School Calendar
Contributed by: Michelle Monte
I wrote this last night and posted it on my blog: www.monteforschoolboard.blogspot.com
I just returned from the forum and tucked my kids into bed. I brought my children to put a face on the issue because it is very easy to dismiss a statistic. Also because my autistic daughter has been having serious behavior problems on early release Wednesdays. One of the teachers she needs to see every day to help her adjust from gym to classroom, is not available on early release Wednesdays. I will not defend my right to protect my child's interests and education.
I also asked each board member if they had come to the forum with an open mind as they will be taking recommendations to the OEA. Four members, including McDermott, Kavanaugh, Bowen, and Sween said they agree with the early Wednesdays. Bowen has been heard to say at Board meetings and in other committee meetings that she is in favor of keeping the current calendar for 2 to 3 more years. McDermott sited the complaints about early release and late starts on the calendar as being one of the motivations for change. Muza piped in about frequency being important and how Fridays interfere with sports and other extracurricular activities. I was surprised Weinsheim was so tight lipped as she was one who said 600 signatures in a district of over 10,000 students wasn't significant enough last spring.
Several times the word "predisposed" came up with several board members. They were predisposed to Wednesdays. McDermott stated that it would take a lot to convince him that Wednesdays should be changed. Bowen reassured me that predisposed did not mean "close-minded." Though she thinks the calendar may need to be "tweaked," changing to Fridays was not tweaking, it is changing and they do not want to "change" anything.
A couple of parents said Wednesdays were not a problem for them, the lack of communication, loss of instruction, and lack of preparation by the district were the problems. No one said the calendar was a good idea. No one spoke and said, "this was great, you guys did wonderfully, atta boy." There were a lot of recommendations for Fridays and less frequency. There were also suggestions of alternative plans. The survey revealed 64 responses: 60% (38) expressed problems with Wednesdays and/or recommended Fridays; 26% (17) had no problem with Wednesdays and had children over the age of 12; 14% (9) had no problems with Wednesdays and had children under 12. One couple, both teachers in this district, expressed issues about picking up their kids early and the cost of care. They aren't the only teachers I have heard form with similar concerns.
One comment from Wayne Traska struck a chord with me. He said he talked to members of OEA and they were willing to negotiate if they were paid for the time. Schneider pointed out that we can't afford to pay more. I wonder, several board members stated in the past that OEA was not interested in alternative plans. Of course none could say tonight what the alternatives were that were presented to OEA. I wonder if OEA is more receptive to ideas for the calendar than the current board has made out. I wonder if a list of detailed alternatives were discussed, could a better received consensus be met? I wonder if it isn't OEA's rigidity that is the problem, but the two members of the Board representing us in negotiations. I hope anyone in OEA who reads this could answer that.
This isn't a matter of to have or not have collaboration. I believe, as do most parents, that collaboration is a great idea. I wonder if there is another day and/or time collaboration can be accomplished. That is all I am asking is if this is the ONLY way. The board claims they took alternative plans to the OEA but were shot down.
Over all I think the "survey" was marketing propaganda to sell collaboration. No one disputes that collaboration is beneficial. It seems that there is this continuing wedge driven between OEA and the parents as though to not like Wednesdays early release is to not like collaboration. That is where better communication comes in, I think. The forum tonight seemed more like a token effort at better communication. "See. See. We're communicating. We are predisposed to our ideas only, but we are communicating." Last spring nearly a dozen people spoke against the calendar and over 500 signatures were presented on a petition. This year nearly a dozen people spoke against the calendar. Last year one person spoke in favor of the calendar, none spoke tonight. 60% of parents on the survey have problems with Wednesdays. Majority seems to have no bearing with current board members. I don't see the survey or this forum as having any weight on the five board members who keep ignoring the concerns of the people who voted for them in the first place. Maybe we just need to shout louder. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!!
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 11:08 AM MST
If someone indicated we should pay for more collaberation, I wonder if they even understand the issues, much less someone who is running for School Board? There is talk of cutting a VIP ? program that deals with teen pregnancies and mentoring students that need additional service. The community should pay more for what? Staff already earn on average over 50,000 per year I am told. With benefits, what is it total? My sister is a teacher and believe me, we shouldn't have to pay more.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 12:56 PM MST
The early release issue boils down to this: Some parents use the school system for their childcare. The early release on some Wednesdays interferes with some parents' work schedules. I say, tough.
Your first responsibility when you have a family is to your children. I am not about the debate the merits of early release, but if the school system has decided that early releases will occur on Wednesdays, then you as a parent have the responsibility to adjust your schedule to make it work for your kids. It's really that simple.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:04 PM MST
Anonymous, 12:56.
You are thick. What about the change in bell schedule on those days? dont you see that as an interuption with the students attention and learning?
Do you think taht the parents can just say "tough" to their boss and leave early 2 or 3 times a month? I am guessing that you don't work or you have an understanding employer. I have been able to make adjustments, but there are those who cannot. there are some parents out there that work 2 jobs just to make ends meet and now you want to pile more on. You need to think about more than yourself.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:13 PM MST
No, schools are not daycare centers. Families do not use schools as child care centers. Families who need to work to pay the bills and feed the children they are responsible for, work during school hours to cut down on expenses so they can take care of their children.
