Changes in School for 10-11 Is this happening anywhere else?

[cherokeemamma]

Our school board is making some big changes in scheduling for our upcoming school year. We are a small county on the outskirts of Metro Atlanta. School typically starts late July or very early Aug. Our schedule, as of now,includes a fall break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, Feb (winter break) and then a Spring break. There are a few teacher work days scattered in the schedule also. School is out by late May...before Memorial day.

Due to huge budget issues they are discussing shortening the year from 180 to 160 days with the kids going approx. 30-35 minutes longer each day(to make up that time). There was also some talk of them having the kids go for a 4-day week. I think that is the less likely solution.

Shortening the year from 160 - 180 days will save a huge amount of money. Think of the savings in running the buses alone.

I am curious if this has happened in your school district and how it is working out. Nothing is set in stone here yet. We should know the plan by mid April.

Thanks!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

It is not happening here yet, but I have heard of it. I think I would like it if the kids went for a few minutes longer everyday to be out longer in the summer. I would even like a 4 day week, but I know it would be hard on parents who both work because of child care for those days. I am all for saving money, just as long as the kids still get the instruction time that they need.

 

[jodim]

I would prefer the 4 day week as opposed to longer summer break. It would be easier on me for childcare expenses.

I also think the longer summer break will be less effective in the long run because then they have to do more review when the kids get back to school.

I personally wish they would go to a all year school with 2 week breaks every few months. That way the kids get the same amount of time off, it's just spread out.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

A longer summer break would not be good. I would love to spend the time with my kids, but kids forget so much over the summer. If they need to shorten the days the 4 day per week option would be better for the kids. We have a school near here that does that.

 

[patchchild]

Huge changes are on the way all over the country. Lots more regionalized schools to save money. My town has talked about shorter days, shorter weeks, year round schedules... If they can imagine it, they've talked about it.

 

[EKW]

One district on the front range has chosen to go to 4 day weeks. Most are increasing class sizes. I know of 4 districts that are cutting teachers...for a total of about 250 teachers. Most districts are increasing fees for everything. (If you want your kid to play sports, you'd better have deep pockets!)

The economy has caught up with education. Personally, I'm unemployed starting in June...after 25 years of teaching!

 

[NotUrsula]

The Wall Street Journal had a big story about this topic in the Saturday issue, March 20. (If you don't subscribe, you would probably be able to reach it by logging in via your public library account; most public libraries subscribe to the WSJ.)

Here's an excerpt:

...
Some U.S. schools have figured this out. Those that boast extraordinary success with poor and minority youngsters typically surround them, like Mesopotamians, with learning from dawn to dusk. The celebrated Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), a network of over 80 charter schools around the country, subjects its middle-schoolers to 60% more instructional time than the typical public school—including eight- to 10-hour days, Saturday morning classes and abbreviated summer breaks.

"Summer learning loss" is no joke. When they return to school in late August or early September, many children, especially the least advantaged among them, have shed a sizable portion of what they had learned by May—a full month's worth, by most estimates, adding up to 1.3 school years by the end of high school.

The typical young American, upon turning 18, will have spent just 9% of his or her hours on this planet under the school roof (and that assumes full-day kindergarten and perfect attendance) versus 91% spent elsewhere. As for the rest of that time, the Kaiser Family Foundation recently reported that American youngsters now devote an astounding 7.5 hours per day to "using entertainment media" (including TV, Internet, cellphones and videogames). That translates to about 53 hours a week—versus 30 hours in school.

- The Case for Saturday School, WSJ, 3/20/2010, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...3852829574.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_5

As you can probably tell; they are opposed to the 4-day week.

 

[2Kds2K9]

One problem with a longer school day, is that it conflicts with after school activities and sports. We were out of school for over a week due to snow in February. It was suggested that the school day be lengthened by 30 minutes each day rather than extend the school year. The issue was that there are already elementary kids who don't get home until 4:45pm as it is, so extending it would be a hassle.

Personally, I'd rather have a longer day and less days at school. But unless I run for school board that's not happening!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

No, our state mandates 180 days, so the state law would have to change first.

 

[jt'smom]

i live in walton county, and they are in the process of deciding between compressed school year and 4 day week. we got notified on the district website a few weeks ago. i guess all the counties around atlanta are going through this, which is no surprise with the declining tax base!!!

 

[lastminutemom]

GA state law was changed last year from days to total hours and is in the process of being changed (required hours/days reduced) again.

We really do get what we pay for in terms of schools here.

