Cell service is down in the area. I think it may be almost state-wide. Ugh!

It reaches all the way down here in Alabama too. How weird.

Yeah. I wish it still did. I wouldn't even mind if they went a little later. Right now they start in August in the heat of the summer. Most of the time it's too hot for them to go out for recess. Then get out in May. I think it would be much more cost efficient to got Sept-early June.

An earlier start date gives teachers more instructional time before statewide assessment tests in the spring. Several experts agreed that this is one of the biggest factors pushing calendars back.
Beginning in August allows students to complete the first semester before the December holiday break, rather than taking tests and turning in big projects after two weeks off. Teachers don't have to spend time reviewing material in January when they should be starting new lessons. Those were some of the reasons given by the Los Angeles Unified School District when it moved up its start date in 2012.
Starting early allows for a fall break in September or October and a winter break around February, in addition to breaks around Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Teachers are happier and kids behave better when they have more breaks throughout the year, said Rebecca Kaye, the Atlanta Public Schools policy and governance adviser, who makes the yearly calendar. "Learning is hard work, and teaching is hard work, and people need breaks," Kaye said. "We have gotten feedback from our employees that they need that time."
When you start after Labor Day and end school in June, that last month is simply not taken as seriously. "That end of the year is perceived as being time that is sometimes not used to the maximum value," Kaye said. And in fact, when Atlanta schools ended in June, a lot of kids simply didn't show up after Memorial Day. "Even though we were having school after Memorial Day, people had it in their minds that school ended. It may seem ridiculous, but that's what happened."
Many graduating students and staff members take summer courses at colleges and universities. Ending school around Memorial Day creates fewer conflicts for them.

"Learning is hard work, and teaching is hard work, and people need breaks," Kaye said.

It's state law in WI--that schools can't start until Sept. 1--for the benefit of the tourism.

Nothing quite like seeing a 10 point buck with three of his 8 point buddies on your game camera - time stamped 20 minutes before you came in to check it. You can't eat antlers, but they sure do look nice on the wall while you enjoy a nice venison tenderloin....