However, schools are for teaching students. Cutting the calendar doesn't help them. Every year the district has to apply to the state for a waiver because we are below the recommended days of instruction. The Board said we are getting time back, but they are also calling early releases full days of school. There is a reason the state recommends 180 days and not 177 or 175. We are short changing education. And why is it the parents always have to make accomodations for the benefit of the kids. Why can't the teachers make accomodations since collaboration benefits them and the kids?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:16 PM MST
It is called the teachers union. As long as Doyle is in office the teachers union will keep calling the shots when it comes to education in our state. Sad but true.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:18 PM MST
Maybe we should get someone on the board with a backbone to stand up to the union and some of the board members for that matter.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 11:54 AM MST
Where is the proof fewer minutes is "short-changing" education? Are test scores going down?
School Calendar
Authored by: DBCooper on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:03 PM MST
An equally valid question would be:
"With increased "collaboration", are test scores going UP"???
Where or what is the management plan to ensure that what is being put into place, "collaboration", is actually working? This is what is truly lacking at both the school board and administration level. They are constantly trying something new, generally speaking at increased cost, but when does the effectivity get measured?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:12 PM MST
Research across the country says yes, scores go up when teachers collaborate. Too early to tell in Oshkosh you need 3 years of data to determine trends.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 01:10 PM MST
Research also shows that results are invalidated by increasing variables. Before we even see results on collaboration (which we have been doing for two years now), we are restructuring Middle and high schools. A year from now we will be going to block scheduling if the board continues on the current line. With three new programs back to back, how will we know what is working and what isn't. And in the mean time, the students suffer because there is no continuity. Our greatest concern should be the students. Has anyone figured in the cost of reversing damage?
Thanks For Reading.
Michelle Monte
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 19 2006 @ 07:27 AM MST
Where is the research that shows minutes of instruction is what matters most? At least those in favor of collaboration, restructuring have shown research for thier side.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 19 2006 @ 07:57 AM MST
I really can't believe that anyone could doubt that more face to face instruction does not benefit kids. Where is the research from the district that Wednesdays are the best day for collaboration?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 19 2006 @ 08:35 AM MST
There isn't any, Wed. are simply more convenient for the administration and teachers. That is what they said during the meeting. Nobody is willing to entertain a different idea.
By the way, I don't think that anyone is disputing the collaboration time, just when and how it is done. I dont like taking away constructive face to face time for it, that is something that can be done after a normal school day. If the teachers want it so bad, they can do it then.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 19 2006 @ 10:11 PM MST
Some people don't "like" Wed. well that's the way it goes. You can't always have it your way. Personally I like the fact that my children can get their homework done before supper and since there are no activities on Wed. evening we can have family time with homework out of the way. I don't think the board should make decisions to keep 15 people happy. Just like the boundary issues of the past, people get upset, come to the board meeting and say "don't change my boundary" so the board does nothing...I guess that's what we have to look forward to with some of these candidates running who don't like the calendar. All it will take to keep things as they are will be to get 15 people to come to a few meetings saying don't change anything and the board will cave again. Don't expect something different, it seems pretty clear it is govern by listening to whoever shouts loudest.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 06:45 AM MST
When did the board listen to anything the public had to say.
Besides, I have said from the beginning that Wed are fine. I don't believe in early release. It is too much of a disruption. If you don't believe me, since you have so much time on your hands, go to school and take a look for yourself what happens on a shortened day.
I went to an early release school and those days were difficult to manage although the kids did like getting out of school early.
Maybe this should be a referendum question? One that would make a difference and eliminate all of this bickering.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 01:06 PM MST
Why do you think there have been no major boundary changes since 1998, no reconfiguration of school, no school closings??? Because people got mad, filled the board room or Tipler gym and the board backed down. If that isn't listening what is it? Same thing happened when it was proposed to end the Elementary Strings program, Tipler gym was filled up, people spoke to save the program and it wasn't cut, if that's not listening what is it???
15 people is NOT a ground swell, it isn't a majority, it is a small but loud group, that's all.
School Calendar
Authored by: L Schaffer on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 08:39 PM MST
Why would parents try to change the minds of the school board, the school board mind is already made up, even if another plan is better. Our elected board members are going to do whatever they want, just as long as they do not upset the teachers and if you upset the teachers, they might become clockwatchers. What needs to be done is to start getting rid of the people on this school board that are closed mined and will not listen, you start doing that maybe just maybe the rest will start to listen for fear of being voted off the board.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21 2006 @ 09:48 AM MST
Go back and read the post about boundary lines and budget cuts, you will see that when people are upset about something EVEN IF they think the board has made up their mind, they come out in DROVES and the board has not made the changes... check out the past minutes... they are all at the library.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 01:49 PM MST
In the larger picture, the issue is less about the calendar than the fact that the Administration has done a lousy job sharing what's been accomplished with collaboration thus far. Likewise, the Board has done a lousy job holding Administration accountable for doing so. We can all get past the fact that the calendar is what it is, but the fact that the communication stinks, and the Board doesn't seem to even suggest to Administration to make an effort to communicate what's happening is still troublesome. I would think the district would be falling over itself to show everyone how much gain is being made during this collaboration time. Here's a feather in their cap, why don't they flaunt it?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 03:38 PM MST
As has been said repeatedly at meetings, it will take 3 to 4 years to have definitive proof right now there isn't any data because test results are not in yet. Research shows this works elsewhere. Many schools have printed information in their newsletter about collaboration and there have been several updates at board meetings about how collaboration time is being used. You can't expect a personal phone call.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 05:58 PM MST
Again, how will we know if collaboration is working once restructuring is implemented? And how will we know collaboration and restructuring are working once block scheduling is implemented? Too many variables spoils the pot. If something goes drastically wrong, how will we know what did it and how long will it take to recover? Are we really willing to take such a large gamble? Why can't we stick with one thing at a time and see if it works before dumping more on our kids?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 06:06 PM MST
What makes you think in the information age, the factory schedule of 7 periods a day is the best thing. I want the best reseach has to offer, NONE of these things are new to education, just new to OSHKOSH.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 22 2006 @ 09:18 AM MST
Where's the reasearch on Wednesdays?
