OT: JK/SK revised school schedule

[wannago2disney]

They announced last night that our school board has come to an agreement to return to the A/B day schedule...(with some revisions)

Very happy about this as my DD starts JK in the fall!

Just want to thank anyone who took a stand to let the Ontario M.Edu know that parents should still have a say in how our children are educated.

Thanks!!

 

[tjbaggott]

What is an A/B schedule?

 

[wannago2disney]

A/B day schedule is for Early years students jk/sk.
A days are Monday Wednesday every other friday
B days are Tuesday Thursday every other friday.

Both the public and catholic boards in our district use this system. The ontario government was trying to impliment a 5 day schedule that was all over the place.

But we put up a BIG STINK and they finally listened to us and we got our AB days back!!

 

[WDW1st-timers]

I am so happy to hear this!!!! My baby is going to school fall/2010 and that is hard on a 4 year old going to school every day for a full day. That means that I would have to wake her up at 6:50am and get ready to get on the bus at 7:30am to start school at 8:20am and not come home until around 3:15pm.
8 hours away from home every day is way too much.

Overall i'm glad it got changed.

 

[braydensmom]

My son will be starting JK in 2010 as well, Im really not to thrilled with the whole childcare/kindgarden thing that they have thought up...thats an awful long time for kids to be at school. They will be there everyday from 8-6???

Im glad they brought back A/B days in your area, they started that when my brother was little and it seemed to work really well for everyone!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Both JK and SK are optional - if anyone feels their child is not physically/emotionally or academically ready for it they really should consider keeping them home for an extra year. They have an awful lot of years to go to school!

As for the daycare in schools and having kids go to JK/SK 5 days a week it's the parents option if they send them for daycare at the school..... many will for the 'free care' but who knows if it will actually pass.... I'm sure it will all come down to money with the gov. - most people I've spoken to (teachers and parents) have been against it so far.... haven't spoken too many that are for it in our area but who knows what will happen!! too long of a day for these little people!

 

[tigger2on]

????
From what I understand, we have the choice...... where is the info?
This is what I found:

"The Early Years Policy Framework should mandate school boards to offer:
a two-year, full-day Early Learning Program prior to Grade 1, available to all children who turn 4 by December 31. Children’s participation would be by parental choice, with parents having the option of a half, full (school hours), or a fee-based extended day of programming;

at the request of 15 or more families in a school, a fee-based Extended Day Primary program, offering developmentally enriched programming for children from 6 to 8 years old;

at the request of 15 or more families in a school, fee-based after-school programming for children from 9 to 12 years old. School boards may deliver the programming directly or enlist the support of municipal parks and recreation services or community agencies;

extended programming that operates 50 weeks a year, including fee-based activities during school breaks and summer vacations. Daily hours of operation would be determined by school boards in response to the needs of families in their communities."

My understanding for our JK meeting was the kids would go everyday and the parents would have the choice of a full-day class or a 1/2 day class. If they chose the 1/2 day class, they can take the child home or the child can attend a daycare/activity program available through the school for a fee.

 

[braydensmom]

Sorry, I realize this is optional, but breaking the days in half is going to cause more parents to take the option of the childcare because they arent able to be home for the child to go to school, and to pick them up again 3 hours later.
Plus we are Catholic, and they have always had JK, so I would feel weird keeping him out of school an extra year....he is going to Preschool this fall.

I was just expressing my opinon as a Daycare Provider that that is a long day for me to have a child, typically I have children from 8-4....10 hours at school is way to long for any child. And the teachers will be working a minimum of 55 hour weeks???

 

[tigger2on]

We are in Hamilton.. and from my understanding the school day goes from 9 - 3:30 for the kids and 8:30 - 4pm for teachers therefore kids are in school for 6.5 hr and 7.5 hrs a day. Most daycares offer 7 - 6pm care or 11 hours a day. The 4/5 yr old class there doesn't have a "nap time" but rather a time of quiet activity, but for children who require a lie down, can still do so. However none do. They might miss something! Extended care would be before and after school and be provided by an outside organization with use of the gym and a class room for activities. Depending on the area ( lower income) this organization would also provide full day care for PA days, school breaks and summer programs.