tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post8124308721610664669..comments2024-03-08T00:17:09.224-08:00Comments on The Daily Grind: Bad TimingMr. McNamarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062641578010808106noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post-44759300623981104022011-01-21T08:14:09.046-08:002011-01-21T08:14:09.046-08:00Braemar Here.
Although the weather has put a glitc...Braemar Here.<br />Although the weather has put a glitch into the year-ago winter planning, we cannot know what will happen that far ahead. <br /><br />You may be foused on the need for sudden and frequent reminders just before testing. In the big picture, the tests cover many years of teaching and long formed habits. Some districts believe a break is good to gear up for the testing period. <br /><br />Windham calendar planning in the big picture must take surrounding towns and contracted students from Columbia into account as well. <br />There is a big push for regional calendars. We in SE CT at LEARN RESC, 24 districts are making an effort to do so. Many htere want to start after Labor Day becasue of the tourism market.<br /><br />Another difficulty there is also that when the regional calendar came out recommending the 4 day February break, staff and parents said, NO. We need the break to stop the spread of those germs sometimes causing illness so pervasive that there are never enough substitutes to cover classes. Then students can not go on to new material with many missing. <br /><br />Some districts say, if we do a short break, they'll take their kids on vacation anyway. We will be low on attendance and get little done. <br /><br />So bigger picture that BOEs look at in long range calendar planning:<br />Tests, important but success not made on a few days practice. Connections to families of surrounding towns for staff and students also important. Absentee predictions...<br />Playing devil's advocate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com