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 01:28 PM MST
i get really sick of administrators from the district throwing the term "research" around. a magazine article is research to them. they should be called on it every single time they use the word. research implies statistically significance. i will guarantee they have none on collaboration, 4 year kindergarten, all day kindergarten, sage, nor everyday math. i know because i have tried to find some.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:50 PM MST
The whole calendar issue has been distorted. The argument isn't for or against collaboration. The argument is about cutting instructional time from the calendar. Last year a good chunk of time was cut from the calendar. This year a small amount was added back. There are no plans to add any more back in the future. In addition, it is my understanding, that block scheduling will cut more time from the high school schedule.
Another part of the argument is about not communicating with families. That is still a big problem.
The day of the week is a pain no matter which you choose. Some parents think that if teachers want to collaborate, they should do it on their time, not our children's. Most of us would be willing to compromise and accept the early releases if they were on a day that makes more sense to the majority of local employers and family schedules. Even with a compromise, we still want the instructional time back. We are well below the state recommended minimums for days AND hour. I am thinking the state has a recommended minimum for a reason, and we are doing our children a disservice by seeing how low we can go.
In addition, the board keeps blaming the teachers' union for not being more flexible and the OEA blames the BOE for not budging. It is hard to know what to believe when neither is communicating with the public beyond the excuse that the calendar is a negotiated contract item.
---
Thanks for reading.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 03:00 PM MST
I don't think the district can be below the minimum number of minutes, that is why it is a minimum. I think the district is just slightly above the minimum number of minutes.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 03:04 PM MST
Oops, I meant minimum number of hours not min. sorry...
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 04:44 PM MST
We are below the MINIMUM RECOMMENDED HOURS AND DAYS.there is no legal minimum.i think you are confused by what she was saying.even the board acknowleges they are bwleo the minimum recommended time.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 07:31 PM MST
Yes there is a legal minimum number of hours, the recommendation is for 180 days which can be waived but the "Annually schedule at least 437 hours of direct pupil instruction in kindergarten, at least 1,050 hours of direct pupil instruction in grades 1 through 6 and at least 1,137 hours of direct pupil instruction in grades 7 to 12. Scheduled hours under this subdivision include recess and time for pupils to transfer between classes but do not include the lunch period." this is the REQUIRED minimum under the law.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 07:36 PM MST
arent we one hour above the legal minimum?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 01:41 PM MST
show me the statistically significant research. good luck!
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 01:40 PM MST
tell me where i can find ANY statistically significant research that shows this works. i'll be waiting.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:07 PM MST
Research! Isn't this just the new term we throw out instead of the word STATISTICS which everyone is now skeptical of? Our kids aren't rats and our schools aren't mazes so what kind of reasearch could REALLY be done to show results of something that is just one small factor in the overall education scenario. Even if we find postitve RESULTS in the level of eductaion the next few years I'm not sure that it can be directly traced to collaboration.
Don't get me wrong, I'm for collaboration and for having it on Wednesdays. The old way where our teachers only had time designated to collaborate twice a year was absurd. The following point was made to me by an OASD administrator... "the old way of doing things had each teacher as an "independant contractor" They were given benchmarks the students had to reach and then they "closed their classroom doors" and how they went about teaching was their own decision. The new model is to have more consistency from teachers, on what and how they teach. And to let teachers who may have had success in on area share it with other teachers. to do this they must have time to collaborate."
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:17 PM MST
That someone was Wayne Traska. He said that he talked to OEA members who said they would change things if they were paid more.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:31 PM MST
I think what Mr. Traska said was that the OEA presented options to the Board that wouldn't interrupt student's or parents schedule, but those options were only available if the teachers were paid more.
I didn't get the impression that he was urging the Board to spend money, but asked if those options were even considered....i.e. were all options discussed and debated in an effort to reach a palatable result for all parties vs. slamming the door.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 03:13 PM MST
Several people asked and the Board claimed they did present several ideas but wouldn't say what. I wonder what really happened. The two members of the board on the bargaining committee (Kavanaugh and McDermott) are "predisposed" to Wednesdays.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 03:45 PM MST
If they feel Wednesday is the appropriate day then that is the way it is. We do not have enough support to get it changed. My suggestion would be to replace the 2 board members you speak of. Until then accept defeat. While I support you, we lost this round.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:00 PM MST
So you replace the board members with new members who will do whatever 10-15 people come to a meeting and tell them to do? Or will it only take one person coming multiple times? That's a scary way to run a school district. What happens if the union doesn't agree? Will you then not have a calendar by Sept. then what? What is the plan then. So much for making vacation plans if you don't even know what the calendar is in August. Could happen under the "stand up to the union" plan.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:03 PM MST
Maybe the risk of not having a calendar would be an incentive to making reasonable compromises and getting the issue settled.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:04 PM MST
Oh, I bet you have a lot more than 15 parents mad if you don't have a calendar by Sept... but hey why not give it a try and see how that comes out.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21 2006 @ 09:52 AM MST
One of the two board members you speak of was re-elected last year (highest vote getter too) in the middle of this calendar issue that supposedly the majority of people didn't like. Then why was Mr. McDermott overwhelmingly re-elected when he voted for this calendar. Maybe it just isn't the BIG issue to everyone you seem to think it is.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, March 02 2006 @ 07:40 AM MST
Because he is fence sitter and the other options were ridiculous
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 22 2006 @ 09:13 AM MST
Given the election results can we finally put the calendar issue to rest?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 22 2006 @ 11:54 AM MST
Just because you disagree on 1 issue with members of the board does not mean you will not vote for them. This was not a referendum on early release. So to answer your question, no.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:06 PM MST
too many people use the term "research". a magazine article is research to many of them. they should be called on it every single time they use the word. research implies statistical significance. i will guarantee they have none on collaboration, 4 year kindergarten, all day kindergarten, sage, nor everyday math. i know because i have tried to find some. and yes asge is included in that read research- even read Mollnar's work. he admits it in between the lines fashion.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:34 PM MST
Why don't you read the Project Star report (this is the reseach the SAGE program was founded on) from Tennessee regarding class size where they randomly assigned students to one of 3 situations:
1) 22-25 students with one teacher
2) 22-25 students and one teacher and one aide
3) 13-17 students with one teacher
The students were followed through high school and those in the smaller classes in grades K-3 were found to:
outperform students in larger classes (22-25 pupils) in both reading and math on the Stanford Achievement Test for elementary students. The second phase of the STAR research found that even after returning to larger classes in grade 4, STAR’s small class students continued to outperform their peers who had been in larger class sizes.
