Obama Proposes Longer School Days, Extended School Year - Page 4

**Maria** · 05-05-2009, 01:54 PM

I opposed with President Obama's idea about adding school days.

Adamsmomma · 05-05-2009, 02:26 PM

When my brother transferred from the 'traditional public school' at the start of his 9th grade year into a 'university school' (run by the Local University) they went to a year round program... this was WONDERFUL. (I was still living in the area at the time so I got to see first hand how well it worked)

As for the family vacation-- we were able to do more b/c he was out of school in the 'off season' and it was less expensive and less crowded to travel-- plus at our employers it was easier to take time off b/c we weren't fighting over the summer weeks vacations...

Then the academic side... w/my brothers CAPD and HoH issues he had a hard enough time in school~~ three months out of school always gave him hell... he had to 'relearn' everything (except math) so being out a month in the summer and 3 weeks at a time at various times of the year made it easier for him to retain. He could work 'full time' for his breaks and earn extra money-- and he got better schedules b/c his peers were in school still...

It also meant for the kids who were younger-- that their parents didn't have to find 'suitable' childcare for the whole summer~ instead were able to break that bill up throughout the year. And gave the kids less time to be idle... which helped with dicipline issues for some as well... what's the quote about idle hands??

AND my friends who taught at the US/UH LOVED their mid season breaks from the kids... (and the lower rates when they too travelled!!!) So it was great for everyone!!!

I know I whined when they mentioned possibly doing year round in the 1990's and I was in HS... but honestly it would've been better~~ I HATED review at the end of summer.

However I agree that textbooks, technology and teachers need to be up to date, AND properly compensated... otherwise-- more school, less school, longer hours, shorter days... whatever~~ isn't going to help our education system...

And it's just my opinion but parental involvment is vital... my mom was always there to help us-- if we accepted it or not was different lol-- and my parents were intouch w/our teachers. (and as the much older big sister, I even had relationships w/some of my brothers teachers so I could go to them and talk to them if he needed help..) but so many parents aren't involved-- and that is a HUGE problem on many levels...

Byrdie714 · 05-05-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

3 month of summer vacation has been part of our traditional and has been for many years since 19th century, it's part of American culture for education system.

In Germany, 220 days in school is too much to me.

It may have been the tradition however you are forgetting one thing: agriculture.

The reasoning for the Spring break/Summer break/ and Fall break was base on the planting/growing and harvest seasons of the farmers as in the 19th century--America was pretty much dependent on agriculture for economics. The farmers needed their children to assist with the planting, maintenance of the crops as well as harvesting of the food that was being grown.

Now that we are in the 21st century--how many people are still farming? Not as much as it was in the 19th century and the education system needs to keep up with the societal changes.

To say that it base on tradition--may be true however it's time for certain traditions to go "bye-bye" and this being one of them.....

Adamsmomma · 05-05-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

It may have been the tradition however you are forgetting one thing: agriculture.

The reasoning for the Spring break/Summer break/ and Fall break was base on the planting/growing and harvest seasons of the farmers as in the 19th century--America was pretty much dependent on agriculture for economics. The farmers needed their children to assist with the planting, maintenance of the crops as well as harvesting of the food that was being grown.

Now that we are in the 21st century--how many people are still farming? Not as much as it was in the 19th century and the education system needs to keep up with the societal changes.

To say that it base on tradition--may be true however it's time for certain traditions to go "bye-bye" and this being one of them.....

GREAT point!!!!

**KarissaMann05** · 05-05-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

It may have been the tradition however you are forgetting one thing: agriculture.

The reasoning for the Spring break/Summer break/ and Fall break was base on the planting/growing and harvest seasons of the farmers as in the 19th century--America was pretty much dependent on agriculture for economics. The farmers needed their children to assist with the planting, maintenance of the crops as well as harvesting of the food that was being grown.

Now that we are in the 21st century--how many people are still farming? Not as much as it was in the 19th century and the education system needs to keep up with the societal changes.

