SCHOOL (a little early?)

Hey People,
Today is September 1st, a kid's worst nightmare. It means " Summer is over, school for 9 months". My question is, can they really start school before September 1st? I mean, in warm places like Florida, where it's like summer all year, and they get out in May to avoid the heat, It's ok. In places like New England, where schools are beginning in August for no reason, I don't get it. Yes, they could start early to avoid the "Snow day add ons in July". But here, we really don't have it that bad. We generally pull through when those happen. I thought there used to be a rule, schools start AFTER Labor Day. Yet some people were supposed to start this past Monday (if not for Irene). From what I know, and correct me if I'm wrong, MA schools are required to be in session 180 days. I add that up to the day after Labor day, I get March 4. Add on a month for vacations and days off thats April 4th. Add like 2 months of weekends, that's June 4th. This is obviously just quick math, I'm probably off by a week, or 2, but my point is, Why start in August? Why take away that summer time? Why not give kids that extra week to read their summer reading books? I know when I was in middle school, I could've used that time. Especially in Elementary school and early middle school, they don't need that extra school time. They have no exams to take up class time, to take and prep. All they do in elementary and early middle school, is learn, and take a few quizzes. It does not take that much time.
If anyone reading this happens to work for the Department of Education, and would like to explain, please comment on this post!
That's my opinion. Take it or leave it.