The research further found:
Students placed in small class sizes in grades K-3 had better high school graduation rates, higher grade point averages, and were more inclined to pursue higher education.
There is a lot more but that is significant research that smaller classes do make a difference.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:58 PM MST
i have done more that read the star report- i studied it. there was no statistically significant improvement for small classes with one very tiny exception- poor black boys showed very minor improvement.
there were many flaws with the star report. the star people would not release their data for others to study.
other studies seemed to show other factors much more improtant than class size. reread it and reread molnars closely.
there is no meaningful statistical significance. NONE.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 03:12 PM MST
You are confusing the STAR report with the SAGE report (they are two different reports) and you are completely WRONG as it relates to STAR --- just Google Project STAR and Tennessee... you will find the report, a summary etc.
Frederick Mosteller, Professor Emeritus of Mathematical Statistics at Harvard University called it (Project STAR)
"one of the most important educational investigations
ever carried out and illustrates the kind and magnitude of research needed in the field of education to strengthen schools"
So I guess I'll take the word of a Harvard Mathematical Statistics professor over an anonymous poster who doesn't know one study from the other.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 28 2006 @ 08:36 PM MST
Wednesdays were picked because there is the least amount of conflicts with other after-school activities. As far as collaboration goes, every company I've ever seen knows they have to put time in the weekly schedule for meetings even though it DIRECTLY takes away from their employees productive time. Imagine if your employer said you needed to stay late and "unpaid" for your weekly staff meeting. If you want to see results of collaboration, ask a parent who has a kindergartener this year about the wonderful new report cards that were devised this year BECAUSE of collaberation.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 28 2006 @ 10:09 PM MST
Every company I know has there employees work 12 months out of the year!!!!
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 09:22 AM MST
Well thats a tried and true argument usually rolled out when ever any issue about teachers comes up but it really has NO relevance to this argument. The kindergarten report cards were just ONE example of things that have come out of collaboration. At this point I think anyone who is against the early realease Wednesdays because they feel inconvienieced by it will look for any reason to bash collaboration.
Personally I think that there is ALOT more wrong with the school schedule than releasing 45 minutes early twice a month, like why is it still based on an agrarian economy yearly schedule or a daily schedule that assumes that one parent does not work? Maybe we should be talking about a year round school calendar with an 9-10 hour school day to better reflect the schedule of most parents these days. But how would we ever be able to begn to discuss something like that when a change as minor as the early release Wednesdays meets with such anger?
School Calendar
Authored by: Jim B. on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 09:27 AM MST
School schedules should not be dictated by parents schedules! I sure don't want my children in school for 9-10 hours a day. A lot of adults don't have that long of a day, how could you expect children to handle it. I am for year round school, but I don't think you have to increase the days hours. I have lived in places that they 8 weeks on and 2-4 weeks off depending on the time of year.
Jim B.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 09:55 AM MST
The one bad thing about the written word is that sarcsm is often hard to perceive. While I do think that it is time to "redo" the school schedule to better reflect our modern day lifestyles, I was over exagerating that shcool should be all year long and 9-10 hours a day. That is called DAY CARE and I feel it is what many parents want who are complaining about the early release times.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 03:43 PM MST
the issue several had regarding the calendar wasn't as much the "what" as it was the "how". They didn't put a thought into how it would be implemented, tossed it out like it was no big deal, and then were left scrambling to find ways to plug the holes. Not a very effective or efficient way to do something, let along create a sense of trust.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 06:41 PM MST
I agree that last year the OASD Admin. and the Board blew it when it came to setting the schedule and changing the early release to more frequesnt Wednesdays. It was "shoved down parents throats" without seeking deedback and that is wrong. But I think the justification for doing it on Wednesdays and more frequently is sound. Now that it's been a year, I think it should be kept as it is to see if it will provide results. Yes, the results may be hard to measure but I think we need to have a bit of trust in our educators to decide if its working. I think to only look at this as a mater of how many minutes our children are in class now is shortsighted as one of the goals of collaberation is to make those minutes more productive.
School Calendar
Authored by: L Schaffer on Tuesday, February 28 2006 @ 10:24 PM MST
Is that all that has come out of collaberation, new report card, what a waste of time and money. Collaberation should be held during the last few weeks of August, just before school starts so you have more time to talk instead of maybe 4 hours a month.
