Summer School CANCELLED!!

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by Talking Hands
We end up with a lot of middle and high school volunteers over the summer since they come with their teacher parents and do their service hours by volunteering in the classrooms.

That's an idea for you. Are your kids old enough to volunteer as counselors at the local YMCA, etc.? I remember one summer I worked as a counselor at our town's Parks & Rec day camp. It was a lot of fun and probably the best summer I had! I should have done it more often.

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by gepetto
That still has to be a huge cost savings for your school district. Are they cutting it for all students or just the ones that didn't fail a subject? I'd rather see an optional summer program cut than things during the regular school year that benefit a lot more students.

ALL summer school, except for migrant education. . Only those children who can't speak engligh will have summer school.

I do agree 110% with rather seeing this program cut then other vital programs, even those my children do not need or participate in. But even those are being cut. Both my DD's are in the GATE program and this has been cut to bare bones over the years, including doing away with the summer program that they had a few years ago, and is in fear of being done away with all together.

These poor children are being penalized because their parents don't want to cough up the cash for summer camp.

That's great, now getting an education is a bad thing?? And who said anything about children being FORCED to attend summer school. Do you know that these children do not want to attend summer school?
As for "not wanting to cough up the cash" you can't get blood from a stone. There is more to it then "not wanting to cough up the cash." Do you have an extra $3000 laying around? If so would you mind sending it to me because I don't.

 

[Disney Dee]

We have a Parks program here also, no summer school for children who are not failing. The parks offer teens a chance to be councelors for younger children, I think 5 and up. The programs are in the neighborhood parks and they offer alot of fun things for kids. They had some day trips to amusement parks etc for an added fee. On rainy days, the kids go to the local libraries, or community centers and watch movies or do inside crafts. The cost is only about 30.00 wk. for 6 hr days or you can pay more for extended hrs. I sent my son to afew yrs cause he could walk to it, and it gave him something to do while I worked at home in my daycare and only had younger children at the time. It was good for us, and not very expensive. The whole summer didn't cost me more then 300.00 amd he went on trips once a week! I didn't use it for childcare, my son didn't need it, I was home, but he loved being with kids his own age.

 

[mamajoan]

MinnieC.. and I have the same perception of Summer School the way it USED to be in CA. Also, I used it to help my eldest son and my youngest dd "stay on track" with school subjects. As they had difficulty with school but did not fail.. and ya, I work really hard to keep them up to be "B" students.

Migrant programs have taken a big hit in all programs.. but they seem to be able to keep going in the summer.

Also, summer school here usually runs from approx 8am until noon.. half days for six weeks. So using it as a day care option is not really an option..... jmho

Taxes, bonds etc are used to finance the Ca. School system. Each district runs differently.. including traditional school year and year round schools.
In our district, the schools are paid the same way for summer school as they are for traditional school year. ATTENDANCE! therefore the more kids that attend school each day the more money a school collects. Unfortunately this does not cover the complete cost of the school function. So, sometimes summer school is a loss of money.. especially when kids assigned summer school spots don't show up for the whole six weeks..most of the time because of family vacations etc.
I personally feel that anyone attending summer school should have to pay a moderate fee. Also that kids who have failed or need help with remedial skills should have front of the line privledges. It may help to "ding" people whose kids have unexcused abscences with a fee also.
Just an idea.
As for Christa.. I think this is how she has utilized the summer school system in addition to her regular care provider and to have it pulled out from under her has left her scrambling. Good luck Christa!

 

[vickyBaby]

"That's great, now getting an education is a bad thing??"
Who said that? Your children are entitled to an education during the normal school year.

"And who said anything about children being FORCED to attend summer school."
You did. You send your children because you "can't afford" to send them to camp. Whose fault is that? Surely not the taxpayers of California.

"Do you know that these children do not want to attend summer school?"
I watch the children come out of school on the last day of school singing.. "No more pencils, no more books..." I never saw a child wishing that the summer was not here.

"As for "not wanting to cough up the cash" you can't get blood from a stone. There is more to it then "not wanting to cough up the cash." Do you have an extra $3000 laying around? If so would you mind sending it to me because I don't."
Why should I give you $3K? Why should I or the taxpayers be responsible for your children? You are the parent and this is your responsibility.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by vickyBaby

Why should I give you $3K? Why should I or the taxpayers be responsible for your children? You are the parent and this is your responsibility.

True. The majority of parents have the same problem every summer. I don't see any reason for tax dollars to go towards paying for summer school for children that aren't in need of remediation.

Every child at the school where I work is counting down the days until summer vacation. I can't think of a single one that would voluntarily spend their vacation in a classroom.

 

[BrerMom]

I'm sure Christa posted her situation so she could share the frustration of her plight. She signed her daughters up for a program and thought she didn't have to worry about where they were going to go for the summer. I think all she wanted was a little sympathy at suddenly having a program canceled, not having a plan B, and not having extra childcare money in the budget.

