Late School Start

Reader is not happy with change

I would have to disagree with the “late school start” for the 2010-2011 school year. How will this work for working parents? I cannot afford a day-care expense for my two children, so my 6 year old is dropped off at his school to attend their 21st Century program at 7:30 a.m., so I can get to work on time. The 21st Century program is a great benefit to students who needing help with their homework and reading. It also benefits working parents. Currently, school starts around 8:45 a.m.. My schedule for work is 7:45 a.m., to 5 p.m. Assuming the elementary school my son attends will continue with their 21st Century program next year … you mean to tell me that my son will be in school for a total of 2 and 1/2 hours before his class starts? That is ridiculous!

Also, I have a child in middle school and next year will be his last year. Right now his lunch period is scheduled for 30-45 minutes at 10:30 a.m. He picks up his younger brother, my 6 year old, after school everyday, again due to a day-care expenses I cannot afford. So his lunch will now be 15-30 minutes? That is wrong!

I know teachers need more time to “collaborate,” but isn’t that already given to them when students are not in school due to “Record Keeping Day” and early release days? Students will be robbed of their time and education. How does this change benefit our children? Some children are put into portable “classrooms” because the school has expanded it’s capacity. Now their education time is going to be reduced, and put their parents in a difficult bind. If my children have to be robbed of their education time by our local school district, I’d rather quit my job and home-school them!

Christina Baye

Moses Lake