I wrote this last night and posted it on my blog: www.monteforschoolboard.blogspot.com
I just returned from the forum and tucked my kids into bed. I brought my children to put a face on the issue because it is very easy to dismiss a statistic. Also because my autistic daughter has been having serious behavior problems on early release Wednesdays. One of the teachers she needs to see every day to help her adjust from gym to classroom, is not available on early release Wednesdays. I will not defend my right to protect my child's interests and education.
I also asked each board member if they had come to the forum with an open mind as they will be taking recommendations to the OEA. Four members, including McDermott, Kavanaugh, Bowen, and Sween said they agree with the early Wednesdays. Bowen has been heard to say at Board meetings and in other committee meetings that she is in favor of keeping the current calendar for 2 to 3 more years. McDermott sited the complaints about early release and late starts on the calendar as being one of the motivations for change. Muza piped in about frequency being important and how Fridays interfere with sports and other extracurricular activities. I was surprised Weinsheim was so tight lipped as she was one who said 600 signatures in a district of over 10,000 students wasn't significant enough last spring.
Several times the word "predisposed" came up with several board members. They were predisposed to Wednesdays. McDermott stated that it would take a lot to convince him that Wednesdays should be changed. Bowen reassured me that predisposed did not mean "close-minded." Though she thinks the calendar may need to be "tweaked," changing to Fridays was not tweaking, it is changing and they do not want to "change" anything.
A couple of parents said Wednesdays were not a problem for them, the lack of communication, loss of instruction, and lack of preparation by the district were the problems. No one said the calendar was a good idea. No one spoke and said, "this was great, you guys did wonderfully, atta boy." There were a lot of recommendations for Fridays and less frequency. There were also suggestions of alternative plans. The survey revealed 64 responses: 60% (38) expressed problems with Wednesdays and/or recommended Fridays; 26% (17) had no problem with Wednesdays and had children over the age of 12; 14% (9) had no problems with Wednesdays and had children under 12. One couple, both teachers in this district, expressed issues about picking up their kids early and the cost of care. They aren't the only teachers I have heard form with similar concerns.
One comment from Wayne Traska struck a chord with me. He said he talked to members of OEA and they were willing to negotiate if they were paid for the time. Schneider pointed out that we can't afford to pay more. I wonder, several board members stated in the past that OEA was not interested in alternative plans. Of course none could say tonight what the alternatives were that were presented to OEA. I wonder if OEA is more receptive to ideas for the calendar than the current board has made out. I wonder if a list of detailed alternatives were discussed, could a better received consensus be met? I wonder if it isn't OEA's rigidity that is the problem, but the two members of the Board representing us in negotiations. I hope anyone in OEA who reads this could answer that.
This isn't a matter of to have or not have collaboration. I believe, as do most parents, that collaboration is a great idea. I wonder if there is another day and/or time collaboration can be accomplished. That is all I am asking is if this is the ONLY way. The board claims they took alternative plans to the OEA but were shot down.
Over all I think the "survey" was marketing propaganda to sell collaboration. No one disputes that collaboration is beneficial. It seems that there is this continuing wedge driven between OEA and the parents as though to not like Wednesdays early release is to not like collaboration. That is where better communication comes in, I think. The forum tonight seemed more like a token effort at better communication. "See. See. We're communicating. We are predisposed to our ideas only, but we are communicating." Last spring nearly a dozen people spoke against the calendar and over 500 signatures were presented on a petition. This year nearly a dozen people spoke against the calendar. Last year one person spoke in favor of the calendar, none spoke tonight. 60% of parents on the survey have problems with Wednesdays. Majority seems to have no bearing with current board members. I don't see the survey or this forum as having any weight on the five board members who keep ignoring the concerns of the people who voted for them in the first place. Maybe we just need to shout louder. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!!
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 11:08 AM MST
If someone indicated we should pay for more collaberation, I wonder if they even understand the issues, much less someone who is running for School Board? There is talk of cutting a VIP ? program that deals with teen pregnancies and mentoring students that need additional service. The community should pay more for what? Staff already earn on average over 50,000 per year I am told. With benefits, what is it total? My sister is a teacher and believe me, we shouldn't have to pay more.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 12:56 PM MST
The early release issue boils down to this: Some parents use the school system for their childcare. The early release on some Wednesdays interferes with some parents' work schedules. I say, tough.
Your first responsibility when you have a family is to your children. I am not about the debate the merits of early release, but if the school system has decided that early releases will occur on Wednesdays, then you as a parent have the responsibility to adjust your schedule to make it work for your kids. It's really that simple.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:04 PM MST
Anonymous, 12:56.
You are thick. What about the change in bell schedule on those days? dont you see that as an interuption with the students attention and learning?
Do you think taht the parents can just say "tough" to their boss and leave early 2 or 3 times a month? I am guessing that you don't work or you have an understanding employer. I have been able to make adjustments, but there are those who cannot. there are some parents out there that work 2 jobs just to make ends meet and now you want to pile more on. You need to think about more than yourself.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:13 PM MST
No, schools are not daycare centers. Families do not use schools as child care centers. Families who need to work to pay the bills and feed the children they are responsible for, work during school hours to cut down on expenses so they can take care of their children.
However, schools are for teaching students. Cutting the calendar doesn't help them. Every year the district has to apply to the state for a waiver because we are below the recommended days of instruction. The Board said we are getting time back, but they are also calling early releases full days of school. There is a reason the state recommends 180 days and not 177 or 175. We are short changing education. And why is it the parents always have to make accomodations for the benefit of the kids. Why can't the teachers make accomodations since collaboration benefits them and the kids?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:16 PM MST
It is called the teachers union. As long as Doyle is in office the teachers union will keep calling the shots when it comes to education in our state. Sad but true.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:18 PM MST
Maybe we should get someone on the board with a backbone to stand up to the union and some of the board members for that matter.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 11:54 AM MST
Where is the proof fewer minutes is "short-changing" education? Are test scores going down?
