|
|
Post by momto4 on Nov 27, 2007 11:45:08 GMT -6
Bingo... Unfortunately that too is an uphill battle as it seems more and more the yummy mummies want to outsource parenting as much as possible so as to not interfere with yoga, coffee, shopping and pilates classes. Actually, I find this offensive also. I would elect to send my child to All-day-K due to the increased exposure to structured learning and socialization at a very critical development age. Arch, you send your kids to public school, and do not home school - does that mean you're shirking your parental duties and outsourcing parenting by not home-schooling? My guess was that many of the people who take advantage of this will because they work and it makes for easier logistics. Personally, I think most kids at age 5 don't need more structure and academics but mostly unstructured time with family and/or friends. I'm happy with the transition of child at home full-time to half day K to full day 1st grade, OR 2 mornings a week preschool at age 3, 3 mornings at age 4, 5 half-days of K at 5, all day 1st grade at 6. The new plan let's us all choose what we want for our kindergarteners. It does not give the parents of kids in grades 1-5 any choice in what will happen in regard to permanent overcrowding in some buildings and looking for space for programs in every available nook and cranny (which I've been through too many times already and thought we were mostly beyond). However, if enough people choose half day, maybe these problems won't come to pass. |
|
|
|
Post by momto4 on Nov 27, 2007 11:49:22 GMT -6
Something the newspapers didn't do a good job of noting about the speakers last night - one was Val Dranias, president of the teacher's union, and one was the music teacher from Builta. Both made some very good points. Not sure how the Sun reporter decided that it was 5 parents who spoke.
|
|
|
|
Post by blankcheck on Nov 27, 2007 11:58:25 GMT -6
the board of education has stipulated that the program is conditional based on space and finances. OK - so you start up the program, and realize oops guess we did not have the space or oops guess we didn't have the $$$. Sorry folks. Guess well have to revert back to the old 1/2 day of school. Oh - by the way - adious 61 new teachers. Hopefully, we will have the program long enough to recoop our costs. Oh and one more thing - if you want your child in 1/2 day and it's not offered at your school, are you now responsible for driving your child to that other elementary school or will the district provide that service?  ?? |
|
|
|
Post by rew on Nov 27, 2007 12:04:51 GMT -6
Optional full day K... I understand the concept of transitioninng, but either full day K is good for kids or not. If it is important for kids academically, why let parents opt out?
What new material will be presented in the PM, that a half day Ker would miss? If they don't present new material, then it's review, enrichment, or daycare? I don't get it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arch on Nov 27, 2007 12:30:04 GMT -6
Bingo... Unfortunately that too is an uphill battle as it seems more and more the yummy mummies want to outsource parenting as much as possible so as to not interfere with yoga, coffee, shopping and pilates classes. Actually, I find this offensive also. I would elect to send my child to All-day-K due to the increased exposure to structured learning and socialization at a very critical development age. Arch, you send your kids to public school, and do not home school - does that mean you're shirking your parental duties and outsourcing parenting by not home-schooling? Being that I've been working from home the past 9 years to be with mine; I'd have to say yes, I'm guilty as charged. |
|
|
|
Post by momof3 on Nov 27, 2007 12:33:34 GMT -6
The new plan let's us all choose what we want for our kindergarteners. It does not give the parents of kids in grades 1-5 any choice in what will happen in regard to permanent overcrowding in some buildings and looking for space for programs in every available nook and cranny (which I've been through too many times already and thought we were mostly beyond). You hit the nail on the head momto4. Once your kid is out of K, you are out of choices. Stevie D. mentioned 2 weeks ago that in his other districts the parent surveys were all very positive regarding ADK. These surveys were of the current K parents. I wonder what they thought later on down the line? If it is all rosy and there were no space issues, why did the president of the teachers union speak against it? You would think they'd be thrilled with 61 new dues-paying members. |