To say that it base on tradition--may be true however it's time for certain traditions to go "bye-bye" and this being one of them.....

Well, the 21st century is pretty changed a lot. I think it's time for certain traditions, conservative/religious values, traditional cultures, and other certain things to go "bye bye", too.

Of course, they are pretty bad taste for everyone.

Byrdie714 · 05-05-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarissaMann05

Well, the 21st century is pretty changed a lot. I think it's time for certain traditions, conservative/religious values, traditional cultures, and other certain things to go "bye bye", too.

Of course, they are pretty bad taste for everyone.

I have to disagree because we are only 9 years into the 21st century.

We haven't really experienced what the other 91 years of the 21st century is going to be like.

If we make it to the 2100--then we can say that we survived the 21st century. Do you think you will be here for that?

**KarissaMann05** · 05-05-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

I have to disagree because we are only 9 years into the 21st century.

We haven't really experienced what the other 91 years of the 21st century is going to be like.

Disagreeable. I guess we have a different POV.

If you look at 1950 to present, it is pretty changable, don't you think so? I do think the future is going to be totally different than today. So, yeah, it could.

If we make it to the 2100--then we can say that we survived the 21st century. Do you think you will be here for that?

Uhh... What make you think I said it? I never said a such thing... =/ Well, you want my answer, so here's... No. That's all you got.

Steel X · 05-05-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

I guess he doesn't have enough to keep him busy as President, so he's decided to get involved with schools.

Actually before he became our President, he stated one of his major goals is to improve education for the children which he believes is very important to our country's future. So he kept his word and showed us that he is doing something about it.

Go watch the old tapes or something...if you have it. lol

Steel X · 05-05-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

It may have been the tradition however you are forgetting one thing: agriculture.

The reasoning for the Spring break/Summer break/ and Fall break was base on the planting/growing and harvest seasons of the farmers as in the 19th century--America was pretty much dependent on agriculture for economics. The farmers needed their children to assist with the planting, maintenance of the crops as well as harvesting of the food that was being grown.

Now that we are in the 21st century--how many people are still farming? Not as much as it was in the 19th century and the education system needs to keep up with the societal changes.

To say that it base on tradition--may be true however it's time for certain traditions to go "bye-bye" and this being one of them.....

Welcome to the evolution of techology...

**Foxrac** · 05-05-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdie714

I have to disagree because we are only 9 years into the 21st century.

We haven't really experienced what the other 91 years of the 21st century is going to be like.

If we make it to the 2100--then we can say that we survived the 21st century. Do you think you will be here for that?

Not for school, I prefer to sticking with traditional years for school.

I have disagree with your post, anyway.

**Foxrac** · 05-05-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel X

Welcome to the evolution of techology...

What are you talking? Japan has long school years for many years, nothing is new.

I don't think you are aware of alot of poor regulation and overcrowded school in America.

There's some great school in America, they are closer or equal to Europe or Japan's standard but they still have shorter school days.

jillio · 05-05-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel X

Embarrassingly enough, this is quite true. Alot of our students cant even tell where Russia is on the map as well.

Just go to Alaska and look!

jillio · 05-05-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

First of all, since when is it the duty of the President to propose anything about our public schools? Please show me in the Constitution where this is one of his duties.

One size does not fit all when it comes to schools.

How many hours per day, days per year did Obama attend school?

How many hours per day, days per year did our NASA scientists, computer hardware and software designers, entrepreneurs, inventors, etc., attend school prior to the 70's?

If the quantity of school time increases, is that a guarantee that the quality of schools will improve? Or will it just be more hours of the same-old, same-old? Will the kids be alert late into the afternoon?

I guess he doesn't have enough to keep him busy as President, so he's decided to get involved with schools.

Yes, the government would love to have more hours of influence over our precious children.

I thought our economy and universal health care were his hot-list priorities; oh, and that pesky war over there.