School Calendar
Authored by: DBCooper on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:03 PM MST
An equally valid question would be:
"With increased "collaboration", are test scores going UP"???
Where or what is the management plan to ensure that what is being put into place, "collaboration", is actually working? This is what is truly lacking at both the school board and administration level. They are constantly trying something new, generally speaking at increased cost, but when does the effectivity get measured?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:12 PM MST
Research across the country says yes, scores go up when teachers collaborate. Too early to tell in Oshkosh you need 3 years of data to determine trends.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 01:10 PM MST
Research also shows that results are invalidated by increasing variables. Before we even see results on collaboration (which we have been doing for two years now), we are restructuring Middle and high schools. A year from now we will be going to block scheduling if the board continues on the current line. With three new programs back to back, how will we know what is working and what isn't. And in the mean time, the students suffer because there is no continuity. Our greatest concern should be the students. Has anyone figured in the cost of reversing damage?
Thanks For Reading.
Michelle Monte
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 19 2006 @ 07:27 AM MST
Where is the research that shows minutes of instruction is what matters most? At least those in favor of collaboration, restructuring have shown research for thier side.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 19 2006 @ 07:57 AM MST
I really can't believe that anyone could doubt that more face to face instruction does not benefit kids. Where is the research from the district that Wednesdays are the best day for collaboration?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 19 2006 @ 08:35 AM MST
There isn't any, Wed. are simply more convenient for the administration and teachers. That is what they said during the meeting. Nobody is willing to entertain a different idea.
By the way, I don't think that anyone is disputing the collaboration time, just when and how it is done. I dont like taking away constructive face to face time for it, that is something that can be done after a normal school day. If the teachers want it so bad, they can do it then.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, February 19 2006 @ 10:11 PM MST
Some people don't "like" Wed. well that's the way it goes. You can't always have it your way. Personally I like the fact that my children can get their homework done before supper and since there are no activities on Wed. evening we can have family time with homework out of the way. I don't think the board should make decisions to keep 15 people happy. Just like the boundary issues of the past, people get upset, come to the board meeting and say "don't change my boundary" so the board does nothing...I guess that's what we have to look forward to with some of these candidates running who don't like the calendar. All it will take to keep things as they are will be to get 15 people to come to a few meetings saying don't change anything and the board will cave again. Don't expect something different, it seems pretty clear it is govern by listening to whoever shouts loudest.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 06:45 AM MST
When did the board listen to anything the public had to say.
Besides, I have said from the beginning that Wed are fine. I don't believe in early release. It is too much of a disruption. If you don't believe me, since you have so much time on your hands, go to school and take a look for yourself what happens on a shortened day.
I went to an early release school and those days were difficult to manage although the kids did like getting out of school early.
Maybe this should be a referendum question? One that would make a difference and eliminate all of this bickering.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 01:06 PM MST
Why do you think there have been no major boundary changes since 1998, no reconfiguration of school, no school closings??? Because people got mad, filled the board room or Tipler gym and the board backed down. If that isn't listening what is it? Same thing happened when it was proposed to end the Elementary Strings program, Tipler gym was filled up, people spoke to save the program and it wasn't cut, if that's not listening what is it???
15 people is NOT a ground swell, it isn't a majority, it is a small but loud group, that's all.
School Calendar
Authored by: L Schaffer on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 08:39 PM MST
Why would parents try to change the minds of the school board, the school board mind is already made up, even if another plan is better. Our elected board members are going to do whatever they want, just as long as they do not upset the teachers and if you upset the teachers, they might become clockwatchers. What needs to be done is to start getting rid of the people on this school board that are closed mined and will not listen, you start doing that maybe just maybe the rest will start to listen for fear of being voted off the board.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21 2006 @ 09:48 AM MST
Go back and read the post about boundary lines and budget cuts, you will see that when people are upset about something EVEN IF they think the board has made up their mind, they come out in DROVES and the board has not made the changes... check out the past minutes... they are all at the library.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 01:49 PM MST
In the larger picture, the issue is less about the calendar than the fact that the Administration has done a lousy job sharing what's been accomplished with collaboration thus far. Likewise, the Board has done a lousy job holding Administration accountable for doing so. We can all get past the fact that the calendar is what it is, but the fact that the communication stinks, and the Board doesn't seem to even suggest to Administration to make an effort to communicate what's happening is still troublesome. I would think the district would be falling over itself to show everyone how much gain is being made during this collaboration time. Here's a feather in their cap, why don't they flaunt it?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 03:38 PM MST
As has been said repeatedly at meetings, it will take 3 to 4 years to have definitive proof right now there isn't any data because test results are not in yet. Research shows this works elsewhere. Many schools have printed information in their newsletter about collaboration and there have been several updates at board meetings about how collaboration time is being used. You can't expect a personal phone call.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 05:58 PM MST
Again, how will we know if collaboration is working once restructuring is implemented? And how will we know collaboration and restructuring are working once block scheduling is implemented? Too many variables spoils the pot. If something goes drastically wrong, how will we know what did it and how long will it take to recover? Are we really willing to take such a large gamble? Why can't we stick with one thing at a time and see if it works before dumping more on our kids?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, February 20 2006 @ 06:06 PM MST
What makes you think in the information age, the factory schedule of 7 periods a day is the best thing. I want the best reseach has to offer, NONE of these things are new to education, just new to OSHKOSH.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 22 2006 @ 09:18 AM MST
Where's the reasearch on Wednesdays?
