School start dates

[josh777]

Ames starts school August 18, which I think seems rather early. Kids were in school through the first few days of June, it feels like a shortened summer. My cynical side thinks the late finishes/early starts are due to excessive amounts of in-service teacher trainings and time out for conferences and mid-semester breaks. I wish kids were out before Memorial Day and didn't start until after Labor Day.

Anyone else share such concerns/thoughts?

[theshadow]

I think a full week of "spring break" and 2 full weeks over Xmas/New Year's are unnecessary.

Whittle those down and they'd be getting out May 18 instead of May 25 (barring any snow days).

[istater7]

We start on the 16th in Monticello..seems like they make it earlier and earlier every year. Honestly, in Iowa I don't think that it would be possible to start after Labor Day and get done before Memorial Day because of the snow. As long as we don't go into June (which we haven't for a while) I'm fine with it.

[alarson]

It really should start after labor day (or no earlier than the week before) and end before memorial day. Schools have more than enough time to teach what needs to be taught in that timeframe.

[tm3308]

Personally, I'd rather have been in school into June than start in August. It's hotter in August, and we didn't have air conditioning.

Now, it doesn't matter much, as I'm always out before the high schools, even with a week for Thanksgiving and spring break, and a month for Christmas.

[theshadow]

You can get at least 176 school days between Sept. 6 (Labor Day is the 5th) and May 25 (Memorial Day is the 28th).

Just looking at the Ames calendar, they have 2 days off (1 per semester) because of parent/teacher conferences and 2 days off for workshops/teacher work days. Xmas break starts Monday 12/19 (could easily have classes thru Wed 12/21 and start break on Thu 12/22). You could also knock at least 3 days off the "spring break".

That right there cuts 10 days (2 weeks!) off the school year.