 

[cherokeemamma]

i live in walton county, and they are in the process of deciding between compressed school year and 4 day week. we got notified on the district website a few weeks ago. i guess all the counties around atlanta are going through this, which is no surprise with the declining tax base!!!

We also live in Walton. (insert It's a Small World theme music here). We live in Loganville...my kids attend Sharon & Loganville High. So what are your thoughts in regard to this? Will you attend the school board meeting next month? I am fearful that the next thing to go will be the arts, music and all the extras. I am also concerned that class sizes will increase. I really feel for all the teachers/school workers whose jobs are on the line. My kids are currently in the 5th and 10th grades. I really have mixed feeling with it all. It just seems that everything we have known to be true for so long isn't anymore. But, I am hoping that this will be a great thing....

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

We haven't had to change our schedule (can't by state law, it's 180, no wiggle room), but thanks to our esteemed governor capping property taxes at 1%, no one has any money to run the schools. My school system has had to cut $3.7 million from our budget by like June, and it's been crazy. We are not hiring anyone new unless the need is dire. Everyone has to fill in where they can. We are trying to schedule our kids for next year and there are too many what-ifs as they can't even guarantee that some of the classes will still be available. We continue to tighten our belt the best we can. We are a school where 52% of our kids are on the free/reduced textbook and meal plan. It's going to be tough, but we're doing what we can to keep afloat.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Our district is proposing decreasing paid staff days by 5 (a combination of instructional days and teacher work days). The employee unions are still negotiating with the district so this isn't finalized yet. They will be increasing 3rd grade class size from 20 to 25 to eliminate teachers. There are several other proposed changes that the school board will be voting on this month. I work for our district and once of my son's attends school there so I'm anxious to see what the changes are.

 

[jt'smom]

We also live in Walton. (insert It's a Small World theme music here). We live in Loganville...my kids attend Sharon & Loganville High. So what are your thoughts in regard to this? Will you attend the school board meeting next month? I am fearful that the next thing to go will be the arts, music and all the extras. I am also concerned that class sizes will increase. I really feel for all the teachers/school workers whose jobs are on the line. My kids are currently in the 5th and 10th grades. I really have mixed feeling with it all. It just seems that everything we have known to be true for so long isn't anymore. But, I am hoping that this will be a great thing....

wow, i live in loganville too! not far from sharon elementary! jeez, we are probably neighbors my son goes to loganville middle, 7th grade. i competely agree about the class size thing, this year he has 29 kids in his math class. i do plan to attend the school board meeting because i'm not sure how much parental response they are getting on this.

 

[mater26]

I teach in Murray County and we are on the longer day, extra month off schedule now. I love it! We get all of August off and we go about an hour longer each day. Most of the kids were already sitting in the gym way before 7:30 anyway, so now they just go to class and we start school. School still gets out at 3:10 for the students and the teachers stay until 4:15. I was usually there that late anyway, but now I get an extra month off for it! It also makes a nice time to schedule end of summer vacations because rates typically go down in August. I know there are negatives, but we saved almost half a million dollars doing the new schedule and my collegues and I love it. The students have adjusted well also. They get to eat breakfast in 1st period and they enjoy the extra time off too.

 

[jodim]

I teach in Murray County and we are on the longer day, extra month off schedule now. I love it! We get all of August off and we go about an hour longer each day. Most of the kids were already sitting in the gym way before 7:30 anyway, so now they just go to class and we start school. School still gets out at 3:10 for the students and the teachers stay until 4:15. I was usually there that late anyway, but now I get an extra month off for it! It also makes a nice time to schedule end of summer vacations because rates typically go down in August. I know there are negatives, but we saved almost half a million dollars doing the new schedule and my collegues and I love it. The students have adjusted well also. They get to eat breakfast in 1st period and they enjoy the extra time off too.

What time does school start for you/students?

 

[DisneySJB]

I live in Ohio where our method for funding schools (property taxes) has been ruled unconstitutional. It is a mess here. My DD's school is falling apart and our community won't pass a levy to raise property taxes. Which I understand, b/c of the bad economy. We've been hit hard, and like a previous post, 45% of the students are considered "under privileged" and get subsidized lunches, etc. But, at the same time, our school is in dire need. Something needs to change.

I would love it if DD went to school longer in exchange for a 4 day week. She already has to attend before and after school care, so she is there anyway....as are a lot of kids. These kind of "cut backs" might be what we need to do to get a much needed new school built.

 

[AngB21]

Wow I wish my school system would do this instead of what they are planning. My city is going to cut 8th grade out of their current schools and integrate those kids into the high school. The parents are flipping out at the fact that there will be 12 year olds in school with 18 year olds.