Maybe he should be Secretary of Education instead of President and Commander in Chief?

Specifically, how would longer hours and more days resolve those problems?

How will longer hours at school develop a love for reading in the Wii generation?

What exactly happened to the curriculum, and what would be done to "rebuild" it?

The stimulus money will provide the increase in pay for how long?

For how long?

I thought they couldn't read and use a map. How will newer technologies resolve those problems? How did students manage to read and use maps in the past before technology was available?

Are we sure that adding a couple months of school will do all that?

Do we know how much it will cost to pay teachers, administration, and maintenance staff for those extra weeks? How much will it cost to air condition the schools thru the summer? How much will it cost to heat and AC the schools during longer school days? How dark will it be when kids go to school and come home? Will teachers experience burn out? When will teachers have time to get their advanced degrees? If high school students can't get summer jobs to pay for their college, what will they do? Will this plan be mandatory or will each school board decide whether or not to adopt it?

The Federal Government doesn't have anything to do with the public school system? Someone better tell them that.

So, improved education is only worthwhile if it doesn't cost anything? Nice priorities.

jillio · 05-05-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel X

Actually before he became our President, he stated one of his major goals is to improve education for the children which he believes is very important to our country's future. So he kept his word and showed us that he is doing something about it.

Go watch the old tapes or something...if you have it. lol

Exactly. In fact, his educational platform was one of the things that people agreed with highly.

And, if education isn't the President's concern, what's up with Bush's NCLB legislation?

**Jolie77** · 05-05-2009, 08:16 PM

Here's something to think about -- The trend of the education level.

Quote:

Question:
What are the trends in the educational level of the United States population?

Response:
In 2007, some 87 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds had received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate. Although this percentage increased 7 percentage points between 1971 and 1976, the high school completion rate has remained between 85 and 88 percent over the last 30 years.

In 1971, a lower percentage of Blacks than Whites completed high school (59 vs. 82 percent). Between 1971 and 1982, the gap between Blacks and Whites decreased 15 percentage points to 8 percentage points, but since 1982 the gap has been between 4 and 10 percentage points. In 2007, the high school completion rate for Blacks was still below that of Whites (88 vs. 93 percent). The high school completion rate for Hispanics increased between 1971 and 2007 (48 vs. 65 percent). Unlike the gap between Blacks and Whites, the gap between Hispanics and Whites fluctuated but was not measurably different in 2007 than in 1971.

The rate at which 25- to 29-year-olds completed at least some college education increased from 34 to 58 percent between 1971 and 2007. However, increases in the rate were not consistent throughout this period. The rate increased during the 1970s, leveled off during the 1980s, and increased in the 1990s. Since the late 1990s, the rate has leveled off again. For each racial/ethnic group, the percentage completing at least some college was higher in 2007 than 1971. However, the rate of increase was lower for Hispanics than for Whites or Blacks. In 2007, about 66 percent of White 25- to 29-year-olds had completed at least some college, compared with 50 percent of their Black peers and 34 percent of their Hispanic peers.

In 2007, some 30 percent of 25- to 29-year-olds had completed a bachelor's degree or higher. In most years, about half as many 25- to 29-year-olds had completed a bachelor's degree or higher as had completed at least some college. Between 1971 and 1996, the percentage of 25- to 29-year-olds who had completed a bachelor's degree or higher increased from 17 to 27 percent. Although this change represents an increase of 10 percentage points, the rate has remained between 27 and 30 percent since 1996. While the percentage of 25- to 29-year-olds with a bachelor's degree or higher increased for all three racial/ethnic groups, the gaps between Whites and their Black and Hispanic peers widened between 1971 and 2007.

Source: Fast Facts

pek1 · 05-05-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

My step-cousin who is a teacher in Colorado told me that the school board there approved to add 70 minutes to the school day. What she was so pissed off was that they arent planning on increasing teacher pay or give teacher more comp time. To me that is JUST SO wrong! If teacher's pay arent increased, and this gets approved nationwide, we will see a teacher shortage crisis.

