4 day school week?

[adkkev]

From the Albany, NY, Times-Union ...

Senate weighs four-day school week to cut costs

By SCOTT WALDMAN, Staff writer
Last updated: 1:50 p.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2008

ALBANY — The state Senate Education Committee is considering a four-day school week as one option in a flexible academic calendar designed to save money.

In testimony at a hearing today, led by Chairman Stephen M. Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, the statewide Council of School Superintendents and the School Boards Association were critical of any plan to reduce the five-day week. But the superintendent of the Hadley-Luzerne School District expressed his enthusiastic support for scheduling flexibility, including a shift to nine out of 10 days, rather than Monday through Friday.

"The current way of the traditional school was built many years ago, and our society has had a vast amount of change, yet we remain on an agrarian school days (schedule)," said Superintendent Earl Sussman.

The move could save districts a significant amount of money — in transportation, heating and hiring of substitute teachers — at a time when their state funding is expected to be slashed amid the nation's economic woes. There has been discussion on the issue, with some advocates saying the shorter week would be in only the coldest months.

 

[ajk912]

I would LOVE this but I can see how it would be difficult for a working parent (which would be me next year, but I guess I could just arrange a 4 day work week since I will be working part time).

 

[J3nn78]

As a teacher and a parent I would LOVE it. I think it makes a lot of sense too. If this is a way schools can cut spending without cutting teachers and programs, I say great!

 

[Keggy]

This would be really hard on families where both parents work. Hopefully some "after school" programs would come about to help those families out.

 

[C.Ann]

From the Albany, NY, Times-Union ...

Senate weighs four-day school week to cut costs

By SCOTT WALDMAN, Staff writer
Last updated: 1:50 p.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2008

ALBANY — The state Senate Education Committee is considering a four-day school week as one option in a flexible academic calendar designed to save money.

In testimony at a hearing today, led by Chairman Stephen M. Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, the statewide Council of School Superintendents and the School Boards Association were critical of any plan to reduce the five-day week. But the superintendent of the Hadley-Luzerne School District expressed his enthusiastic support for scheduling flexibility, including a shift to nine out of 10 days, rather than Monday through Friday.

"The current way of the traditional school was built many years ago, and our society has had a vast amount of change, yet we remain on an agrarian school days (schedule)," said Superintendent Earl Sussman.

The move could save districts a significant amount of money — in transportation, heating and hiring of substitute teachers — at a time when their state funding is expected to be slashed amid the nation's economic woes. There has been discussion on the issue, with some advocates saying the shorter week would be in only the coldest months.

-------------------

Where I reside 7 to 8 months out of the year is very close to the school district that was referenced in the article.. For that area (and several others nearby up there) - due to economic depression; the number of residences that are "summer" only; and number of days lost to bad weather - it might not be a bad idea.. However, I could see it causing a huge problem for parents (mostly making minimum wage or a little better) in terms of paying for childcare on the "off" days.. Also - based on the amount of in-class instruction and homework my 5th grade DGD gets down here (where I live in the winter), I don't see how they could possibly cram all of that into 4 days without the students suffering academically..

Having said that, I would not like to see that become a reality here (at my DD's where I live in the winter) and from an economic stand point, I don't really think it would be necessary..

Will be interesting to see how it all pans out..

 

[ntsammy5]

Since teachers are contracted for a certain number of days per year does that mean the school year would be extended? Would they lose money?

 

[Kae]

When my sister lived in CO they had a 4 day week they went to school longer during the day i think they did 9-4;30. and on Fridays the kids went skiing in the winter. And they went Tuesday after Labor Day to Thurs before Memerail Day. no Teacher inserve days only spring break, Christmas break & National Holidays off. Wouldn't that be sweet.

Kae

 

[Pixiedust34]

I would like to see schools consider switching to a four day week with today's economic crisis. Just think of how much gas the school buses use for one day (especially in large school systems) and the savings in gas costs alone could be significant if the buses were running one less day per week. The money saved in transportation, heating, food services, substitute teacher expenses, etc. by making the school week one day shorter would help stretch the school's budgets.

 

[Kath2003]

Not a 4-day week but I like the UK vacation system for schools, we have the same amount of time off as you but it's spread out:

1 week late October
2 weeks Xmas/New Year
1 week late February
2 weeks early April
1 week late May
6 week summer (last 2 weeks of July & all of August)

It means the students and staff never go to school for more than 8 consecutive weeks.

