I hope I didn't put this in the wrong forum. (Sorry if it is) I guess I really shouldn't have been surprised when I read this, but it was. Thoughts? http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20070224/45dfc650_3ca6_1552620070224-594929444
I just read an email about it. Instead of "Have a good day at school.", it's "Have a good day at work". There is no time for family and I didn't read any wheres about sports either. If kids don't get out until 5 and have to take a bus, they be home just in time for dinner. We eat at 4:30-5:00 most nights here. Then soon after dinner they have to get ready for the next day and then bed. Up to be at school at 7:30 am. I hope this doesn't happen in the future.
I read that on my yahoo page. It's crazy!!! Don't they realize what that's going to do???? What about Family time or childhood?? I don't get it? Just another reason to homeschool. I was telling my husband about it and he feels the same way. The kids have missed several days of school this year due to ice storms. NOT even major ones. By 10am the roads were completely clear. Anyhow, We were informed that if they have to have anymore bad weather days the kids will be making up the days in Saturday school. It's not the kids fault that someone canceled school and besides that,Saturdays are our family time!!! Only 2 more months of school and we won't have to worry about that nonsense anymore. I just think It's stupid!!! It's hard enough for my kids to go from 8-3:30. I can't imagine them going any longer. I hope this doesn't become the norm for public schools. Those poor kids. Angela
It is interesting that the article doesn't mention that this automatically provides longer childcare for working parents. I wonder if that is part of the hidden agenda?
If the parents are fine with this, what's wrong with it? I think the electives sound fun and they're free. There's nothing at all like that in these schools. I see what they're doing as a good thing.
I read about this today and was going to post something on it - you beat me to it!! My first thought was "Oh those poor children!" But then I thought about the single moms who have to work and maybe this is a good thing for those kids. I agree with Becky that the electives sound fun. I think it is a good oportunity for kids who may not have another option. I am free to be at home a hs my chidlren and I wouldn't have it any other way for my family but realisticly this option isn't available to everyone. I think this could be really good for some kids - maybe not all - but a lot.
extended school day I too, don't see this as all bad. If it improves grades and improves student's performance, than isn't that what school is all about? Maybe the looooong trend in public school (dumbing down the curr) is coming full circle. As student ability increases, so does their self confidence. Students continue to improve their performance, parents are pleased (apparently), so I think this is an experiment worth trying. And yes, it does suit working parents...if kids are w/out parents till 6pm or later anyway, a longer school day really doesn't take much away from 'family time', does it? I believe parents should raise their children, and in the world we live in today, their are many styles & methods. In my world, one parent home w/chldren full time is the way to go. If not possible, then do the best you can. If school can fill in hours when parents aren't available, I think that can be a good thing. If my homeschool daughter were still in public school tho, I know it wouldn't work for her...so clearly...extended day school is not for all. I guess I'm all over the map on this, so I'm glad I'm out of the fray! Diane
As long as I can still pick my kid up at 3pm or they can still play sports at the normal time, I could care less. If it is mandated that ALL kids have to stay until 5pm, I think that is just plain crazy.
Leaders who still believe in the PS school system will push for this. This gives more time for "less fortunate" kids to catch up academically. Additionally many in low income districts will see this as an advantage as it reduces day care expences and promises better performance from their sutdents. I guess later the Gov. schools can just house and feed them too. Oh wait the feeding thing is an option, so only the bunk will be and add on. DO you think they will start wearing brown shirts, or carrying little red books? Sarcasm off.
Kris, it's so funny you said that about the Chinese and Japanese parents! After I read the story I thought to myself, 'I bet the Oriental parents don't sit around and mourn family time!' They have such high academic standards there. This country should be so inclined.
Becky, I agree with you. Makes you wonder, doesn't it. Sometimes. I know when I say this there will be lots of rotten tomatoes thrown at me. But, before you do it remember this is my opinon my opinon only, I sometimes think we need more schooling for our children, maybe there wouldn't be as many gangs, and as much trouble going on if they were in school more or had something to do. Remember my opinon only.
It's true- make something available, free or affordable, and the kids won't have time to get in trouble. Plus they'll learn.
I don't think the longer hours are necessarily a bad thing. It depends on how they apply this. American children are generally undereducated, so if this helps, great. They are using this in areas where the kids would be getting into trouble anyway and probably have little or no parental supervision after school. It may not be the right thing for everyone, but I think it could definately be a positive thing.
The longer hours are crazy they better make sure they give them a snack cause I remember by the time I got home from my 2 hours on being on that bus I was starving! They should just go into summer vacation time. Most the kids that are in sports go back anyways to practice to get ready for the fall they are already there plus it makes it easier for the family not to have a baby sitter during the summer. I remember girls at girl Scout camp being there all summer cause the parents didnt know where to put them so they sent them to camp all summer. I guess this is a normal thing for most states to send your kids to summer camp all summer??? I am curious about that. My daughter goes only for a week sometimes two but thats the max Sam
I really don't see it as a bad thing either and it looks like they are implementing fun activities that they wouldn't have in a regular school day. I agree though that as long as I was able to pick my child up at 3:30 or whatever, then I wouldn't have a problem with it. I hated the hours at the schools in our county. Start time was 8:55, and pickup was 3:40. By the time dd came out to the car it was pushing 4 o'clock. Really annoying. If she'd taken the bus home she wouldn't have been home till quarter to 5. I do however know that most countries do this longer day schedule and their education is leaps ahead of the public education here. This is off subject lol, but I saw a study that VA put out last week that VA has some of the highest hs graduates and test scores for elementary schools. I said to dh it's because the standards are low. YOu look at the curriculum guideline and compare it to other states who fall below our percentage and they expect a lot more out of their students.
How does it improve grades? The only thing that will do that is for parents to be involved in education, and discipline to be restored to the schools. This continues to take the "responsibility" off the parents and put it on the government. Plus, it will cost more in wages, building upkeep, etc. Kids will learn best when they're allowed to BE KIDS, and when their parents take primary responsibility for their education. That's why homeschool works! Look at the kids that are doing well in private/public schools. It's the ones whose parents are involved! (And yes, I DO know there's involved parents whose kids are falling through the cracks! I'm not saying that being involved is a guarantee!)
My thought exactly! We live in a society where many people believe it is everyone elses responsibility to take care of our responsibilities.... No tomato's....just my opinion!
