Wicomico County Public Schools must add two dates to its 2017-2018 school calendar after receiving word that Maryland state education officials did not grant the school system’s request to waive two of the days that schools were closed during Winter Storm Grayson.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donna C. Hanlin, with the support of the Board of Education, requested a state waiver for two of the five days that were missed due to the winter storm. The state board indicated that they believe local school systems should use every available option to make up missed instructional time within the calendar before they will grant a waiver to adjust the length of the school year.
Per Governor Larry Hogan’s decree that the school year must end by June 15, and with the denial of the waiver request, Wicomico County Public Schools must now be in session:
• Monday, Feb. 19, when schools would have been closed for Presidents’ Day.
• Thursday, March 29, which would have been a professional day for teachers but will now be a school day with 2-hour early dismissal to allow teachers some time for professional development.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
If the winter break wasn't so long it wouldn't always be necessary to make up days. I don't understand why WCBOE said MLK day couldn't be used as a make up day because it is a federal holiday. Presidents Day is also a federal holiday which will now be used as a make up day. Cutting short the spring holiday is also irritating. Don't they realize some parents might already have plans for what should have been long weekends.
ReplyDeleteThey have always done this. MLK is an untouchable day.
DeleteWhat exactly happens during those hours/days of "professional development"?
ReplyDeleteTeacher training
DeletePlenty. Our school looks at student data and adjusts instruction to meet specific needs.
DeleteMaybe that will be two less days that someone gets assaulted in the park
ReplyDelete"What exactly happens during those hours/days of "professional development"?"
ReplyDeleteUnion meetings.
Nope. Never have been used for that, never will be. The teachers association meets in its own building after school hours .
DeleteThe school board pays outside contractors thousands of dollars to come present recycled information that teachers already know. Teachers are required to sit in these meetings all day like a detention for grown ups.
ReplyDeleteAgain another person that makes up BS. In the past 3 years, we have had a consultant at my school.
DeleteNot true. Usually other teachers present on upcoming programs or new state tests. Supervisors or guests are also common but never paid contractors. In 25 years I've never seen that. Dumbass 9:05 couldn't name one.
DeleteDonuts n coffee.
ReplyDeleteIf you bring it yourself or your supervisor buys it for you. Once a book company paid for it. Board does not pay. Uninformed idiots.
DeleteIs President's day a federal holiday? If so, how can it be used for makeup?
ReplyDeleteBecause schools are run by the state govt and not federal. Read before making a dumb comment.
DeleteEvery year the school system has to show the state that X amount of in-service training is done in schools. The same thing could be achieved with an online video and a brief questionnaire.
ReplyDeleteIn-service training could be accomplished in the 2.5 months that teachers are inactive during the summer. Why does it have to be during the school year?
ReplyDeleteBecause of the contract. Guess you have not clue that teachers are paid for 190 days. I’d gladly come in over the summer at $23 and hour.
DeleteMaybe you should “come in over the summer at $23 AND hour” and work on your spelling, grammar and spell check. If you are a teacher, it’s “an” hour. I love when teachers come on and make grammatical errors yet hold the children to different standards like spelling and grammar.
Delete
ReplyDeleteSome good comments, and some uninformed.
PD is designed (ideally) to make sure skills are keeping pace with changes in technology (many), curriculum, state and federal mandates, modifications to existing programs and new approaches just to name a few goals. It is a dynamic environment.
Some sessions involve all teachers at a school, and some just have those teaching the same subject at several schools in certain grades. A more relaxed day but task focused.
All the employees annually complete a variety of required on-line courses on certain topics related to their job; safety, first aid, etc. Completion and quiz scores are recorded.
Teachers also have mandated faculty meetings monthly after school hours, and are on a variety of committees that also meet after school hours to address various topics.
Principals and higher administrators determine if outside speakers are appropriate for a particular school, subject area or grade gathering. Generally not used.
Teams have meetings to ensure players understand the game plan. Same for teachers.
Just a more accurate explanation.
We meet by subject area on almost every professional day. Speaking of uninformed.
DeleteJust like the March 29th make up day where students have a 2 hour early dismissal while teacher utilize the remainder of the day for PD is how EVERY PD should be. Maybe school wouldn’t be in session half of June, along with a shorter Christmas break. Heck you might even could expand the Easter break by a day or two! Half of those professional days are pointless and nothing that couldn’t be accomplished in a half day. I just don’t understand the logic behind being in school almost all of June when this is a community where summers thrive in terms of employment.
ReplyDelete