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 01:28 PM MST
i get really sick of administrators from the district throwing the term "research" around. a magazine article is research to them. they should be called on it every single time they use the word. research implies statistically significance. i will guarantee they have none on collaboration, 4 year kindergarten, all day kindergarten, sage, nor everyday math. i know because i have tried to find some.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Michelle Monte on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:50 PM MST
The whole calendar issue has been distorted. The argument isn't for or against collaboration. The argument is about cutting instructional time from the calendar. Last year a good chunk of time was cut from the calendar. This year a small amount was added back. There are no plans to add any more back in the future. In addition, it is my understanding, that block scheduling will cut more time from the high school schedule.
Another part of the argument is about not communicating with families. That is still a big problem.
The day of the week is a pain no matter which you choose. Some parents think that if teachers want to collaborate, they should do it on their time, not our children's. Most of us would be willing to compromise and accept the early releases if they were on a day that makes more sense to the majority of local employers and family schedules. Even with a compromise, we still want the instructional time back. We are well below the state recommended minimums for days AND hour. I am thinking the state has a recommended minimum for a reason, and we are doing our children a disservice by seeing how low we can go.
In addition, the board keeps blaming the teachers' union for not being more flexible and the OEA blames the BOE for not budging. It is hard to know what to believe when neither is communicating with the public beyond the excuse that the calendar is a negotiated contract item.
---
Thanks for reading.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 03:00 PM MST
I don't think the district can be below the minimum number of minutes, that is why it is a minimum. I think the district is just slightly above the minimum number of minutes.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 03:04 PM MST
Oops, I meant minimum number of hours not min. sorry...
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 04:44 PM MST
We are below the MINIMUM RECOMMENDED HOURS AND DAYS.there is no legal minimum.i think you are confused by what she was saying.even the board acknowleges they are bwleo the minimum recommended time.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 07:31 PM MST
Yes there is a legal minimum number of hours, the recommendation is for 180 days which can be waived but the "Annually schedule at least 437 hours of direct pupil instruction in kindergarten, at least 1,050 hours of direct pupil instruction in grades 1 through 6 and at least 1,137 hours of direct pupil instruction in grades 7 to 12. Scheduled hours under this subdivision include recess and time for pupils to transfer between classes but do not include the lunch period." this is the REQUIRED minimum under the law.
School Calendar and Research
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 07:36 PM MST
arent we one hour above the legal minimum?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 01:41 PM MST
show me the statistically significant research. good luck!
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 01:40 PM MST
tell me where i can find ANY statistically significant research that shows this works. i'll be waiting.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:07 PM MST
Research! Isn't this just the new term we throw out instead of the word STATISTICS which everyone is now skeptical of? Our kids aren't rats and our schools aren't mazes so what kind of reasearch could REALLY be done to show results of something that is just one small factor in the overall education scenario. Even if we find postitve RESULTS in the level of eductaion the next few years I'm not sure that it can be directly traced to collaboration.
Don't get me wrong, I'm for collaboration and for having it on Wednesdays. The old way where our teachers only had time designated to collaborate twice a year was absurd. The following point was made to me by an OASD administrator... "the old way of doing things had each teacher as an "independant contractor" They were given benchmarks the students had to reach and then they "closed their classroom doors" and how they went about teaching was their own decision. The new model is to have more consistency from teachers, on what and how they teach. And to let teachers who may have had success in on area share it with other teachers. to do this they must have time to collaborate."
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:17 PM MST
That someone was Wayne Traska. He said that he talked to OEA members who said they would change things if they were paid more.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 01:31 PM MST
I think what Mr. Traska said was that the OEA presented options to the Board that wouldn't interrupt student's or parents schedule, but those options were only available if the teachers were paid more.
I didn't get the impression that he was urging the Board to spend money, but asked if those options were even considered....i.e. were all options discussed and debated in an effort to reach a palatable result for all parties vs. slamming the door.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 03:13 PM MST
Several people asked and the Board claimed they did present several ideas but wouldn't say what. I wonder what really happened. The two members of the board on the bargaining committee (Kavanaugh and McDermott) are "predisposed" to Wednesdays.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, February 16 2006 @ 03:45 PM MST
If they feel Wednesday is the appropriate day then that is the way it is. We do not have enough support to get it changed. My suggestion would be to replace the 2 board members you speak of. Until then accept defeat. While I support you, we lost this round.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:00 PM MST
So you replace the board members with new members who will do whatever 10-15 people come to a meeting and tell them to do? Or will it only take one person coming multiple times? That's a scary way to run a school district. What happens if the union doesn't agree? Will you then not have a calendar by Sept. then what? What is the plan then. So much for making vacation plans if you don't even know what the calendar is in August. Could happen under the "stand up to the union" plan.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:03 PM MST
Maybe the risk of not having a calendar would be an incentive to making reasonable compromises and getting the issue settled.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, February 18 2006 @ 12:04 PM MST
Oh, I bet you have a lot more than 15 parents mad if you don't have a calendar by Sept... but hey why not give it a try and see how that comes out.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 21 2006 @ 09:52 AM MST
One of the two board members you speak of was re-elected last year (highest vote getter too) in the middle of this calendar issue that supposedly the majority of people didn't like. Then why was Mr. McDermott overwhelmingly re-elected when he voted for this calendar. Maybe it just isn't the BIG issue to everyone you seem to think it is.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, March 02 2006 @ 07:40 AM MST
Because he is fence sitter and the other options were ridiculous
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 22 2006 @ 09:13 AM MST
Given the election results can we finally put the calendar issue to rest?