To be equally pragmatic, shel, you're just a little younger than I am, but when we went to school, we had to work for good grades. The A's and B's that students are receiving today are equal to the C's and D's we got when we were that age.

By the way, a teacher friend of my brother's had said that, not me.

When I was a kid, school started the Thursday before Labor Day, one month for Christmas and the school year ended the first week in June.

pek1 · 05-05-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naisho

Food for thought:

How come we don't hear about shootouts in other countries and their schools? Not saying this never happened, but it seems rare on US news.

And in USA it's apparently really common? Feels like we have all the attention. What's the deal?

It's because, naisho, the kids in the USA have A LOT of time on their hands, which is why they know more about sex than anywhere else in the world.

**Jiro** · 05-05-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pek1

It's because, naisho, the kids in the USA have A LOT of time on their hands, which is why they know more about sex than anywhere else in the world.

and also.... ever seen our tv shows lately?

pek1 · 05-05-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

. . . And Milwaukee can get very frigid, would you make your child freeze his or her ass off walking the two miles to and from school in -10 weather? . . . I know because I lived in Minnesota for 5 years!

My mother did when she was a little girl. Two miles one way. All sorts of weather. Your children can handle it. My mother's house was also heated with a wood burning stove and that's how her mother cooked, even when it's hot.

Since you're complaining of the heat in Taxes, why stay there? Especially with the gang trash can kids?

pek1 · 05-05-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuciaDisturbed

Maybe it's because you've been reading the USA newspapers and not other countries' newspapers? Hmm? Ever think about how the USA newspapers talk more about the USA more than about other countries? THIS IS THE ****ING USA!

GO READ A NEWSPAPER FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY! Then come back and tell us!

Lucia,

The newspapers here in the states are written at a seventh grade reading level because our schools are teaching kids (your generation and younger) at that level. The schools are dumbing down the kids and, as I said previously, the A's and B's today are equal to my generations C's and D's.

Now, what's this about the ******* USA you're talking about? You make it sound like our shit don't stink? Maybe that's the problem. Go drive your American car and brag how good they are when in reality they're crap and going bankrupt.

pek1 · 05-05-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

and also.... ever seen our tv shows lately?

Yeah. They add laugh tracks because they want us to laugh at their lousy writing.

pek1 · 05-05-2009, 09:01 PM

In my opinion, I think the school year should go year-round. There are way too many vacation days during the school year as it is.

It's funny that the kids in the USA are taught to respect other cultures, especially when those people come to the USA. They don't respect us, but we have to respect them. Go figure.

I don't see a problem with keeping the days off the same, but the sports programs need to be tightened, if not eliminated. If kids want sports, there are community centers all across the nation that offer these. Schools are for educating, not for sports.

Teachers have too many problem students in classrooms. I would favor the Socratical method of teaching to weed those students who want to be there from those who are wasting everyone's time.

Teachers also need to focus on teaching children, not on being "teachers." Big difference!

And get rid of those damn unions that want to "protect" lousy teachers!

webexplorer · 05-05-2009, 09:05 PM

Well, Japan and USA are so different because of the social, culture and money. It seems a good idea to increase the school days, but I strongly believe that it will NOT make any improvement for American schools because many teachers are not doing a good job. In fact, many parents are not well teaching their kids. i.e. They need to learn how to take care of their own financial, credit cards, retirement, and savings. Our government and banks have too many corruption. i.e. The banks like to hurt their customers by messing up their credit cards or others.

Many big corporations are paying several teachers in colleges to follow what the companies want them to teach the students so that they would get a job at these companies. I don't know about Japan's way.

jillio · 05-05-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webexplorer

Well, Japan and USA are so different because of the social, culture and money. It seems a good idea to increase the school days, but I strongly believe that it will NOT make any improvement for American schools because many teachers are not doing a good job. In fact, many parents are not well teaching their kids. i.e. They need to learn how to take care of their own financial, credit cards, retirement, and savings. Our government and banks have too many corruption. i.e. The banks like to hurt their customers by messing up their credit cards or others.

