Frugal Families

Okay - so down here in Florida, our district is struggling thanks to the economy and a few other seedy things that our state government has done.  As a result, there is the possiblity that a bill will be passed allowing districts to go to 4 day school weeks, thus shutting down schools for 3 day weekends and conserving power (which would be a big savings).  As it is, there are all sorts of other budget cuts, but this possible new schedule is beginning to flash in neon lights.  The kids are in school about 6 hours a day - if the 4 day schedule goes through - they would be in school an additional 1 hour and 15 minutes.  

It gets better - add to that, the district might be implementing a 3 tier school bus system; i.e., busses would pick up elementary 1st, drop them off, then middle school and drop them off, then finally high school (at which point HSer's would be starting school about 10:00 in the morning - they start about 9:30 or so now and get out at 3:35 in the afternoon).   So, tack on the extra time of this new schedule, HS's would get out at about 4:45 in the afternoon, then some have about an hour's ride on the bus, getting them home approx 5:45 to 6:00 pm. 

(Side note - DS is in elementary at starts school at 7:45 am and school ends at 2:05; so the new schedule would be getting out at approx 3:20-3:30 in the afternoon).

Oh yeah - add homework to the mix and if there just happens to be any sports programs next year (oh yeah - and that's another problem to - coaches and volunteers are getting their supplement pay that they get for coaching cut in half if not dropped all together), then add practice for sports to the time frame and these kids are getting home till 8:00 or so at night and that's if they don't work part-time jobs (at least for HS's).

So - I open the floor.....what's your opinion on this? 

4 day school weeks are the norm in parts of rural New Mexico. I don't know when they started doing that, but the school district DH attended as a child had four day weeks so the concept isn't new to us.

As a family, we've lived in school districts that had four day weeks, however, by that time we were homeschooling so it didn't affect our family from the perspective of having children in school. The district we're in now, had 4 days weeks last year, but, went to five day weeks this year.

Personally? I like four day school weeks. Every weekend is a three day weekend :D What's not to like? However, I haven't worked outside the home in years, and we are homeschoolers, so I haven't had to deal with before and after school care/childcare/daycare.

Actually from a learning point it makes sense for older children.  I think it is awful for younger ones unless you keep the days the same length as now.  I would also vote for having Wednesday off.

Thoughts for younger children.  It would make the day to long and they would just be baby sat for the extra time going.  I have never met a kindergarten teacher who said after 12:00 any teaching gets done.  They have all told me if it not done by noon it does not get done.

Thoughts on the older children.  More can actually get done in a longer time period.  It gives teachers time to answer questions, move on to a new subject and the kids practice some to make sure they understand the concept with the teacher there without the bell interupting.  I do think there should be no homework on these long days that could not be finished in class.  It the kids mess around then they have to do it at home.  Also having Wednesday off would give time for reading/homework so it is not all over the weekend.  In college most courses are longer on M/W/F or T/T.  The time off between allows for the homework reading.

My first thought was time to start thinking about homeschooling as we do homeschool.  But I do know it is not for everyone.

Just wanted to note that according to research, younger kids do better in the morning, learning things, etc. High school age, their brains don't wake up until later.

~Erin