EXCLUSIVE: MCPS Survey Results from Teachers, Staff and Parents on Innovative School Year Calendar Pilot at Roscoe Nix and Arcola Elem. Schools

Follow the advocacy on the Innovative School Year calendar at Roscoe Nix ES and Arcola ES at this link. 

Staff comments: 

Ditch the ISY Calendar and make us traditional with an ELO Sail program WE ARE TIRED!!!!!!! 

The curriculum is never ready for us and they are not getting any additional material just starting early. MCPS has to release the data showing how the extended calendar does not benefit their academic goals. No data shows that they are ahead and have fewer gaps than students who are part of a traditional calendar. It keeps on coming up that the teacher turnover is not bad at all but it is and this year will be when you see it the most. Teachers' voices need to be heard as well. We are the ones who have to get ready for the school year and there is not enough time. The burnout is horrible and the fact that the county doesn't consider their staff is disappointing. 

THIS CALENDAR should be an option, not an obligation. Families and Staff should be able to choose if they want to work in the summer. Taking into consideration staff mental health is essential and this is something that is being ignored. The money spent on this program is worthless. Every day we ensure our students needs are being met, we give our all but when it is time to make a change that is affecting mental health we are ignored. 

My students, colleagues, and I are burnt out and overwhelmed by the weight of the additional work during the summer. 

STOP ISY IT DOESN'T WORK, THE KIDS ARE STRESSED, PARENTS SEE IT AS A BABYSITTER AND DON'T ASK FOR CHANGE IN DATA WITH ISY, STAFF IS OVERWHELMED WITH STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND ABSENTISM. THE ONLY ONES THAT WORK ARE THE STAFF. PARENTS TAKE THEIR KIDS OUT FOR VACATION AND OR SEND THEM TO SCHOOL SICK SO THEY ARE NOT COUNTED AS ABSENCETISM WHICH HELPS THE SPREAD OF COVID, VIRAL INFECTION AND MALAISE. 

Why are we continuing to push this calendar when we DO NOT HAVE DATA to support that this program is benefiting our students? 

When are we going to address STUDENT AND STAFF BURNOUT? The calendar scenarios above are not completely truthful in that the time listed as breaks do not account for our 5 days of pre-service or any mandatory trainings we must attend. WE ARE TIRED. NO ONE IS LISTENING

2024-2025 Survey Feedback Innovative School Year Calendar MCPS by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland on Scribd