Many big corporations are paying several teachers in colleges to follow what the companies want them to teach the students so that they would get a job at these companies. I don't know about Japan's way.

Agreed. Increasing the school day alone will not resolve the problems in our educational system.

**Jiro** · 05-05-2009, 11:23 PM

lol yea same. 2 miles walk to school is nothing comparable to what my parents did in their youth.

LuciaDisturbed · 05-06-2009, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

One size does not fit all when it comes to schools.

How many hours per day, days per year did Obama attend school?

How many hours per day, days per year did our NASA scientists, computer hardware and software designers, entrepreneurs, inventors, etc., attend school prior to the 70's?

If the quantity of school time increases, is that a guarantee that the quality of schools will improve? Or will it just be more hours of the same-old, same-old? Will the kids be alert late into the afternoon?

Specifically, how would longer hours and more days resolve those problems?

How will longer hours at school develop a love for reading in the Wii generation?

What exactly happened to the curriculum, and what would be done to "rebuild" it?

Are we sure that adding a couple months of school will do all that?

Do we know how much it will cost to pay teachers, administration, and maintenance staff for those extra weeks? How much will it cost to air condition the schools thru the summer? How much will it cost to heat and AC the schools during longer school days? How dark will it be when kids go to school and come home? Will teachers experience burn out? When will teachers have time to get their advanced degrees? If high school students can't get summer jobs to pay for their college, what will they do? Will this plan be mandatory or will each school board decide whether or not to adopt it?

Finally, something I and Reba can agree on...longer school days or longer school terms/year round school isn't a good idea for both the children and the teachers. I don't want my children to be so tired after a long day of school and come home, because then they will be too tired to do their homework. And you have to consider the teachers too. They have lives to live too, and they shouldn't be spending all their time in the classrooms. If the teachers get overworked they will end up cutting corners in education, and it could affect the children badly. There would be a ripple effect. It won't be good. And the pay the teachers already get is not so good already. I have an aunt who is a 3rd grade teacher, and she has 3 (now grown) children of her own. She has struggled so hard to support herself and her 3 children on the crappy pay she gets as a teacher for so many years ever since she and my uncle divorced when I was a small child. And my uncle was of no help as he (although I love him, I hate to admit this - and funny that he was committed to the Army for 25 "glorious" years but not committed to his children at all) is a deadbeat dad, and have not paid one red cent towards those three children (he has at least 4 children that I know of - the 4th is only a preteen). She lives from paycheck to paycheck. I feel truly sorry for my aunt.

All work and no play makes a dull child (and a dull adult too!).

Play is a very good thing for people, both children and adults, psychological wise. Work, work, work, and more work on top of work will only burn people out. I know I would. I have burnt out before at a job where my commute time was 2 1/2 hours PER way by public transit bus, and therefore was not home for about 13 hours out of the 24 hours per day that us human beings are given. I was forced to take this job by this woman who works for an organization affiliated with Goodwill, she finds jobs for the Deaf and other disabled people. I told her specifically what I was looking for in a job (VERY reasonable requests - appropriate commute time (I asked for no more than 1 hour each way on the public transit bus as is per usual for adults who commute), location (I asked for it to be in the CITY LIMITS of Milwaukee as I use public transit, hours (8 hours per day 5 days a week, 2nd shift) and not too physical as I have hip dysplasia and cannot do any running and fast walking - because it hurts a lot - as was required in this job) and no factories due to the physical activity required in factories. She finds me a job that has all the things that I said I cannot do. It was ridiculous. Thank goodness I was eventually fired - I had wanted to quit on my own and find a more appropriate job but she would not permit me to quit at all (back then I had actually thought she had the right to not allow me to quit - I was young and did not know my rights and really thought it was NOT allowed AT ALL) and I had no free time to search for a different job while working. She even had a very snotty attitude when I commented that the commute time to that job was 2 1/2 hour EACH WAY. She goes "oh, all responsible adults leave VERY early for their jobs." Um, yeah, no. 1 hour per way is reasonable. Not 2 1/2 hours. So, yeah, work, work, work, and I got burnt out. I was totally unnecessarily killing myself at that job because I had no idea that I had the right to quit if I had wanted/needed to.

