Old news...exciting...etc.

When I was growing up the answer was always C. WTH?

What school? kids should be working behind a mop.

Just like Gingrich said.

C?

Michigan did this several years ago. The early start to the school year was cutting in on tourist dollars over the Labor Day weekend. Public schools don't start until after Labor Day.

No shiat. I grew up in NOVA during the 80's and 90's. We called it the King's Dominion Law.

The correct answer following the rule of meme is always c.

/there goes my grade point average

lunkhed: C?

Comes after B, but before D?

It seems that since 1986
This statement makes this whole article no longer news. It's more of a reminder.

I remember when this went into effect, I was in 1st or 2nd grade. I also seem to recall going to school before Labor Day numerous times after that. I guess I could be wrong though.

/My lawn... did I remember to mow it?

There are 2 crappy theme parks and they have an incredible amount of power here. It makes no sense.

Though as fewer teens are hired for these jobs and they go instead to adults who have recently immigrated to do these relatively easy jobs, the school year factor will matter less.

In North Carolina the first day of school is determined by the beach tourist industry. They forced the state legislature several years ago to pass a law that school could not begin before August 25th. This was done on the direct reasoning that the beach tourist industry needed to protect their profits by having a long season that extended into late August.

Daylight savings, same lobby, no surprise, etc.

Honestly what cruel bastards want school to begin before labor day?

I don't think it's really all that hard for schools to get waivers, I grew up in Charlottesville, and now live in Richmond, and, this is admittedly anecdotal, most schools seem to start in August now. Some of my friends from out of state have actually commented on how odd it is that so many VA public schools start so early.

Also, this law is 25 years old. Doesn't Slate have better things to cover? or at least more recent? I hear George H.W. Bush lost the 1992 presidential election.

/also this thing called the internet was invented.

Zeddediah: Honestly what cruel bastards want school to begin before labor day?

September 1 (built around weekends). No exceptions. Labor day would be another school holiday.

Private schools don't have to follow it. Our Catholic school started and ended a week earlier.

I knew a kid back in those days who would call his public school friends on the first Sunday of his summer vacation and say something like this:

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to hit the movies tomorrow around 1 o'clock?"
"Uh.... I'm going to be in school tomorrow."
"Oh yeah. Hah!" *click*

itsfullofstars: There are 2 crappy theme parks and they have an incredible amount of power here. It makes no sense.

Though as fewer teens are hired for these jobs and they go instead to adults who have recently immigrated to do these relatively easy jobs, the school year factor will matter less.

3, Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens and Water Country US.

Zeddediah: Honestly what cruel bastards want school to begin before labor day?

The ones who want the school year to end before June 22.

Poldana: Michigan did this several years ago. The early start to the school year was cutting in on tourist dollars over the Labor Day weekend. Public schools don't start until after Labor Day.

And at least in our district, we didn't get back out again until ~June 24th, basically killing any significance to Memorial Day.

/Despite cutting a week from Christmas break, nearly eliminating Winter Break, and cutting back to a 3 day Spring Break.
//Why is it that my university can go from Labor Day to April 28th (with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring breaks), and do just fine, and the schools have to go 2 months after that?

My kid goes to public school in VA and his first day was August 29.

Roller Coaster Tycoon, the Lobbyist edition.

icallhimgamblor: My kid goes to public school in VA and his first day was August 29.

Individual districts can ask for a one-year waiver based on weather history.

Growing up school always started for me the day after Labor day. I miss summer vacations this adult crap sucks!

Subtle_Canary: Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens and Water Country US.

Meh, I guess Water Country USA could be considered a theme park for these purposes but then the other seasonal water parks that hire teens should also be included:

Ocean Breeze Waterpark in Virginia Beach and SplashDown in Manassas, and WaterWorks in Doswell

What's the BFD? It might even be a good thing we have a bunch of under-educated kids. Our Chinese overlords will appreciate that they can ride roller-coasters all summer long. Gotta keep the man happy!