We could debate whether summer school should exist or under what circumstances it should exist. We could talk about what constitutes a "good" summer break. We could even brainstorm more about what programs are out there. Frankly, in our area, the cheapest weekly day camp that I know of is around $100 a week per child. Want to debate how old a kid should be before they can stay home all day alone? Way too many do, way too young.

Do I want a system where kids go to school 50 weeks a year? No, they're kids; they need a break even more than adults. It may happen, though, as more and more parents are in this situation of not being able to find/afford summer care. There has already been talking of having kids at school for 10 hours a day to accomodate parent working schedules. We have a school program that is open 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. And some kids stay aaaallllll day.


Good luck, Christa. I'm glad you have several weeks to find an alternative. An idea that hasn't been floated yet is having the kids spend a week with the grandparents. It wouldn't work in our case because my parents won't take my sons , but that's another thread.

 

[fireplug]

I do not know the rules regarding public schools in CA. sorry for my lack of knowledge.
Here in my area PUBLIC shcool education is paid for the 9mo school term. PERIOD if you are failing and need remedial education then you went to summer school it was a few weeks long and concetrated on the areas you were weak in. (i had a sister who had some learning disabilities). It was not for the whole summer and it was not even all day. It was never meant as childcare.

I feel sorry for someone who is unable to afford daycare or a sitter for their children. But it is not the school districts job to watch them all summer long. If this was a perk you were lucky enough to have for a while great but if it is taken away I think you should work it out so your child does not suffer because of it. Sorry just the way I feel.

Steve

 

[sha_lyn]

the local Boys and Grils club offers a very affordable summer camp. Maybe you have one in your area that you could check. I think it was $125 registration fee and $50 a week (this was about 3 yrs ago, when a friend looked into it).

BTW the Y camps around here are very expensive. They start at $125 a week, and go up depending on the activity.

Another place to look might be a local dance studio, martial arts studio etc. They often offer summer camps too.

 

[disneychrista]

the local Boys and Grils club offers a very affordable summer camp.

The Boys and Girls Club is pretty much the only "reasonable" choice in my area but that will be about $1000 for the summer (actually they are only offering a 9 week program this year, no first week or last week). You pay the same regardless of how much (or little) your child attends.

Are your kids old enough to volunteer as counselors at the local YMCA, etc.?

Unfortunetly both my kids are too young for this.

An idea that hasn't been floated yet is having the kids spend a week with the grandparents.

I wish All the grandparents work FT. And thank you BrerMom for understanding that I posted for help / sympathy.

As for Christa.. I think this is how she has utilized the summer school system in addition to her regular care provider and to have it pulled out from under her has left her scrambling.

Yes, exactly. Obviously summer school was only part of my "summer care" for my kids. It only lasted about 1/2 of summer and was only half days. I am a single mother who is barely making ends meet as it is. But to now have this additional expense is going to make it really tough.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I went to summer school (New Jersey) the summer after 7th grade (typing), 8th grade (Earth Science) and 9th grade (Biology). This was by CHOICE, open to all, and was a VERY popular program. Going to summer school the year after 8th grade was especially WONDERFUL because it was an opportunity to meet the kids from the other elementary schools (k - 8) on a smaller basis. And taking those classes allowed the students to take one less class during the school year and get out earlier in the day, or to fit in all the classes they wanted during their 4 years in HS. Taking science in the summer was great for me too since science was not my strong subject and that way I only had one class to concentrate on. The hours were something like 8 - 12:30, Mon - Fri, for 6 weeks; every class had at least one field trip (Science went on more than one). Plenty of time after school to get together with friends, and anyway, most of my friends were also doing it. It helped ease up on overcrowding in the school during the regular school year too. I moved to Massachusetts in 10th grade, and missed that program tremendously. I've told my kids about it...they think it sounded neat, but unfortunately, it's not available to them where we live now.

BTW, my mom was, and I am, both SAHMs...neither of us were looking for "free child care".

disneychrista...I'm sorry it worked out this way for you...I hope you find a good alternative.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by disneychrista
The Boys and Girls Club is pretty much the only "reasonable" choice in my area but that will be about $1000 for the summer (actually they are only offering a 9 week program this year, no first week or last week). You pay the same regardless of how much (or little) your child attends.

Actually, that breaks down to only about $110/week for TWO children. I think that sounds very reasonable for full time care. I know people that pay more than that just for afterschool for 2 children.

 

[mum4jenn]

I do understand your pain Christa. I took a job in the school lunchroom in order for my dd and I to have the same schedule. That way I do not have to worry about coming up with that kind of money. I have the same days off as her except for 5 non-school work days. Most of those days my dh is off or I am able to take her to my Moms for the day. Even that is not what I really want to do since she is 80 and not in good health but it was what I had to do.

