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Virginia school district expands academic year to 200 days. Here’s how parents and teachers are responding
The hottest days of summer vacation are stopped cold in the capital of Virginia.
While most schools nationwide are just starting the academic year, Richmond Public Schools opened the school year for some of its elementary schools on July 22. The city started to experiment with a longer school year in 2023 in an attempt to make up for learning loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
School officials said the first year was so successful that they expanded to more schools for the 2024-2025 school year.
Student and parent reaction
Fairfield Court Elementary is one of the schools already in month two of its 200-day school year. The response has been positive from both parents and students.
Miyonn Williams, a fifth grader, said she enjoys being at school to see her friends.
Kirsten Ingram has a student in second grade. She said she was surprised at first when the school year expanded.
“When I saw that the teachers were actually excited about adding 20 days to their work calendar. I was like, ‘What? Y’all are crazy. OK.’ But their excitement, their excitement kind of spread.”
In her community, where 97% of students are below the poverty line, Ingram said other parents increasingly love the extended year.
“As a single parent, I’m not gonna lie to you. Especially being away from the grandparents, those 20 days of them being in school helps me a little bit.”
The school system allowed the teachers and the parents in the community to vote if they wanted to participate. At Fairfield Court, more than 90% of parents approved in the program’s first year.
Teacher response
The teachers who agree get a $10,000 bonus and 10% raise for the extra work, or a guaranteed transfer elsewhere.
“I saw stamina increase, fluency increase, use of vocabulary. There was growth all the way around,” reading teacher Tiffany Sneed said.
Fairfield Court principal Alicia Wright said only two of her teachers opted out. To avoid staff burnout, the school is cutting back on after school meetings.
“Time is key for educators, they want that time back,” she said. “Whenever you can give them time, that’s golden.”
Superintendent Jason Kamras acknowledges an extended academic year is expensive. They’re relying on some funding from philanthropists to avoid breaking the budget and say it might be best suited for younger students.
“When you’re in elementary school, you pretty much love going to school. You love to see your teachers and certainly for families, the idea of a month where your kids are gonna get extra learning, less child care concerns, it’s a huge, huge benefit,” he said.
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How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.
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How to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts NFL game today: Livestream options, more
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The Detroit Lions will face off against the Indianapolis Colts today. The Lions enter this game as top contenders with a near-perfect record of 9-1 so far this season. The Colts, who are 5-6 this season, could have a tough game on their hands against the Lions but will be looking to rack up another win after prevailing over the New York Jets in a tight game last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Colts vs. Lions game today, whether or not you have cable.
Here’s how and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Lions vs. Colts game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Experience NFL action like never before with Fubo’s comprehensive sports streaming platform. From Sunday showdowns to primetime matchups, catch every NFL game across major networks including CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Choose the Pro package to unlock 200+ channels and limitless DVR storage, or elevate your game-day experience with the Elite with Sports Plus package, featuring NFL RedZone’s commercial-free scoring highlights and stunning 4K quality.
Test drive the service with a no-commitment seven-day free trial, and share the excitement with family and friends — Fubo supports simultaneous streaming on up to 10 devices, so everyone can watch their favorite teams.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games, and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.