Letters and Comments for June 11, 2009

Letters and Comments for June 11, 2009

Four-day school week shouldn’t be

discounted so fast

To the Editor:

After reading the article discounting the four-day week as a viable alternative, I was only certain of one thing: Someone is really stretching to discount the four-day school week. It is true that nutrition and safety concerns should be addressed. Disturbingly, the article almost suggested that schools are free daycares for parents. Is that really the basis of how we’ll make decisions regarding our children’s education?

How are cutting teachers (and thus having larger classroom sizes) better for the children? This is what will happen in order to cut costs on our five-day week, right? It’s already difficult for teachers to meet the needs of each child without crowding the classroom more.

Also, how would cutting extra-curriculars help with school spirit and support? For many it’s the motivation kids need to stay in school and keep their grades up. For some, it’s even a gateway into college. You would really take that away before considering a four-day week? If these are moot points, great! Show me — with some research, please.

What I heard when I read the article was that changing to a four-day school week would be a headache that any superintendent would dread heading up. Is any worthwhile change easy or without some pain? The question is how can we use what we have most efficiently in a way that serves the students best. Parents would be wise to talk to parents of students who are on a four-day week. We should be looking at their budgets, their savings and the pros and cons that those school districts are experiencing. Parents who feel strongly about this argument one way or another should do a little research of their own. The four-day school week deserves a hard look before it’s dismissed.

Olivia Westenskow

La Grande