From Harford County Public Schools:
As of Saturday, March 03, 2012 8:02 PM —
Due to inclement weather school closures, SCHOOLS WILL NOW BE OPEN ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS: June 11th & 12th.
– The Last Day of School for Kindergarten – 11th Grade is Tuesday, June 12th.
– The Last Day for Pre-Kindergarten is Friday, June 8th.
– School based employees need to see their immediate supervisor regarding information on their last day.
*If any further inclement weather school closures occur, schools will then be OPEN on the following days and will be added in the order in which they appear: June 13th, June 14th, June 15th & April 2nd.
Summer says
I am sorry, but what inclement weather! We have had such a very mild winter this year. I think the schools have closed maybe once or twice. Do they not do the schedule with a couple of inclement weather closings already added? Adding these extra days to the kids is just ridiculous. I understand the need when we had the blizzards,but this year, there’s no reason!
ABINGDONTEACHER says
Due to the hurricane at the beginning of the school year, school was closed for 2 days. These would be the extra 2 days added to the end of the year. The school calendar is built with a last day of school (June 8th) and then several makeup days, which include the 11th and 12th. Calm down…..
Terri Conley Ferguson says
The two days missed by the hurricane should not be counted as missed days. Maryland was in a state of emergency and these days are excused. HCPS better check this out…..
Kim Hampshire Holsapple says
I heard that they were going to ask the state for a waiver. Guess they didn’t.
HCPSTeacher says
Right!! Students missed the first 2 days of school.You know those 2 days where so much learning and instruction is going on. LOL So now we get to go two extra days at the end when students already know grades were due by teachers the week before. Now students have to come back for 2 days after a weekend ready to learn. LOL I love getting that email from my principal that she gets from HCPS headquarters saying all teachers must instruct students up to the very last day. WHAT A JOKE!!! We will pop in movies the last 2 days of school for the students who will actually show up. GET A FREAKING CLUE HCPS!!!!
Billy Jack says
I sincerely hope that HCPS teacher is actually a 7th grader. If not, my tax dollars are being spend unwisely. I am not referring to content necessarily, but to the language used in this message.
Brad says
HCPS teacher,
I think it is your job to teach to the last bell. Even if grades are done I am sure you could pass some knowledge on to your students.
Vinnygret says
Well, we know YOU’VE never taught in a public school. Seriously! Sub for a day – yeah – one of those last 2 days – and then write a response. HAHAHAHAHAHA
JP says
It seems reasonable that families would have scheduled vacations that week with the expectation that school would dismiss as planned. The time to be notified of this decision would have been somewhere in early September 2011. I’m sure that some will be happy to have the day care for two more days and apparently we’re not concerned with the costs involved in running an additional 2 days.
I think that those with plans will give little thought to missing that Monday and Tuesday. Maybe in a great theatrical event, it will be overturned and we’ll be told that we were listened to. Of course this will also create it’s own issues for families trying to do the right thing and assuming that their children will be in school two days longer. Either way, in the end what a waste. Give the teachers the money that your coming up with for the 2 days and wish everyone a happy summer.
Cdev says
It was announced 2 years ago that school could go until the 15th!
Richard Smith says
EVERYONE!
This has been in the calendar since it came out in 2010.
Your complaints make you look silly because you have not read the printed calendar.
JP says
Richard,
Yes, it clearly states the “inclement day” make up policy in the calendar. I have read it.
It would have been much more appropriate to send this message in the fall when the days were taken. I feel that it would have been reasonable to expect that no such notice as late as the beginning of March would have meant that the 2 days would fall under a state of emergency waiver. Silly, I know. But apparently it’s not just me.
My kids will be there, but I think several (especially those not taking finals) will not. Seems like a very avoidable situation. I would be very interested to see elementary attendance records for these two days.
Cdev says
MSDE stated they would not even consider waiver requests until April. We could have done like Charles County and canceled an already existing day off on 1 week notice to make one up earlier!
what a joke says
Ok, then why all the half days? Could easily make them whole days…i went to school in pa years ago, and they just took away an easter break day back. And that was with several used snow days! Guess perfect attendace will be a bust!
Richard Smith says
Only elementary schools have half days.
And complaints about something listed all along seems silly. The calendar even states the order of the makeup days. So why is everyone making it an issue?
footballgirl says
It is rather frustrating that despite the Board of Ed’s woes with the budget, we will be opening the buildings for two more days. I could understand if the last day of school was previously scheduled for a Wednesday and they wanted to extend the last day to Friday; but to reopen after a weekend I don’t totally agree with. I am interested to know if any other counties applied for a waiver for the hurricane days. At this point, I guess I know what my students will be doing that Monday and Tuesday —- taking their county mandated final exam.
what a joke says
Mr smith, if u know soo much about this then how many days of inclement weather does the school
allow before days need to be made up? A lot of school districts allow 2-3 inclement wweather days before any talk of making days up! And just because we complain about it, doesnt mean u have to like it…..u may think this is silly just as i think teachers bitching over wether or not to take a bonus is silly. Theres allways a better way, and obviously many people think theres a better way to handle this situation.