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, February 22 2006 @ 11:54 AM MST
Just because you disagree on 1 issue with members of the board does not mean you will not vote for them. This was not a referendum on early release. So to answer your question, no.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:06 PM MST
too many people use the term "research". a magazine article is research to many of them. they should be called on it every single time they use the word. research implies statistical significance. i will guarantee they have none on collaboration, 4 year kindergarten, all day kindergarten, sage, nor everyday math. i know because i have tried to find some. and yes asge is included in that read research- even read Mollnar's work. he admits it in between the lines fashion.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:34 PM MST
Why don't you read the Project Star report (this is the reseach the SAGE program was founded on) from Tennessee regarding class size where they randomly assigned students to one of 3 situations:
1) 22-25 students with one teacher
2) 22-25 students and one teacher and one aide
3) 13-17 students with one teacher
The students were followed through high school and those in the smaller classes in grades K-3 were found to:
outperform students in larger classes (22-25 pupils) in both reading and math on the Stanford Achievement Test for elementary students. The second phase of the STAR research found that even after returning to larger classes in grade 4, STAR’s small class students continued to outperform their peers who had been in larger class sizes.
The research further found:
Students placed in small class sizes in grades K-3 had better high school graduation rates, higher grade point averages, and were more inclined to pursue higher education.
There is a lot more but that is significant research that smaller classes do make a difference.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 02:58 PM MST
i have done more that read the star report- i studied it. there was no statistically significant improvement for small classes with one very tiny exception- poor black boys showed very minor improvement.
there were many flaws with the star report. the star people would not release their data for others to study.
other studies seemed to show other factors much more improtant than class size. reread it and reread molnars closely.
there is no meaningful statistical significance. NONE.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 03:12 PM MST
You are confusing the STAR report with the SAGE report (they are two different reports) and you are completely WRONG as it relates to STAR --- just Google Project STAR and Tennessee... you will find the report, a summary etc.
Frederick Mosteller, Professor Emeritus of Mathematical Statistics at Harvard University called it (Project STAR)
"one of the most important educational investigations
ever carried out and illustrates the kind and magnitude of research needed in the field of education to strengthen schools"
So I guess I'll take the word of a Harvard Mathematical Statistics professor over an anonymous poster who doesn't know one study from the other.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 28 2006 @ 08:36 PM MST
Wednesdays were picked because there is the least amount of conflicts with other after-school activities. As far as collaboration goes, every company I've ever seen knows they have to put time in the weekly schedule for meetings even though it DIRECTLY takes away from their employees productive time. Imagine if your employer said you needed to stay late and "unpaid" for your weekly staff meeting. If you want to see results of collaboration, ask a parent who has a kindergartener this year about the wonderful new report cards that were devised this year BECAUSE of collaberation.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, February 28 2006 @ 10:09 PM MST
Every company I know has there employees work 12 months out of the year!!!!
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 09:22 AM MST
Well thats a tried and true argument usually rolled out when ever any issue about teachers comes up but it really has NO relevance to this argument. The kindergarten report cards were just ONE example of things that have come out of collaboration. At this point I think anyone who is against the early realease Wednesdays because they feel inconvienieced by it will look for any reason to bash collaboration.
Personally I think that there is ALOT more wrong with the school schedule than releasing 45 minutes early twice a month, like why is it still based on an agrarian economy yearly schedule or a daily schedule that assumes that one parent does not work? Maybe we should be talking about a year round school calendar with an 9-10 hour school day to better reflect the schedule of most parents these days. But how would we ever be able to begn to discuss something like that when a change as minor as the early release Wednesdays meets with such anger?
School Calendar
Authored by: Jim B. on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 09:27 AM MST
School schedules should not be dictated by parents schedules! I sure don't want my children in school for 9-10 hours a day. A lot of adults don't have that long of a day, how could you expect children to handle it. I am for year round school, but I don't think you have to increase the days hours. I have lived in places that they 8 weeks on and 2-4 weeks off depending on the time of year.
Jim B.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 09:55 AM MST
The one bad thing about the written word is that sarcsm is often hard to perceive. While I do think that it is time to "redo" the school schedule to better reflect our modern day lifestyles, I was over exagerating that shcool should be all year long and 9-10 hours a day. That is called DAY CARE and I feel it is what many parents want who are complaining about the early release times.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 03:43 PM MST
the issue several had regarding the calendar wasn't as much the "what" as it was the "how". They didn't put a thought into how it would be implemented, tossed it out like it was no big deal, and then were left scrambling to find ways to plug the holes. Not a very effective or efficient way to do something, let along create a sense of trust.
School Calendar
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, March 01 2006 @ 06:41 PM MST
I agree that last year the OASD Admin. and the Board blew it when it came to setting the schedule and changing the early release to more frequesnt Wednesdays. It was "shoved down parents throats" without seeking deedback and that is wrong. But I think the justification for doing it on Wednesdays and more frequently is sound. Now that it's been a year, I think it should be kept as it is to see if it will provide results. Yes, the results may be hard to measure but I think we need to have a bit of trust in our educators to decide if its working. I think to only look at this as a mater of how many minutes our children are in class now is shortsighted as one of the goals of collaberation is to make those minutes more productive.
School Calendar
Authored by: L Schaffer on Tuesday, February 28 2006 @ 10:24 PM MST
Is that all that has come out of collaberation, new report card, what a waste of time and money. Collaberation should be held during the last few weeks of August, just before school starts so you have more time to talk instead of maybe 4 hours a month.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 7:03 AM
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