Curious why Atlanta schools begin in August? (Forsyth, White: 2015, school districts)

[AfternoonCoffee]

Originally Posted by Alicia64

Not complaining, just curious. It looks like public schools begin on 8/10.

When I was a kid we started in Sept.

Is there a reason schools start so early here -- when it's still so hot? I'd think the school system would want to save on a/c by starting in Sept.

Alley

Oh, also, I know Cobb school board did a study a few yrs ago that the lower A/C costs were minimal and completely dwarfed by saving an enormous amount by teachers taking less days off. Apparently, teachers use those extra weeks off to schedule surgeries, appointments, etc that otherwise would be done by taking a school day off and paying a substitute. If I remember correctly, this was an unforeseen benefit of the school calendar.

[PKCorey]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Expecting kids to go back to school when it's in the mid 90s outside seems really odd to me. Are they even allowed out for recess?

Depends on the heat index, most times, no, indoor recess.

[ElleKaye]

When I was a child, we started school in September as well and I'm from much deeper in the south so heat isn't really a factor I consider relevant.

I think that part of it is that school systems or whoever the they are have decided students need to be in class a certain number of days a year. When I was in school, our major holidays were Christmas and Spring Break. There are way more breaks now throughout the year so I assume those days are being made up, resulting in a longer school year.

Also, I really believe that it's a slow push in transitioning into a year round school year. I think that's a horrible idea, but there are many people who feel otherwise.

[Newsboy]

THIS IS THE REASON FOLKS:
Georgia school districts operate on a 180-day school calendar split into two 90-day semesters (give or take), which is 18 weeks -- or roughly 4.5 months each. The reason school starts in EARLY AUGUST is so the HOLIDAY BREAK falls in the middle of the two semesters. When kids go home for Christmas they are DONE for the first semester. When they return in January, the second semester starts fresh. GET IT?

Also: The August-May two-semester calendar matches up with the university system, allowing teachers to take their required education classes in the summer. Under the old system, many public schools didn't get out until mid-June AFTER the colleges had already started their summer sessions.

The heat thing is really a non-issue since practically every single classroom in the state of Georgia is now full air-conditioned. Also, many school districts in South Georgia (and in Florida) have air-conditioned bus fleets -- even though it's a pretty costly thing to do.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

THIS IS THE REASON FOLKS:
Georgia school districts operate on a 180-day school calendar split into two 90-day semesters (give or take), which is 18 weeks -- or roughly 4.5 months each. The reason school starts in EARLY AUGUST is so the HOLIDAY BREAK falls in the middle of the two semesters. When kids go home for Christmas they are DONE for the first semester. When they return in January, the second semester starts fresh. GET IT?

Also: The August-May two-semester calendar matches up with the university system, allowing teachers to take their required education classes in the summer. Under the old system, many public schools didn't get out until mid-June AFTER the colleges had already started their summer sessions.

The heat thing is really a non-issue since practically every single classroom in the state of Georgia is now full air-conditioned. Also, many school districts in South Georgia (and in Florida) have air-conditioned bus fleets -- even though it's a pretty costly thing to do.

Bingo. Never had an issue with mid-August to late-May because of this.

[demonta4]

What Atlanta school system bus doesn't have air conditioning?

[cqholt]

It works out that the end of the semester is Christmas break and Memorial Day.

[CCATL]

Originally Posted by MattCW

Some "phd" has to justify their latest research that claims that kids retain knowledge better with a shorter summer. Which is garbage. I'm surprised Disney hasn't totally revolted yet. (Other places have spoken out, but once Disney does, that'll be all she wrote)

Summer learning loss is a real thing. Those with "PhD's" who are experts in the field have performed numerous peer reviewed research studies proving that this is true. It is extremely important that students do not take an extended period of time (like during the summer) without doing anything academically stimulating. Those that do often fall grade levels behind their peers over the K-12 timeframe. I love how everybody is an expert in education. Next time your doctor tells you to take a pill because you have a chronic illness, don't do it and wait for the consequences. You know, those people with "MDs" have to justify their latest research.

In any case, this is not the reason Georgia has the academic calendar that it does in place. I believe Newsboy is correct in his response. The calendar we have makes much more sense for students and teachers in terms of exam schedules, state testing mandates, etc.

[AtlJan]

Summer learning gain: My kids can climb trees, sing songs, chop wood, tie knots, sail a small sailboat, kayak, build a fire, write produce direct perform a skit in front of an audience, square dance, do simple carpentry, identify certain snakes indigenous to Georgia--all because of what we did this summer--and they are only 6 and 8 years old. I am sure their book-learning dropped off some while we were at it, but it was all worth it.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by AtlJan

Summer learning gain: My kids can climb trees, sing songs, chop wood, tie knots, sail a small sailboat, kayak, build a fire, write produce direct perform a skit in front of an audience, square dance, do simple carpentry, identify certain snakes indigenous to Georgia--all because of what we did this summer--and they are only 6 and 8 years old. I am sure their book-learning dropped off some while we were at it, but it was all worth it.

They'll still have 10 weeks to do that.