ABINGDONTEACHER says
Some systems choose to publish a last day of schoo that includes several inclement weather days built in, and then adjust the date earlier for unused inclement days. HCPS chooses to include all possible make-up days on the calendar in advance.
The change in the last day was announced now as it becomes clear the potential for additional inclement days is slim. That being said, the calendar still has 4 additional days available if needed.
The email sent to teachers stated that a decision on whether to apply for a waiver will not happen for a few more weeks.
State law mandates 180 days of instruction, so whether HCPS wants to “save money” by not meeting on those 2 additional days, their hands are tied.
Good rule of thumb, read the calendar and don’t plan vacations during possible make-up days. The calendars are released well over a year in advance.
JP says
AbTeach, that’s my point exactly! “The email sent to teachers stated that a decision on whether to apply for a waiver will not happen for a few more weeks.”
In the event of snow days we would all know about the make up as it happened but a decision on the very first 2 days of school will not be finalized until the end of March or maybe April? What sense does that make? That e-mail tells me that: We have not made a decision in 6 months and we’re writing to inform you that it may still happen -or maybe not. We’ll get back to you in a few more weeks.
Make a decision and be done with it. This could have been handeled in Sept.
Richard Smith: If you agree with me say “What he said”
Richard Smith says
I will instead ask you to re-read and proofread your statement.
I am not sure what point you are trying to make.
But maybe the BOE also is waiting to see if any more inclement days are needed.
JP says
Are you a member of the BOE?
Sarah says
It doesn’t sound like Richard understands what the BOE does and what the Superintendent does.
Richard Smith says
Yes JP I am on the BOE. My name is right there on the list. duhhhh. Notice I signed with my whole name linked to my real Facebook account. Not just a couple of anonymous initials…..
And Sarah, what point are you trying to make?
The BOE announced in 2010 how makeup days would be handled for the 2011-2012 school year. They have did so exactly as planned. They may very well apply for a waiver. it is EXTREMELY unlikely that MSDE will grant a waiver for those 2 days.
Amazed. says
@Richard, Duhhhh? You sit on the Board and this is how you respond to the folks? Nice that you keep it highbrow… By the way I’m fairly certain the correct grammar would be: “They have DONE exactly as planned.” not “they have did…”
Cheers.
Richard Smith says
Amazed,
You realize I am not really on the board?
Richard Smith says
What he said
Observer says
Sounds like Richard has anger management issues.
Richard Smith says
Sure.
BOE are morons says
Seriuosly?! I beg any of you to go to an elementary or middle school on those two days! Total waste of my children’s time to go to school! NOTHING gets done on those days except the teachers cleaning out their classrooms and my kids watching movies. We can do that at home!
Richard Smith says
ANY last 2 days of school will always be like that.
If you end school in April it will be like that.
So you, of course, want the BOE to ignore the 180 days law, correct?
JP says
Richard:
COMAR 13a.09.10.14 (this one’s for non public schools but the same applies to public)
See: B(5) that clearly states The Department may grant a waiver of the length of the school year for natural disasters, civil disasters, or severe weather conditions.
It’s called a waiver not ignoring the law. I think your post makes you look um… silly!
The MSDE should grant a WAIVER for the days that were no doubt the result of a severe weather condition. To not communicate this or make a decision on this by now seems like a situation that leaves plenty of room for improvement.
—btw, if this posts twice it’s because my original post included a web link to the COMAR info which would require Dagger moderation.
Richard Smith says
JP you look even sillier by not knowing a little history.
“The Department may grant a waiver”
May……………..
That single word is a big thing. In the past the state board has said that they would look at waivers if the schools have exhausted their inclement days. HCPS has scheduled 6/11-6/15 and 4/2 as inclement days. This statement from HCPS says they are using the 2 scheduled days.
HCPS very well may apply for a waiver. But if you think it is automatically awarded then you are extremely ill-informed.
And don’t quote “COMAR 13a.09.10.14” if it is not even the part of COMAR that effects HCPS.
Richard Smith says
And here again is why I think it is silly people are making an issue of this.
go to the HCPS web page and look at the calendar.
That document came out in 2010. It states all the inclement days and how they are to be used.
The last day of school, according to this published document, is 6/15. That is if all inclement days are used.
HCPS states that they are using 2 of the days, AS PLANNED, and will, as of now, close on 6/12.
And yet they are somehow at fault? We can blame them for many things, but doing exactly as they said they would seems silly.
Maybe they will get a waiver for the 2 days. But right now 6/12 is how it goes.
JP says
Richard,
Jeez Rich, Comprehension problems? I clearly stated that this COMAR was for non public schools but the same thing happens with public. I’m sure YOU could find the one that applies to HCPS. I simply thought is was disingenuous to suggest that any other possibility was breaking the law. I clearly stated that the decision to grant (or not grant) a waiver should be able to be made less then 6 months later. I never stated that the waiver is automatic. The letter to the teachers clearly states that the waiver MAY……………. (as you so eliquently put it) still happen.
If you can’t see room for improvement in this process you MAY………… be part of the problem.
As I said, my children will be there till the last day of school.
Anyways, have a nice day silly.
