Weeks off for schools should be kept to Christmas/Spring Break
The Issue
Working parents cannot continue to take WEEKS off for schools.
As a working parent, and for others that are working from home, 2020 has become a struggle with balancing school and work. More and more schools are wanting to take weeks off at a time (i.e. Thanksgiving, tropical storms), rather than spreading out days off throughout the school year. I realize they have to stay in compliance with 180 days, but for working parents it is a struggle to use their PTO when they have to take a WEEK off for Thanksgiving, two (sometimes more) WEEKS off for Christmas break, followed by a WEEK off for spring break. That does not give working parents enough time to accrue more PTO, nor is it fair for those to then have to pay for a nanny/sitter as well. Not to mention those that are working from home and have to balance work life with home life. Those working in the medical field, this is their busiest time of year and taking off long lengths isn't always doable. It is much easier for a working parent to take one day off here and there throughout the year, rather than having to take off an entire week. As someone who lost their job during the pandemic, and recently starting a new one, I have not accrued any PTO to take off these long lengths of time. Also, I am in the medical field.
This also goes for continuing to keep schools open during tropical storms. It is not a hurricane, and the kids will be safe inside their school building. Parents have to work during tropical storms, and cannot afford to use PTO for that as well. As working parents, we went to school during low category hurricanes, so we believe our kids will be safe at school during tropical storms.
Working parents are not asking for much, but please have school Monday-Wednesday (even if Wednesday is a half day) the week of Thanksgiving, keep Christmas break to only two weeks, and only close during EMERGENCY conditions. We ask that the county school boards, and those that create the school calendars, to please consider this for those that are trying to provide for their children.
The Issue
Working parents cannot continue to take WEEKS off for schools.
As a working parent, and for others that are working from home, 2020 has become a struggle with balancing school and work. More and more schools are wanting to take weeks off at a time (i.e. Thanksgiving, tropical storms), rather than spreading out days off throughout the school year. I realize they have to stay in compliance with 180 days, but for working parents it is a struggle to use their PTO when they have to take a WEEK off for Thanksgiving, two (sometimes more) WEEKS off for Christmas break, followed by a WEEK off for spring break. That does not give working parents enough time to accrue more PTO, nor is it fair for those to then have to pay for a nanny/sitter as well. Not to mention those that are working from home and have to balance work life with home life. Those working in the medical field, this is their busiest time of year and taking off long lengths isn't always doable. It is much easier for a working parent to take one day off here and there throughout the year, rather than having to take off an entire week. As someone who lost their job during the pandemic, and recently starting a new one, I have not accrued any PTO to take off these long lengths of time. Also, I am in the medical field.
This also goes for continuing to keep schools open during tropical storms. It is not a hurricane, and the kids will be safe inside their school building. Parents have to work during tropical storms, and cannot afford to use PTO for that as well. As working parents, we went to school during low category hurricanes, so we believe our kids will be safe at school during tropical storms.
Working parents are not asking for much, but please have school Monday-Wednesday (even if Wednesday is a half day) the week of Thanksgiving, keep Christmas break to only two weeks, and only close during EMERGENCY conditions. We ask that the county school boards, and those that create the school calendars, to please consider this for those that are trying to provide for their children.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on November 25, 2020