 

[Pigeon]

This will be a major problem for working parents. I also think there are going to be lots and lots of kiddies who are unsupervised on the day off, with all the trouble that entails.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Not a 4-day week but I like the UK vacation system for schools, we have the same amount of time off as you but it's spread out:

1 week late October
2 weeks Xmas/New Year
1 week late February
2 weeks early April
1 week late May
6 week summer (last 2 weeks of July & all of August)

It means the students and staff never go to school for more than 8 consecutive weeks.

In the US we call that a year round school. Some school districts tried to implement it, but parents and teachers hated it. Personally, I love it. It did away with review in the beginning of the year; and teachers and students got a needed break right when they were about to burn out.

 

[clgwli]

Bad idea IMO. Working parents will have loads of problems with this and keeping young kids in school that late becomes too much when you add in extra activities. Does NY require days in school or hours? If it is days this doesn't help at all.

 

[yoopermom]

DS's district did this the past three years (just switched back this year, thank GOD!).Here were the supposed advantages:
1. Save on busing (probably the only one that was totally true, 1/5 less gas, but kids riding to and fro in the dark most of the year due to the extended hours)
2. Save on utilities (not really, you're not going to turn the heat off, maybe just down, and some lights will still be on, too, due to building still being used for other things)
3. Save on salaries (no, teachers still paid same, since longer days made up for lost day, and secretaries/admin still worked on the day off, why, I don't know )
4. Longer class hours (maybe good for classes with labs, but a horror for most, esp. the youngest students who were restless by late afternoon)

And the worst part was that supposedly homework was going to be saved up for the weekend, so kids wouldn't have to do lots late at night during the week, but teachers soon found that kids wouldn't do it/lost it/ whatever over the three day weekend, so all homework ended up being crammed in during the week. School not done until after four, then after school activities, then homework, then bus picks you up even earlier than before the next a.m., oh, boy!

And, yes, I worried extensively about all the kids left home alone or with inadequate daycare due to parents working. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Yes, we need to save $$$, but this is NOT the way to do it. Let's think outside the box, but not CRUSH the box.
Terri

 

[All American]

DS's district did this the past three years (just switched back this year, thank GOD!).Here were the supposed advantages:
1. Save on busing (probably the only one that was totally true, 1/5 less gas, but kids riding to and fro in the dark most of the year due to the extended hours)
2. Save on utilities (not really, you're not going to turn the heat off, maybe just down, and some lights will still be on, too, due to building still being used for other things)
3. Save on salaries (no, teachers still paid same, since longer days made up for lost day, and secretaries/admin still worked on the day off, why, I don't know )
4. Longer class hours (maybe good for classes with labs, but a horror for most, esp. the youngest students who were restless by late afternoon)

And the worst part was that supposedly homework was going to be saved up for the weekend, so kids wouldn't have to do lots late at night during the week, but teachers soon found that kids wouldn't do it/lost it/ whatever over the three day weekend, so all homework ended up being crammed in during the week. School not done until after four, then after school activities, then homework, then bus picks you up even earlier than before the next a.m., oh, boy!

And, yes, I worried extensively about all the kids left home alone or with inadequate daycare due to parents working. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Yes, we need to save $$$, but this is NOT the way to do it. Let's think outside the box, but not CRUSH the box.
Terri

I think it's a terrible idea, and I really believe that in a lot of school systems the money is there but has been managed very poorly. In our district our property taxes were raised AGAIN because the schools "need more money". And guess what, a year's gone by and they are talking about needing more money. Where does it end?

My mom was on the school board where I grew up, and one of her ideas was to put a moratorium on housing or if a developer did want to create a huge subdivision/apartment complex, fine, but they foot the bill for the building of the school. Just thinking outside of the box.

 

[MM27]

Not a 4-day week but I like the UK vacation system for schools, we have the same amount of time off as you but it's spread out:

1 week late October
2 weeks Xmas/New Year
1 week late February
2 weeks early April
1 week late May
6 week summer (last 2 weeks of July & all of August)

It means the students and staff never go to school for more than 8 consecutive weeks.

That's a nice schedule, but I know for my school it would actually cost more money because there would be a need for air conditioning. I teach in a very old building on the 3rd floor and it gets unbearable in late May, early June. I couldn't imagine what it would be like in July.