Richard Smith says
MAY…………….
Mike Gorman says
Aren’t most make up days at the end of a school year for “severe weather conditions”? It doesn’t matter whether it’s a hurricane or a snow storm, the law requires 180 days and that’s why the make up days are built in to the school calendar. They always have been.
Richard Smith says
Mike,
Exactly. Just as how it was listed on the HCPS Calendar.
Why do other people choose not to read?
Mike Gorman says
This isn’t anything new. It was like this for the 13 years I attended HCPS and continued through the 17 years my kids were in school and all the years in between. Why is everyone getting all bent out of shape this time. Is it because there wasn’t much snow and everyone forgot about the hurricane?
JP says
Richard:
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/13a/13a.09.10.14.htm
See: B(5) that clearly states The Department may grant a waiver of the length of the school year for natural disasters, civil disasters, or severe weather conditions.
It’s called a waiver not ignoring the law. I think your post makes you look um… silly!
Richard Smith says
“Is it because ….. everyone forgot about the hurricane?”
Bingo. If it were snow days and fresh in their mind it would be different.
Localguy says
28 comments (so far anyway)! Wow!
What kind of news day is it when a posting about the school calendar can generate this much discussion!?! I’m impressed…
Trew dis says
Meh, Could be worse. We could reading the sour grapes of a candidate that lost an election for Sheriff, or blindly speculating on why a little girl was left at Chuck E. Cheese. I’m never gonna get back that 7 min I spent watching the music video!
tru dat says
You obviously find yourself amusing since you have splattered your lost 7 minute non-witticism all over this website. Go sit on the sofa with Beavis.
Trew dis says
Heh heh heh heh heh YAH! heh heh. We come to party heh heh. 🙂
tru dat says
ok, Beavis, that was funny!
mom22 says
Regardless of what the last day is, I am happy to know it! I have children in HCPS and I work in BCPS (Baltimore County). We (BCPS)are typically informed of our last day in mid-May. Our calendar has 187 days included at the beginning of the year. We can ‘get’ up to 5 back for a total of 182 days of school. In theory, the 2 hurricane days will not impact us since we can only get 5 days back anyway. In the past, we have also been ‘charged’ for early dismissal or delayed opening days by having to make them up as well. Regardless of your stance on the last day, be thankful for the early communication!
Sally says
In a year where revenues are down, so many new taxes are up for legislative review, and a pension shift could cost the county millions, I think it would be wise to apply for the waiver.
Can anyone tell me how much it will cost HCPS and us to remain open for the additional 2 days?
Patti says
180 days. Black and White, clear as crystal. If you can’t handle that simple idea, you should homeschool, and make your own schedule, then complain to yourself when your children are not properly educated.
Homeschool parent says
Wow! Nasty and offensive to every home school family in the county. You go Patti. I’ll keep my kids away from you till you’re properly medicated.
Over 1 million children are homeschooled for reasons like their public school not meeting AYP and “my way or the highway” attitudes or something as basic as safety. For which would you like examples?
Patti says
HP- I certainly did not mean to offend homeschoolers, I am very aware of several successful homeschooling situations in my own circle of friends.
My intent was to draw attention to the ridiculous parents that are losing their minds because their children will be in school an additional 2 days.
Brian says
Wow it is rare to see so many people who have no idea what they are talking about yet they still are making comments.
Here is a little nugget for you all.
Teachers have already been paid for those days even though they did not work them.
Another reason that the days will be made up.
Pot calls kettle black. says
Brian,
Are the helpers for IEP’s paid for that week too? Long term subs? How about bus companies? Is all the food already ordered for the cafeteria? It’s great to hear from such an informed source! Tell me what else is already paid for.
Fred Flintstone says
There are additional expenses that will be paid out for the last few days of school, but why is there an argument over two days that belong on the schedule. The 180 really is pretty black and white. Why try to take two additional days away from students that probably need more. As a teacher I don’t pop in videos and clean my room on those last few days. I may have the kids organize a bookshelf but that is the most cleaning that is done in my room. I actually like the last few days, because I get to actually have some fun while teaching my students. We can do projects, experiments, and activities that aren’t driven solely by pacing and curriculum. It’s unfortuante that some teachers do pop in a video, and it’s more unfortunate that parents think that’s what all of us do.
George says
Such angry people on the Dagger! Seriously, you guys get bent out of shape over the most minor things. Everybody just calm down, take a chill pill, and be nice!
Miss T says
As a working parent who has to figure out summer child care, I’m GLAD that schools are staying open 2 days later. Obviously no one who has commented about how “ridiculous” this is has summer child care woes.
Tea Party says
We paid the teachers for all 5 days lets make them earn it. Otherwise I’ll have to drop my kid off at Chuck E. Cheese for the rest of that week.
Cdev says
You paid them for 190 days no matter when they work them. Which is exactly what you get with the last day being June 12.
JT says
Kids have to get their FREE breakfast and lunch. Plus take pictures in the restroom–set up fights—ask someone out—throw more insults at classmates and teachers–and finally torture the busdrivers on their way home. Just another normal two days in HCPS……paradise.