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Schools in New Mexico, Minnesota, and Kentucky have already switched to a 4 day week. Marshall County (that is Boaz and Albertville) is considering it here in Alabama.

I think it would be great for kids to go to school from 8:00am til 5:00pm. But... what about that 5th day - where are the kids supposed to go then? Now before anyone says "school is not a babysitter for your child" or something along those lines, let me assure you that I know exactly what role the government's schools play in my child's life. I do not rely on the school to babysit my kid. I do however rely on the school to have a set schedule. The fact is that there are lots of single parents that don't have family nearby to watch their kids and daycare only takes kids up to age 12. There is a big difference between having a 13 (or 14, 15, 16) year old at home alone from 3:45 pm to 5:15 pm on Monday through Friday and having the same kid at home alone for a full day. All employers are not going to be flexible enough to work with these types of schedules.

What are your thoughts? Do you favor the 4 day school week? What types of arrangements would/could you make for your kids?
It's the end of the world as we know it. It's the end of the world as we know it. It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.
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When I was in the 2nd grade, my mom started work. After school I walked home, about a mile (yep- up-hill) and played around the house with my dog for the hour and a half until she got home. Sometimes I would go visit some of my friends until she got off. In the summer, I sorta took care of myself. (no TV back then), so yes, by my personal experience, kids are able to take care of themselves at young ages.
Probably due to that experience, I became very independent which has proven to be both a good thing and at times a bad thing.
hey I was alot like excelman, I was home at age 12 AND to see after my younger sister(11) for 2 hours every afternoon. my older sisters and brother all had after school jobs. I had strict rules and chores to have done by the time my mom got home,. I KNEW better than do anything I was not supposed to do,my butt would get a stripping!
Kids actually should be safer these days,with cell phones for immediate contact in case of emergency,neighbors live closer.
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With the high cost of gas school systems are having to adjust. What if they stopped school buses. Would parents complain still?


flotown79, I wont complain as in the city of Tuscumbia there is no school buses that run. We the parents have to drive our children to and from school with lots of traffic. Going to 4 days a week would be a blessing for us in our town, as I would only have to fight that school traffic on 4 days instead of 5.

My youngest is 13 and he stays home by himself all the time. He knows the rules of what he can and can not do. He has stayed by himself all day for me to work full time this summer. Age is not a factor as to when a child can be left alone, I base mine on when he became reliable to take care of himself alone..
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Originally posted by excelman:
When I was in the 2nd grade, my mom started work. After school I walked home, about a mile (yep- up-hill) and played around the house with my dog for the hour and a half until she got home. Sometimes I would go visit some of my friends until she got off. In the summer, I sorta took care of myself. (no TV back then), so yes, by my personal experience, kids are able to take care of themselves at young ages.
Probably due to that experience, I became very independent which has proven to be both a good thing and at times a bad thing.

BUT, these days you gotta worry about the dope heads and crazies killing our kids. Back when I grew up, in the summer, we went out in the morning, had to be home around suppertime. Today, I will NOT let my 7yr old out of my site in the front yard, and we live in a lot better place than where I grew up in. Heck, you might be in your house watching TV and someone invades your home. 20 years ago, things were alot different. Wish it was still that way. Frowner
How about the fifth day at various churches with volunteer supervision, both men and women,and perish the thought perhaps the preacher? Where does your pledge money go? Perhaps some unchurched children woud benefit spiritually as well. Too many empty churches just sitting there waiting for Sunday morning and Wednesday night.
From a teaching standpoint I think it would be very difficult, even with the additional time each day. From a personal standpoint I would love having the fifth day for planning time and no students, but then it would probably be exactly like the weekend is now with my own children having this, that, and the other that has to be done. From the standpoint of a parent, nightmare if you work.

No, the school is not a babysitter, but it is something that we have come to rely on. I'm feeling that hard this year. I start teaching a full 13 days before my children start school. When school starts, I have to be at work by 7:40, but my children will not start school until 8:30 and 8:45. They can not get to school before 8:20. Child care is our only option and it will be mega expensive. Now, if my school had a four day week I would save a good bit in gas.

It will work for some and be a problem for others. Can't please everyone. Might be good to see the expansion of youth programs that would likely result from a new schedule.
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Originally posted by 1GIRLand1BOY:
quote:
With the high cost of gas school systems are having to adjust. What if they stopped school buses. Would parents complain still?


flotown79, I wont complain as in the city of Tuscumbia there is no school buses that run. We the parents have to drive our children to and from school with lots of traffic. Going to 4 days a week would be a blessing for us in our town, as I would only have to fight that school traffic on 4 days instead of 5.