I am glad I do not live in countries where school are 6 or even 7 days a week! It would totally suck not to have even one day off per week. We are human beings and we all need breaks.

Lighthouse77 · 05-06-2009, 01:27 AM

not only that, you would not have time to do afterschool activities such as karate (my son take this) , or ballet, whatever out there.

BTW, not all parents leave their kids alone at home, They usually drop them off at the grandmas or afterschool activities etc. It's illegal to leave a young child care for himself at home (you will have your child taken away)

I don't know about you all, but I loved my summer camp! I loved camping and looking under the stars. I loved my lazy days of summer, gives me plenty of time to think.. you be surprised how kids get creative when they get bored and I loved how my parents make me do work when I got too bored. like weeding the garden.

LuciaDisturbed · 05-06-2009, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pek1

Lucia,

The newspapers here in the states are written at a seventh grade reading level because our schools are teaching kids (your generation and younger) at that level. The schools are dumbing down the kids and, as I said previously, the A's and B's today are equal to my generations C's and D's.

Now, what's this about the ******* USA you're talking about? You make it sound like our shit don't stink? Maybe that's the problem. Go drive your American car and brag how good they are when in reality they're crap and going bankrupt.

Ha, I don't even have a car. I have never had a car of my own. I don't think the USA doesn't stink. Actually, I am bored with the USA as well as annoyed. I would love to visit another country, maybe Australia or somewhere in Europe. Spain and Portugal are one of the few countries that looks interesting to me. I would like to visit Mexico and South America. I am not one of those annoying people who tell you to buy only American products. More than 3/4 of the things I own are not made in the USA.

I am saying that this person ought to read newspapers of other countries (if that person can get them translated) and find out what really goes on in those countries, or at least talk to people from other countries over the internet, ask then questions about what it is like in schools as well as society in their countries. We can't depend on our USA media because a lot of it can be biased. I am only saying that maybe that person should find out what it is really like in schools and in the general public in other countries, since that person seems to think other countries have it better in school (as in school shootings), and that some things doesn't ever happen in other countries. I have even had people tell me that there is NO gangs in certain countries, and that annoys me, because there are gangs everywhere in the world. No country is immune from such things as this. Maybe there are school shootings in other countries, but we would not know for sure unless we read the newspapers of other countries (if we can get someone to translate them for us) and find out what really goes on in other countries, or maybe even talk to people in other countries. Until then we are not really in a position to say what it really is like in other countries. That's what I meant. I am not an "arrogant American" as you may think I am. You mistook what I said. I am not one of those arrogant Americans who only use and buy products made in the USA only and who think we have it better here - we don't, even though the USA is supposedly "the richest country in the world" - there is the fact that we are in debt. In fact, people who insist on buying things that are made in the USA only are frankly very annoying. I truly do not care what country my product that I buy is from as long as the quality is good and I like the product. Some product from other countries will have lower quality while other products have better quality but not all products from outside the USA are crap despite what some people claim. I pay no attention to the labels that say "made in *country name*". I only do research on the product I want to buy based on its quality and its specs and the feedback of the people that have owned the product I buy, and that goes for ALL products I buy.

