Just curious, as I've been hearing from others they will not be sending their children to school on the last day this year. In case you weren't aware, the last day of school in the MDUSD is a Monday (June 14th), and students are dismissed at 12 noon.
So what say you? Does it cramp your plans for summer? Are your classrooms planning their end of year activities and parties that day in an effort to keep kids coming in that day?
Comment here and then take the poll to the right over there ---------> and let us know what you think!
My daughter would have gone but my husband planned a fishing trip with her and did not realize that the last day of school was Monday. So, she will not be going to school on Monday. I would imagine half of the students will be absent.
ReplyDeleteHorrible planning by the district. Teachers, students and parents are all scratching thier heads on this one.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just a district decision. It's part of the teachers contract. God! People on this blog post whatever comes into their brain without doing any research!
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely one of the reasons why the MDUSD is in trouble.
Through all my 14 years in the district, I have always made my kids go to school on the last day.
ReplyDeleteI won't this year. My kid is in high school and I bet the week before that Monday is going to be enough of a blow off that one more day of parties or yearbook signing seems ridiculous.
Yes it was part of the teachers contract, so teachers if you are scratching your heads, look at your leadership. Maybe it will be better now that it has changed recently.
ReplyDeleteMy last child is in high school and he will not be attending the last day.
I understand school will start on a Wed. this coming year, much better!
I agree with you Anon 8:38, comments being made without thought or even knowing what they are saying. I think some just only like to hate, sad way to live.
So the teachers voted to end the school year on a Monday? The district can't make the call to move one day of the year to end on Friday?
ReplyDeleteStop passing the buck. Leadership / and monetary policy sucks with this district. How much money are they going to lose ending on Monday?
This is defintely NOT a teacher driven decision. Instead, this was caused by the MDUSD contract with Local 1, which is the union for the classified staff. Their contract guarantees two holidays off of work in the month of February. While it is true that we teachers have to ratify the contract, this certainly was not our idea. We would have GLADLY given up one day off in February to end school on a Friday! Don't blame the teachers for this one. Blame the people who negoiated the Loacl 1 contract!
ReplyDeleteNot sure yet about my high school and middle school aged kids. But my 5th grader will as the "big party" and field day activities are planned on that last day (convenient huh?) He wants to go to hang and have fun with his friends... I certainly am not mistaking it for a learning day, but what last day is?
ReplyDelete1:31- No, the district can't unilaterally change the date that is specified in the contract. What a silly comment.
ReplyDeleteThey won't lose any money either because the ADA rate is set in October for the year.
Until recently, I did not realize the last day of school is on a Monday...Poor planning!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not if I'll be sending my children to school on the last day. I think it's pointless considering it will be a half day & nothing is taught on the last day of school. On the other hand, the MDUSD will lose money (in addition to the millions they've already cut).
Make no mistake - school days are decided by the board and have to coincide with the MDEA (teacher) contract. No other factors apply.
ReplyDelete11:31- It has already been posted that the district won't lose money, so what are you talking about?
ReplyDeleteYou weren't even aware of the Monday date, yet you are offering opinions without information.
Kids must attend a certain number of school days per year. The district office draws up the calendar two years at a time. The board approves it, and all the unions have to ratify it. It's no big conspiracy. The teachers do not want to end school on a Monday any more than anyone else does. Is it inconvenient? Yes. But get over it already!
ReplyDeleteMy high school daughter will attend because it is required for Link Crew. For middle school, it is the 8th grade graduation during the school day and since my 7th grader is in Leadership, she will be helping with that.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just about the "instruction" - its about the memories of those last days. The parties, well some of you parents appear to think it's all worthless, but I'll be your children don't think so. So send them already! GEESH... who cares about "instruction" there is more to school. And what, you really thought they'd be introducing a new educational concept on the last day? Give me a break. Last days are about hanging out, having fun, signing year books and field days.. (or promotions/graduations). It's all good.
ReplyDeleteMost high school students do not attend the last day of school whether it is on a Monday or a Friday :)
ReplyDeleteSome may show up to check their grades after finals.
The number of days were set. It was either a Monday at the end of the year or a Friday at the beginning. More money would have been lost for the no-shows at the beginning of the year. That's what I was told when I objected.
ReplyDeleteBoth my children attend elementary school and both kids will be attending on the last day.
ReplyDeleteIt's all about follow through and commitment.
School districts lose NO money if kids do not go to school on that last Monday.
ReplyDeleteMy son's school is having no educational activities that day. In fact, his school has been promoting that Friday is the last day of school. I'm leaving the decision up to my son whether he wants to attend or not.
Yes, my daughter will go!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd on to summer school too.
The last day of school, the 180th day required, happened to land on a Monday. This was after all of the holidays were taken out of the count. It is unfortunate, but we need to deal with it. As a teacher, I'd much rather be done on Friday and Monday will be a "let's wrap it up" day. I talked to our attendance secretary about ADA and she said that we DO get money for that last day, but it is pennies per student compared to other days in the year. As far as release time, the elementary schools alternate each year... 12pm one year, 12:30pm the next. Let's work TOGETHER to make next year successful!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter will attend only because she has promotion from elementary school that day. Ihope teachers plan to give out report cards though before Monday! If not, will the District be forced to pay to mail them out? I think A LOT of students will not be in attendance on Monday.
ReplyDeleteIf kids aren't there to pick up their report cards, the district should NOT mail them. School offices are open for a while after school ends. Parents can go pick them up!
ReplyDeletewe were told at our school site that if lunch money was not paid up no report cards would be issued. How can that even be allowed. I understand the need to pay your bill, but how is one related to the other?
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with the schools holding report cards until lunch bills are paid. Why shouldn't they, they need some leverage. I believe they do the same with outstanding library books.
ReplyDeleteMy son said the teachers told him they weren't even taking role that day. I made him go to school regardless...it's the law, if there's school we're supposed to send them.
ReplyDeleteI also agree they should hold the report cards if you owe money for lunches or books or whatever...otherwise people wouldn't pay.
it does not matter if you send them or not the state money ends on june 4 so the district is not getting money if they are there or not. Also report cards are held if any money is owed could really screw up a senior, parents, pay your bills!
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