My youngest is 13 and he stays home by himself all the time. He knows the rules of what he can and can not do. He has stayed by himself all day for me to work full time this summer. Age is not a factor as to when a child can be left alone, I base mine on when he became reliable to take care of himself alone..
But they are not just to pick up students. What about football, baseball, and basketball games the teams goes on. Not to mention the extra games of the playoffs. The band has to go also. This also includes the band competitions. There is not alot of traffic in Tuscumbia. Believe me.
Ok what if the schools cut out all extra activites. People would complain about that. The truth is no one wants to sacrifice. Something has to be done. Either make the school week 4 days or cut things from the budget like sports and band. If it is not classroom related then do it on your own dime. But noone wants to do that because Lil Jonny wants to play football eventhough Jonny can barely read. The responsiblity of the school is to EDUCATE FIRST!!!
Last edited by flotown79
STOI, seems like you have the resonse to everything. Too bad you spent your time at 16 doing what you were doing,I did not and many others did not either.
A 16 yr old had better have more maturity than to be driven completely by their hormones,ESPECIALLY in the world we have today.
But what you are saying is that you plan on driving herd on your children until,,what 18,20,21, what age to you think is going to be suitable? better remember 16 yr olds drive and simply because they call paents on the cell, does NOT mean they are where they say they are.....
I agree with flotown,schools FIRST and foremost responsibility is EDUCATE,not babysit,not provide entertainment activities,not sports,but a solid decent education.
STOI you have missed the whole point. Since it seem as nothing can please you, why don't you donate your salary to help keep the school open. Instead of depending on the school for excercise, why don't parents make their kids get off the butts and do some yard and house work. It is summer time and I am sure grass can be cut, hedges trimmed. Hell make 'em take a walk. Go cut an senior citizens yard. There are many things for children to do. If you grew up with me you would have been doing these things and many more. So how can the school system please you in your little perfect world?
Are you guys really as dumb as the stuff that you type on here? Do you read it before you hit POST NOW?

Anyone who thinks that their little 13 - 18 year old isn't experimenting in sex, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, bad language, music, etc is floating down that river in Egypt - DENIAL. Have you seen that show THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER on ABC Family? The GOOD kids do stupid stuff, too.

Kids have been going to school Monday through Friday from around 8 in the morning til somewhere around 3 in the afternoon for a while now. Moms and Dads make their schedules around that. School offer sports like football, baseball, cheerleading, and band and parents use these activities so their kids can get exercise, socialize, and you know - BE KIDS.

Flowtown79 are you kidding me? You really think kids are better of mowing the grass then playing ball?

Smurph, lets make the kids dread going to school. No sports, no extra stuff, just sit in your seat and shut up and learn your reading, writing, and arithmetic. The drop out rate is bad now, I wonder what it'd be in your awesome school?

I know the schools gotta do what they gotta do to make ends meet and educate our kids. Times are hard and money is tight. But why do the kids always get the leftovers? Education should get their funding FIRST in Alabama, not last.
Flowtown, I agree with you on the topic of the importance put on sports vs. academics . Our country and especially our area, is consumed with adoration for sports and those who play. If left to it's logical conclusion, we will have the best athletics in the entire world, and can't make a pair of socks to put on our feet.
You're right, but "it is what it is" and sports, especially football is not really a sport around here but a religion . You may as well advocate the Baptist and COC quit having Sunday service to save gasoline.
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You really think kids are better of mowing the grass then playing ball?

tweetbird making a comment like that and you have the nerve to say something about other folks posting dumb stuff.
but to answer your highly intellectual question, they most certainly might just be better off mowing grass. If they are mowing their own yards they are learning to be contributing members to the family . If they are doing it for an elderly neighbor they are learning to be giving and compassionate. If they are doing it to earn money they are learning a good lesson in earning for ones work. It really does not take a rocket scientist to figure those simple lessons from some honest physical work,,, but not nearly as glorifying as mom and dad getting to brag on the sidelines of the ballfield so I suppose that is all that matters.
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School offer sports like football, baseball, cheerleading, and band and parents use these activities so their kids can get exercise, socialize, and you know - BE KIDS.

psssst, little fact here,kids have been being kids way long, in fact MANY years before schools offered all the above mentioned extracircular activities!
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Originally posted by smurph:
quote:
You really think kids are better of mowing the grass then playing ball?

tweetbird making a comment like that and you have the nerve to say something about other folks posting dumb stuff.
but to answer your highly intellectual question, they most certainly might just be better off mowing grass. If they are mowing their own yards they are learning to be contributing members to the family . If they are doing it for an elderly neighbor they are learning to be giving and compassionate. If they are doing it to earn money they are learning a good lesson in earning for ones work. It really does not take a rocket scientist to figure those simple lessons from some honest physical work,,, but not nearly as glorifying as mom and dad getting to brag on the sidelines of the ballfield so I suppose that is all that matters.
Thankyou. I thought I was going to have to break it down further but you did a great job.
I was not picking on you.

However there are many parents that only care about Jonny playing ball and could care less if Jonny reads at the 6th grade level as a senior. Do you know the story of Bo Jackson. All the way to the pro's but could barely read. Along the way someone should have steped in and said this is not right. But the all mighty dollar..... You know the rest.
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Why are you all so narrow minded to think kids (people) can only be in this little box????? My son is helping my dad seal the porch tomorrow. He mows and has been since he was 4 yrs old. He loves to help on the heavy equip when we dig out the creek, push the wheel barrow. He is not just an athelete, he is smart and a fun person to be around. Same for my daughter. I agree with teaching kids lessons about helping. They help my grandmother pull clothes from the line, clear the table and shuck corn. Stop labeling, its very narrow minded.

as I recall i was adressing tweetbird,or is that your "other" posting name? I have not labled anybody. It was tweetbird who labled the rest of us for seeing the importance of education over sports. Maybe you should go back a page and read

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