Yes, I do agree that the reading levels of our newspapers are at a 7th grade level, but I do not think that it has to do with the amount of time spent in schools. What we need is better standards/better curriculum/more challenging levels of subjects being taught at all schools. Neither ASL nor English is my first language. The only reason I am able to write English this well is because while I was in one foster placement I kept myself busy with books so I could escape from the reality of the conditions of the place I was at. Otherwise I think I would have done much worse. When I left the placement and came back to the state school for the Deaf they put me back one grade and also expected me to do so much worse than that due to the curriculum of the placement I was at, but I surprised everybody and got them to move me back up to the grade that I was supposed to be in had I not been at that foster placement (although I do now wish they had not moved me back up as the students of that higher grade was so much more rude and snobby and wouldn't give me the time of the day so I was lonely while the students of the lower grade was so much nicer and friendlier and I had more friends there). And even with my written English being this good, I still have many gaps, I make many mistakes, and I frequently come across words that I do not know and I have to stop and look it up. Sometimes I will even stop mid-sentence and try to think of the word I was trying to come up with. That happens frequently.

LuciaDisturbed · 05-06-2009, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pek1

My mother did when she was a little girl. Two miles one way. All sorts of weather. Your children can handle it. My mother's house was also heated with a wood burning stove and that's how her mother cooked, even when it's hot.

Since you're complaining of the heat in Taxes, why stay there? Especially with the gang trash can kids?

You're making yourself sound much older and you also sound like you lived out in the middle of nowhere. What are you, 80 or 90?

I would rather live in Texas in this kind of heat even when it reaches the 100s than go back to Wisconsin and freeze to death waiting for a bus. My hands and fingers and feet can go numb very fast in -10 degree weather in Milwaukee. It's easier to stay cool in the hot weather here than it is to stay warm in frigid weather. Ever since I was a little girl I always had a plan of moving to a warmer climate for good, and I finally succeeded in doing so 3 years ago. I have no regrets about it, even if we have gangs here. There are gangs in Milwaukee as well, so it is not going to make a damn difference. There are gangs everywhere. Even many small towns are not immune to gangs - for example, Delavan, Wisconsin. That town is rural, but we do have a gang there.

LuciaDisturbed · 05-06-2009, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lighthouse77

not only that, you would not have time to do afterschool activities such as karate (my son take this) , or ballet, whatever out there.

BTW, not all parents leave their kids alone at home, They usually drop them off at the grandmas or afterschool activities etc. It's illegal to leave a young child care for himself at home (you will have your child taken away)

I don't know about you all, but I loved my summer camp! I loved camping and looking under the stars. I loved my lazy days of summer, gives me plenty of time to think.. you be surprised how kids get creative when they get bored and I loved how my parents make me do work when I got too bored. like weeding the garden.

Yeah, I would like to send my children to summer camp such as Lion's Camp (if they are Deaf)or other summer camps. Many children love summer camp, why deny them this?

And many families like to take vacations during the summer, many families find that the summer is the best if you want to visit many states around the USA. It's great if you want to get a RV and hit every state in the lower 48 states, Canada, and maybe even Alaska if they can do that. Having year round school would prevent those families from doing this. I would like to have 3 months devoted to traveling with my family, hitting as many states as I could, or going to multiple countries in Europe or Central or South America. I don't want to sit at home and be bored for two weeks because I don't get 3 months straight of free time to travel if it was changed to year round school. That would totally suck.

