Yesterday while I was standing outside waiting for my kids to come out of school, the principle came out and we had a little chat. He wanted to know my opinion on a 4 day week for school. Nevada, as many states are going through some major budget cuts and they are trying to figure out the best way to deal with these cuts. He explained to me that by switching to a 4 day school week, that they would be able to save 2 teachers spots with the money that they would save on transportation and electricity and such.
I'm not really sure how I feel about it. For one thing, a 4 day week would add 75 minutes to each school day. I know that for Zachary, he is already tired by the end of a school day, and adding an extra hour at the end of the day, might not be the best thing for him. Not only that, but it seems like we are already cramming a lot in after school between homework and sports and dinner and getting ready for bed.
The principle also told me that they would be teaming up with the Magic Carpet Day Care for parents that work Monday through Friday. parents would still be able to drop their kids off at school on Fridays, but it would be day care, not school. It seems like such a waste for the kids that will have to do that. I know that this aspect really isn't the schools problem, but I'm not convinced that it's a good idea. The reality is that Parents do have to work Monday through Friday and now on Fridays they won't be learning or spending time with their families. Like I said. What a waste.
I guess, now that I am really sitting down to think about it, I don't like the idea at all! However, the alternative is that people loose jobs, and class sizes get bigger. Maybe there just isn't a good solution.
Friday, February 20, 2009
4 day school week
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3 comments:
paritWe discuss this issue ad naseum at my school as you can imagine. Four day school weeks, larger class sizes as teachers are let go, and who knows what else. I've stopped listening, because no matter what, I have to keep teaching and providing for the needs of my students. And what is the most frustrating of all is THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN ARE NOT CONSIDERED IN ANY DECISION. Dollars are the deciding factor. Woe to us.
they've started having the same discussion here in Washington. on the one hand, I kind of like the idea of having an extra day with the kids home with the family. On the other, school days would become awfully long, especially for the younger kids. And I'm not sure what it does for sports or music, where you need regular practice to stay on top of things. In the end, I don't think it's going to fly up here, so I'm not spending too much time thinking about it.
It's a serious possiblility in Ely. They are already doing it in Lund, which is part of the same school district. Class size isn't that much of a factor here because the classes are pretty small to bgin with. It's really the long hours that I don't like.
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