There’s been a lot of talk in my state about extending the hours that children are at school. I usually try to stay far away from these debates, but this one has me all in a tizzy, and I just can’t keep quiet about it.
I understand the argument for having children at school 8-5. I mean most parents work right? So their children are in day cares, after school care programs, or at home alone. SO wouldn’t it be better if they were at school learning during that time? I guess it would help out families with lower income, because it would be free child care. I guess it would also help with a parents sanity too, because they would have more time to do what they want, and won’t have to worry about the kid right? (we all know that’s something that a large number of parents are excited about when they send their kids to public school.) Teachers are always saying they just don’t have enough time each day to get all of the school work done, so this will give them extra time. I guess you could argue that it would get kids off the street, and give them something productive to do. I get it, I really do. (not!)
I already think that our children are being pulled away from the family, and being raised by other adults, and other children. I mean they are at school from 8-3, if they ride the bus they don’t get home sometimes until 4:00. Then they have mounds of homework (due to not having enough time at school or something), then they have sports, scouts, church groups like missionetts, friends, parties, video games, TV, computer, Facebook, etc.Now we want to add more hours at school?
Here’s a simple outline of what a typical day would be like;
6:30am- Wake up and get dressed and ready for school
7:00am- Eat breakfast (something quick because we don’t want to be late for school)
7:30am- Get on the bus, or head to school
8:00am- School starts
5:00pm- School ends
5:30pm-Homework (I doubt they will have time to finish at school), or ball practice, Scouts, etc.
6:30pm-Dinner (maybe with the family)
7:00pm- Shower and get ready for bed
7:30pm- Video games, TV, Facebook, Telephone. If they are lucky this will be family time.
8:00pm- Wrap things up
8:30pm- Lights out.
So my complaint is that this type of schedule leaves no time for family. How are we supposed to raise our kids on this type of schedule? The truly sad part about it is that this is a typical day for many children already. But at least if the child is in day care or after school care, they get to play and/or do crafts. I wonder how much free time or play time these kids will be offered at school? Did you know that is a child misbehaves, or can’t get their school work done (yes even is they have a disability) it is common practice to take away their playground time or free time? What about the child with a disability? They will be totally left behind. And many families have no other options. I know that neither of my oldest 2 children would survive a school day like that. And, talk about burnt out teachers!
I have always been a believer in homeschooling, and we are making some tuff school choices this year, but I know that my children will be at home with the family for sure if they do extended school days. What truly breaks my heart is that there are so many families with no other options. It’s also sad to me that family is such a sinking ship in America.
Anyway’s my rant could go on forever, but I will end it here. What are your thoughts on extended school days?
5 comments:
my only comment would be: Homeschool. our entire school day is done in less than 3 hours (unless we have a field trip or a project). the rest of the day is spent living what we learn. you have made great points about family time. it is too precious to give away to the school.
The government in my province has just mandated full day kindergarten... One of the many reasons we are homeschoolers... no 5 year old should be away from their family for so long during the day. As for longer school days... wow! I would for sure be in disagreement. I mean think of the child who struggles socially. School can be a nightmare and to make the time in hell that much longer for the poor kid. Sounds like a mental health crisis waiting to happen. Parents we need to take our family time into our hands. The world certainly is not going to offer us a solution. We need to become jealous of our time with our children.
I totally understand that. I had plans of homeschooling my oldest (he just turned 6) since he was two. I ended up having a baby and when it was time for him to start Kindergarten I knew I just couldn't. The baby was a real handful.
So my son is now finishing up his year in Kindergarten (full day - they don't have half day where I am). What you don't have listed there is how exhausted the kids are from school...when kids are tired they are CRANKY. Forget asking them to do anything without a fight.
I'm glad to say that I will be homeschooling him this coming year and beyond.
I'm tired of the "system" stealing from us...whether it's money, our time, and most definitely our family.
If there is anyone on here that wants to homeschool but can't due to money or fear...see if K12 is in your area. It's online public school that you do at home. It's free in some areas and you aren't your child's teacher...you're there more for making sure he/she does his work...a teacher is assigned to you. www.k12.com is the website. That's what I will be doing for first grade so far.
I completely agree with you! I have not had children yet but would be extremely upset if this schedule were to be put in place. Not to mention teachers and students would be mentally and physically exhausted by 5.
I am not nearly as passionate about this situation it seems, but I do have a couple comments:
First, most kids don't go to bed at 8:30. Don't get me wrong, ours do, but most don't. So there is alot more family time opportunities if kids go to bed at 10, like I think most of them do.
Second, our school district is 8 to 4:30 because of all the snows days, they just have to make up the time and still have a summer in there. I agree, it's a long day.
Lastly, when I was a teacher, kids were held in for recess if they misbehaved in class--afterall, they already had their playtime in class, when they weren't working. I never saw a kid get held in for not finishing work, unless they were misbehaving and that's why it wasn't finished. And I never ever saw a child with a disability held in for not finishing work. In fact, I felt our teachers had really given up on kids with disabilities, expecting nothing from them, and they in turn produced nothing. I always felt if more time were given to them, they could bloom. That's another issue altogether though.
BTW, we homeschool. :)
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