05-05-2009, 02:26 PM	#92 (permalink)
Adamsmomma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,121	When my brother transferred from the 'traditional public school' at the start of his 9th grade year into a 'university school' (run by the Local University) they went to a year round program... this was WONDERFUL. (I was still living in the area at the time so I got to see first hand how well it worked) As for the family vacation-- we were able to do more b/c he was out of school in the 'off season' and it was less expensive and less crowded to travel-- plus at our employers it was easier to take time off b/c we weren't fighting over the summer weeks vacations... Then the academic side... w/my brothers CAPD and HoH issues he had a hard enough time in school~~ three months out of school always gave him hell... he had to 'relearn' everything (except math) so being out a month in the summer and 3 weeks at a time at various times of the year made it easier for him to retain. He could work 'full time' for his breaks and earn extra money-- and he got better schedules b/c his peers were in school still... It also meant for the kids who were younger-- that their parents didn't have to find 'suitable' childcare for the whole summer~ instead were able to break that bill up throughout the year. And gave the kids less time to be idle... which helped with dicipline issues for some as well... what's the quote about idle hands?? AND my friends who taught at the US/UH LOVED their mid season breaks from the kids... (and the lower rates when they too travelled!!!) So it was great for everyone!!! I know I whined when they mentioned possibly doing year round in the 1990's and I was in HS... but honestly it would've been better~~ I HATED review at the end of summer. However I agree that textbooks, technology and teachers need to be up to date, AND properly compensated... otherwise-- more school, less school, longer hours, shorter days... whatever~~ isn't going to help our education system... And it's just my opinion but parental involvment is vital... my mom was always there to help us-- if we accepted it or not was different lol-- and my parents were intouch w/our teachers. (and as the much older big sister, I even had relationships w/some of my brothers teachers so I could go to them and talk to them if he needed help..) but so many parents aren't involved-- and that is a HUGE problem on many levels... __________________ Proud Momma to a toddler who apparently has a unilateral profound hearing loss?!?! He's quickly learning to sign and talk more each day-- we're starting on a new journey of learning ASL together-- this is going to be a fun ride!!! -- cheesing for the camera-- as always

05-05-2009, 09:01 PM	#112 (permalink)
pek1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: When I survey the wondrous Cross . . . Posts: 3,994	In my opinion, I think the school year should go year-round. There are way too many vacation days during the school year as it is. It's funny that the kids in the USA are taught to respect other cultures, especially when those people come to the USA. They don't respect us, but we have to respect them. Go figure. I don't see a problem with keeping the days off the same, but the sports programs need to be tightened, if not eliminated. If kids want sports, there are community centers all across the nation that offer these. Schools are for educating, not for sports. Teachers have too many problem students in classrooms. I would favor the Socratical method of teaching to weed those students who want to be there from those who are wasting everyone's time. Teachers also need to focus on teaching children, not on being "teachers." Big difference! And get rid of those damn unions that want to "protect" lousy teachers! __________________ Pete

05-05-2009, 11:23 PM	#115 (permalink)
Jiro Aparecium Deletrius Legil Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Soprano State Posts: 61,221	lol yea same. 2 miles walk to school is nothing comparable to what my parents did in their youth. __________________ - Don't forget to buy Jiro's Special Edition Sunglasses for $19.95

05-06-2009, 01:27 AM	#117 (permalink)
Lighthouse77 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4,167	not only that, you would not have time to do afterschool activities such as karate (my son take this) , or ballet, whatever out there. BTW, not all parents leave their kids alone at home, They usually drop them off at the grandmas or afterschool activities etc. It's illegal to leave a young child care for himself at home (you will have your child taken away) I don't know about you all, but I loved my summer camp! I loved camping and looking under the stars. I loved my lazy days of summer, gives me plenty of time to think.. you be surprised how kids get creative when they get bored and I loved how my parents make me do work when I got too bored. like weeding the garden. __________________ Good thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.

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05-05-2009, 01:54 PM	#91 (permalink)
Maria Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: WISCONSIN Posts: 10,308	I opposed with President Obama's idea about adding school days.

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05-05-2009, 09:05 PM	#113 (permalink)
webexplorer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New England Posts: 5,476	Well, Japan and USA are so different because of the social, culture and money. It seems a good idea to increase the school days, but I strongly believe that it will NOT make any improvement for American schools because many teachers are not doing a good job. In fact, many parents are not well teaching their kids. i.e. They need to learn how to take care of their own financial, credit cards, retirement, and savings. Our government and banks have too many corruption. i.e. The banks like to hurt their customers by messing up their credit cards or others. Many big corporations are paying several teachers in colleges to follow what the companies want them to teach the students so that they would get a job at these companies. I don't know about Japan's way.