School district 22 is thinking of extending spring break by 5 days. As a parent of two children, I appose this notion. I am self-employed, and I have a flexible schedule. But another 5 days out of school would mean either an additional week off work or the need to pay to put the kids into a long week camp, or daycare. Either way, the cost to my family would be at least $300 after tax dollars.
While I can handle it, I’m truly concerned about those parents who don’t have flexible schedules and can’t take the time off. That means that they are forced to put their kids into care. For families with more than two kids, this can add up. Sometimes daycare is really difficult to find too.
What about the working poor, or those who are barely making ends meet each month? It’s an extra burden. For those people who don’t have an extra support system, I am concerned. Many people don’t have family close by to help out. Or what about single moms who are already struggling?
I am already concerned with the number of Professional development days and holidays that the children have. They are out of school a lot and this adds up to a lot of missed days of work.
There has to be other alternatives.
I definitely appose the extension of Spring break. I look forward to your comments and feedback.
Review School District 22's proposal here.Download SD22_Proposed_Calendar0910
Here is a media release the board of trustee sent in April about cost savings. Download SD22_Press_Release_Apr909
Those are great points too!
Posted by: Courtenay Pitcher | 03/13/2010 at 07:56 PM
Apart from your stated concerns, what concerns me is that kids in Japan--and other countries--go to school 6 days a week.
And then we wonder why our kids can't quite make the University entrance standards!
And teachers vehemently resist performance "standard testing".
The fact that the union gets away should be of great concern to parents and government.
Posted by: Barb Mitchell | 03/13/2010 at 08:53 AM