. Fifteen+ years ago when we relocated back to this area, there were 2-3 weather days built into the schedule and we didn't have to extend school days or lose holidays until we were looking at a fourth day off. What happened to that schedule? Where did those days go?

Keep the half-days and teacher work days. I won't speak for anyone else but I need those days, I appreciate those days to catch up on my gradebook, change the classroom layout, write new lesson plans, telephone parents, catch my breath with my colleagues, whatever.

Option B

Although neither is particularly palpable, Calendar A is preferred over Calendar B.

I like Option 2 better. Although I do think August 24th should be made the Flexible Day with August 25th the mandatory work day.

I am happy with either schedule. I think they are both good alternatives.

I prefer option A only because of the desire to guard my time. Summer is a time for planning on my time; I do not want to be forced to come in part of a week in addition to all of the time spent in meetings after school during the school year. I would prefer to have professional development which is better planned and less time consuming so that we can do just as much in less time.

Option B

The best solution is Plan B. First, many teachers have family members and they WILL take off on Presidents day to spend with family, AS THEY SHOULD. Families matter to teachers too.

Second, the idea of Professional Development days is admirable, however the implementation is NOT what teachers need. If it was teacher directed, we could develop these days to actually improve on our individual or school needs. Instead, this has become a division wide scripted event that expects this to be a one-size fits all. This is exactly what we are expected to NOT do to meet our student needs. So, if it is to benefit students, lets plan on doing it early in the year, and before the students come in, and shortly after we get to know them in our classes. Waiting until February loses all that opportunity to actually apply any pertinent needs. By February, we are getting closer to industry certifications, SOLs, and every other pressure and time sensitive matter. It is difficult to make significant adjustments after that time. And if weather is an issue, we will have to make this up, and likely even later in the year. This really needs to be Option b.

Option A

Option A. Requiring staff to report for professional development on Thursday and then have the ability to flex Friday before Staff week, as is the suggestion in Option B, is ridiculous. Allow teachers to choose their own professional development classes through the summer when it would fit into their HARD EARNED summer break.