Zeddediah: Honestly what cruel bastards want school to begin before labor day?

Most schools in the South start in mid-August and end by the beginning of June or late May. It has been this way for over 60 years...

Only the idiots in the North would have school start after labor day and end in late June.

meyerkev: Why is it that my university can go from Labor Day to April 28th (with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring breaks), and do just fine, and the schools have to go 2 months after that?

1 -- The brain of a 19 or 20 year old is significantly different than that of a 7 or 8 year old and thus you learn differently.
2 -- In college, you take complete, beginning-to-end classes inside of those semesters. In elementary and middle school, in particular, you're building on a foundation of knowledge from year to year that is more continuous.
3 -- Schools are out there to actually teach you. Most universities couldn't give two shiats if you learn anything, as long as you keep shelling out the $30k a year in tuition.

I am fully in support of children having a longer summer vacation.

What, like they're going to learn anything while in school? DAMN NO!

Zeddediah: Honestly what cruel bastards want school to begin before labor day?

Yeah, I guess we're awful parents for assigning homework over the summer vacation.

I watched a child go from 2 grades below reading level, not understanding material presented, and getting at most 50% on tests to straight A's in less than one year.

/jeez, its hard to be vague and specific at the same time
//first rule of FP'ing is you don't talk about FP'ing

meanmutton: 3 -- Schools are out there to actually teach you.

I roundly reject this statement, though I fully support your follow-on. Uni's just want the cash, but you might accidentally hook up with an intelligent professor/TA/student and you just might learn something!

/most notably, how to teach yourself.

Wellon Dowd: Zeddediah: Honestly what cruel bastards want school to begin before labor day?

The ones who want the school year to end before June 22.

Maybe I'm just Veteran Young Guy here or something but why should summer vacation start before, well, summer?

Wonko Fortytwo: Zeddediah: Honestly what cruel bastards want school to begin before labor day?

September 1 (built around weekends). No exceptions. Labor day would be another school holiday.


I want my son to be off school as many days as possible. I believe he learns as much from rest/daydreaming/talking with family and friends as he does from school. school stuff is very important, but so is time when nothing is expected of him and I want him to learn that for later use in life so that he values his life as much as work.

I see people trying to expand the school year as people also trying to destroy childhood.

Petey4335: Yeah, I guess we're awful parents for assigning homework over the summer vacation.

I watched a child go from 2 grades below reading level, not understanding material presented, and getting at most 50% on tests to straight A's in less than one year.

This sounds like one-on-one tutoring; does this have anything to do with school?

Nephew started school on August 15th.

Parents out here are trying to get school to start after Labor Day. Wish they would.

/Of course, we have legitimate snow days in Colorado. It takes at least a foot for cancellations.

arcsecond: No shiat. I grew up in NOVA during the 80's and 90's. We called it the King's Dominion Law.

Yep and some counties can open for business earlier if they get an exemption, which many do, mine included. My daughter starts school a week or so before Labor Day.

Old news..exciting, indeed...

The only decent thing about that state is King's Dominion, so why shouldn't they have some influence? I say this as a man who gladly fled the state years ago and may or may not still have a warrant there.

Ahhh, Gangs Dominion... so many memories...

Zeddediah: Wonko Fortytwo: Zeddediah: Honestly what cruel bastards want school to begin before labor day?

September 1 (built around weekends). No exceptions. Labor day would be another school holiday.


I want my son to be off school as many days as possible. I believe he learns as much from rest/daydreaming/talking with family and friends as he does from school. school stuff is very important, but so is time when nothing is expected of him and I want him to learn that for later use in life so that he values his life as much as work.

I see people trying to expand the school year as people also trying to destroy childhood.

I see people trying to cut back on school as the reason Asian countries are surpassing us.

Probably a headache for NoVA drivers. First day of school + Labor Day traffic = headache.

wait wait wait...just wait...

do all of you mean to tell me that business has any kind of influence in law-making?

Priorities
You got to have them.