|
|
|
Post by bob on Nov 27, 2007 12:49:14 GMT -6
Maybe they will be hiring non-union teachers. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by doctorwho on Nov 27, 2007 12:51:16 GMT -6
the board of education has stipulated that the program is conditional based on space and finances. OK - so you start up the program, and realize oops guess we did not have the space or oops guess we didn't have the $$$. Sorry folks. Guess well have to revert back to the old 1/2 day of school. Oh - by the way - adious 61 new teachers. Hopefully, we will have the program long enough to recoop our costs. Oh and one more thing - if you want your child in 1/2 day and it's not offered at your school, are you now responsible for driving your child to that other elementary school or will the district provide that service? ?? my understanding is that they will provide bus service -- -- |
|
|
|
Post by Arch on Nov 27, 2007 12:52:38 GMT -6
Maybe they will be hiring non-union teachers. ;D Mental picture of a 2009 failed Referendum and Ronald Reagan's ghost fires all of the Union ones and replaces them... |
|
|
|
Post by momof3 on Nov 27, 2007 13:04:09 GMT -6
C'mon, even the biggest ADK cheerleaders in the district aren't going to buy that sitting in a partitioned - off section of the LMC and receiving reading intervention is BETTER "more appropriate" than sitting in a room.
This is a joke.
They are going to hurt the kids that need help the most.
|
|
|
|
Post by Arch on Nov 27, 2007 13:11:19 GMT -6
C'mon, even the biggest ADK cheerleaders in the district aren't going to buy that sitting in a partitioned - off section of the LMC and receiving reading intervention is BETTER "more appropriate" than sitting in a room. This is a joke. They are going to hurt the kids that need help the most. If currently, the pilot allows for 100% attention to those that need the extra work, when you throw in kids that don't need the extra work to 'catch up' it will diminish that once 100% attention to those that actually did need it to something less than it was. |
|
|
|
Post by blankcheck on Nov 27, 2007 13:21:52 GMT -6
So their going to bus these kids all around the district. Who is going to pay for that?
I agree Arch, once again the students who need the most attention will be lost in the shuffle.
|
|
|
|
Post by doctorwho on Nov 27, 2007 13:46:56 GMT -6
C'mon, even the biggest ADK cheerleaders in the district aren't going to buy that sitting in a partitioned - off section of the LMC and receiving reading intervention is BETTER "more appropriate" than sitting in a room. This is a joke. They are going to hurt the kids that need help the most. at the board meeting before last I heard a former music teacher - now administrator talk about how art - music on a cart could actually be better than in a classroom -- so nothing surprises me any more. I remember art on a cart on the stage at Watts while behind the curtain the lunch room was going loudly -- and combining 2 music classes into one big room - etc before the addition there years ago......I remember people apologizing for the situation that would be resolved as soon as the money was OK'd for an addition to the school. must be my faulty memory |
|
|
|
Post by blankcheck on Nov 27, 2007 14:01:08 GMT -6
The situation remains that the SB has done nothing regarding the crowded middle schools and high schools yet they can implement a full day KG program. It seems quite clear that enrollment is at a level at the elementary schools where they can now house all kindergartners full time. So in a few years they to will move through the system and the need for this 124 million dollar school may not be necessary.
or -
Enrollment increases to the point where they can no longer offer full time kindergarten.
Which way is it SB - it seems that you want everything both ways.
Funding is not a problem either for full day KG
or-
We WILL need another referendum in 2009 to pay for our teacher salaries etc.
Again, which way is it SB either we have the money or we don't - again can't have it both ways.
|
|
|
|
Post by bob on Nov 27, 2007 14:18:48 GMT -6
10 years of 9000 kids in the HS. Why is it so hard to see that if enrollment drops the SD will close the freshman center instead of closing a HS. With 8100 and a closed freshman center which should be sold or the most profitable middle school property, the HS will still be at 90% capacity.
What makes you think there won't be a 09 referendum? It is pretty much a given since the SD has been capped for a few years.
|
|
??
