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Post by Chris_Wendt on Feb 19, 2013 6:20:29 GMT -5
Wantagh is one of only fifteen (15) among 124 LI school districts that will be holding classes all week long this week. Congratulations to the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools for demonstrating by their actions that Wantagh has its educational priorities priority[/u] straight. Read all about it on Newsday (hyperlink)Chris Wendt |
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Post by rr on Feb 19, 2013 11:11:54 GMT -5
Chris - I agree that the right decision was made about school this week but let's not get crazy with congratulating the administration just yet. Doesn't state law require the kids go to school a certain amount of days a year if they want to to receive funding? So it wasn't necessarily some radical decision that really impacts the kids - either we make up the missed days now or we add them on at the back end of the year...right?
Just as an FYI - I know from speaking to my kids that there were several children not in their respective classes yesterday...its a tough spot when people plan and pay for a vacation in advance of an expected holiday and then that week gets taken away to make up missed days. At the same time, if you tack the days on the end of the year you'll likely have the same issues with absence and you'll probably have alot of 'movie-watching' that week.
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Feb 19, 2013 12:48:35 GMT -5
No argument, rr.
Adding days at the end of the year would have been very unproductive, likely with massive absenteeism, which could negatively affect Wantagh's (or any district's) state aid. The finals and regents are scheduled right up to the end of the school year, and after that, I could not imagine what meaningful learning could possibly take place in almost any classroom.
Some districts split the make-up days, which, in my opinion, was an open invitation for parents to pull their kids out for vacation instead of going to school. Sure, I understand the predicament for some parents, but, teachers with travel plans all had to cancel them and negotiate refunds or reschedule.
Listening to a small group of Merrick parents recently, there was nothing but contempt for their school administrators who dared to think they would interrupt their travel plans. It was anarchy, open rebellion. I guess the concept and meaning of the words in the phrase "compulsory attendance law" have been lost, at least over in Merrick.
Thinking back, SED or at least Nassau BOCES on behalf of the Commissioner should have immediately issued one common policy dictum for all Nassau (or all LI) school districts, to hold classes all week this week. Instead we had official inaction bordering on paralysis, and thus a crazy quilt patchwork of schedules for the Sandy make up days resulted. Oh, and did I mention anarchy and open rebellion?
Education, time on task, attendance in class...those opportunities should be revered as sacrosanct, especially by parents. Maybe even by kids aspiring to the appellation, "student" or "scholar".
Chris Wendt
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