Speak Out: Should School Start After Labor Day?
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says Maryland's families and economy would benefit from a later school year start. Do you agree?
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Should public schools open after Labor Day? Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says they should.
Citing the benefits to Maryland families, small businesses and tourism, Franchot called for a policy change to have all school systems in the state begin classes after Labor Day weekend, according to a press release.
Most state school systems now begin classes a week to 10 days before the end-of-summer holiday, which takes place this year on Monday, Sept. 3.
For the 2012-2013 school year, Montgomery County Public Schools will begin classes on Monday, Aug. 27. Nearby, in Prince George's County, students will begin classes on Monday, Aug. 20. Teachers generally report back to school a week before the students.
'The chance for families to spend precious time together and to build those lifelong memories during that final, end-of-summer vacation has been lost by the decision to begin school ... before Labor Day," Franchot said.
Last year, Maryland welcomed over 32 million domestic travelers. The tourism sector employs over 340,000 Marylanders. A typical August week in Ocean City generates almost $5 million in state and local revenues. A holiday weekend generates nearly $3 million. Other states—such as Virginia—that have adopted the policy of starting school after Labor Day have documented the policy's benefits to their state and local economies, Franchot said in a press release.
Franchot added that the state's school systems should be able to adjust their calendars while maintaining the 180-day academic year.
"And the best part is that doing this doesn't cost anything ... it will actually generate more than $4 million in additional revenue for our state and local governments. This would be a win for Maryland’s families and our economy," Franchot said.
Do you agree with the comptroller? Should school start after Labor Day? How would your family benefit from a later school year start? Tell us in the comments.
Bill Redmond
5:25 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Growing up in suburban Philly, we never went back to school before Labor Day. I think that is still the case for my nephew there. He may get out a week later.
When MCPS started to consistently open the schools before Labor Day, I was stunned to discover that the public pools were also closing before Labor Day, before the traditional end of summer. Of course, a lot of the lifeguards are college students who are also going back before Labor Day. When I was in college, we started classes the day after Labor Day but arrived a week early to register, buy books, get our rooms set up, and hang with friends before the pressures of classes began.
I would like to see us go back to ending summer on Labor Day.
Eva Sullivan
9:56 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Please wait until Labor for Back to School. And while you're at it, please push back the start time for high schools! 7:25 is TOO EARLY!
Joe Thomas
10:51 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
If you wait until after Labor Day then they will be going to school until June 24th.
7:25 is just fine for high school students. What are they going to do in college if they have an 8:00am class? Whine to the professor that its too early? What are they going to do when they get a job and have to be in the office at 8? Tell the boss its too early? High school is practice for life. Put away the cell phones, and texting devices, and go to bed earlier.
roger perez
9:18 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
grew up in moco my entire life and we always went to school day after labor day. if i am not mistaken we ended the year june 17th. Was a win for families,we still got great education,was a win for commerce and the state. outstanding idea to return to what i remember also as a kid and adolescent was a great time and knowing that my work clock must kick in as the start of september was no longer summer. i would vote for school to start that day after labor day!! awesome idea
Jeff Hawkins
9:23 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
Yes.....the first day of school should be the day "after" Labor Day.
Pat Schneider Campbell
10:13 am on Friday, April 20, 2012
GREAT IDEA to go back to the way it was!!
Norbert
4:40 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Horrible idea. High stakes tests like the AP are the first two full weeks of May. School should start the second week of AUGUST and end before Memorial Day, as it does in many districts out west. This provides students with more time in the classroom BEFORE these tests are administered. You know what goes on in classrooms after the high stakes tests are completed by the end of the second week in May each year? Very little, that's what. Franchot's idea would make a bad situation worse. BTW, what's wrong with being off the beginning of June as opposed to the end of August? It's warm in June; in fact the weather is nicer then than in late August. The tourist industry would adjust as people would take vacations in June-July as opposed to July-August.
To reiterate; this is a DUMB idea!
jnrentz1
4:52 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
The Tuesday after Labor Day should be the first day of school.
In addition the Montgomery County Public School System should celebrate the Columbus Day Weekend with schools being closed that Monday.
Elizabeth Forbes Wallace
8:20 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
It's "uncivilized" to start before Labor Day! :)
bunny
9:24 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
schools should go back after labor day it would benefits me for several reasons vacation as some companys tell you when togo on vacation and it isn t aleways [possable for a vacation before labor dayand its just not right also my son works the md state fair every year and when he has to go back to school
before labor day it cuts into bussiness at the fair
bunny schwing
Rob K
2:59 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
Yes, please go back to after labor day!!!