I realize that this would not help you since the pay really sucks!!! But the time off is why I do it.

I would check into some of the local churches to see if they have any programs going on. At least you would know they are safe!!

Good luck. I understand how hard it is to come up with extra money. Not all of us on the DIS are so wealthy that we do not have to worry about money.

 

[Cindy B]

I also work in a school setting.. as an educational assistant. Yes, the pay is fairly poor.. but the full benefits package is wonderful, and when I am off, the kids are off, etc...


As for summer schools in my area (Southern N. J. ) it was only for kids that were failing.. or behind in assessment or a classified/ESL setting.

They actually charged an arm and a leg for summer school for failing kids at some PA high schools.. and it wasn't cheap either.. over $1000! Yes, $1000! (Conestoga High School/Radnor High School)


Sad to say, I've heard of parents (I'm sure you aren't one of them) trying to manipulate the system.. so the kids can stay in the special programs. For example, my DD has half day kindergarten, but a full day option is available for remedial students... I've heard actual parent conversations.. stating... "Well, I didn't do a thing with my child/learning wise, so I can get them in full day kindergarten.. then I don't have to pay for daycare! " Can you imagine? Yes, at least two kids in the class are a product of that thinking


I would suggest a rec department.. I worked there in the summers as well, and it was fun.. and my kids got to go there for free. As for the YMCA, the one I used to work at.. gave away scholarships... you just had to ask.

 

[sha_lyn]

I've heard actual parent conversations.. stating... "Well, I didn't do a thing with my child/learning wise, so I can get them in full day kindergarten.. then I don't have to pay for daycare! " Can you imagine? Yes, at least two kids in the class are a product of that thinking

Reminds me of a "ex"neighbor. We have free Preschool here in GA because of the lottery. well it does not include transportation. If a child qualifies for Headstart (no longer a separte program, the kids are in the preschool classes) they get free transportation. HS is for high risk or LD kids. The neighbor was told her DS didn't qualify for HS, but scored low on some areas that they needed to work on at home before preschool started. They refused and flat out told the teacher (?) that they would not teach him anything, it wasn't their job to teach him it was hers. Well their son got a slot in the headstart program. Eventually they moved back to Virgina, because they claimed that there the schools there knew parents weren't teachers, and parents were not suppose to help with homework.

 

[Mskanga]

I've heard actual parent conversations.. stating... "Well, I didn't do a thing with my child/learning wise, so I can get them in full day kindergarten.. then I don't have to pay for daycare!

Boy Cindy have I heard this line before!! My DD was tested last year when registering for kindergarten for ESOL just because someone else spoke another language at home ( me ). She passed without a problem but I was asked if there was openings for her to attend the other half day for ESOL, would I let her?? I said yes because it was a good thing for her but they got more kids than they anticipated so there were no openings, that was fine with me.

I took a job in the school lunchroom in order for my dd and I to have the same schedule.

That is what I am going to do next year so I don't have to worry about vacations or snow days. Right now I work weekends and my dh works during the week but he's unable to take time off unless it's an emergency , we have no relatives that I can leave them with , so their care is all really up to me. Working in the school cafeteria may not be the best job or pay but I have to do it if I want to be with my children and not have a problem.

They actually charged an arm and a leg for summer school for failing kids at some PA high schools..

When our kids fail in our school district, the parents are responsible for paying for a tutor, no programs are offered by the school other than the ones parents pay for in the summer.

 

[Cindy B]

Olga.. you may like an ed assistant job... I like it a lot! Its the same school schedule 9:30-3... actually I drop my kids off at elementary, and drive to the middle school. The middle school lets out at 3, and my kids school lets out at 3:20... enough time to get them!

The pay does stink... you probably make more now, but I do have full health benefits.. yes, my DH had them with his job, but this was a better plan, and a better perscription plan (his had a$40 copay for his Clairnex...this one is either $12 or zero.. )

I am off when they are off.. there may be 5 tricky days in November when they are off 1/2 day.. (at 1 pm) and I am out at 3.. I just may ask some of thier playmates on those days.. but thats November.. I have some time to worry about that...

Snow days/delayed opening... its all the same!

 

[vickyBaby]

Originally posted by disneychrista
Do you have an extra $3000 laying around? If so would you mind sending it to me because I don't.

I didn't get to spend 16 days at WDW, nor do I get 5 nights at DL in the last 4 months. I know someone who did though.

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by vickyBaby
I didn't get to spend 16 days at WDW, nor do I get 5 nights at DL in the last 4 months. I know someone who did though.

On a side note anyone who keep track of other personal lives, needs to get one for themselves.

 

[vickyBaby]

Originally posted by disneychrista
On a side note anyone who keep track of other personal lives, needs to get one for themselves.

Thank you for your opinion.