No more pencils, no more books! No more teachers' dirty looks! That's what kids in more than 100 school districts across 17 states are saying one day earlier now that their schools have moved to four-day school weeks. As the recession continues to grip school districts across the country, creating budget deficits that administrators can't fill fast enough, several districts are opting to educate students an extra hour or two each day over four days (schools take Friday or Monday off), thus cutting electricity, busing and maintenance costs, while maintaining teachers' salaries.
While educators debate the impact of such schedule shifts on tots' educations, working parents now have to scramble to find child care options for their lil ones on their day off from school. Some parents argue that the day off from school can be used to complete doctor's appointments and extracurricular activities. But moms who hold full-time jobs in addition to their duties at home not only have to find a responsible person or place to watch their child – they have to pay for it too.
Would a four-day school week work into your schedule?
Giorgio Fedon
Buffalo
Mango
Oh my goodness, I would cry tears of pure happiness for a four-day school week! That would be PERFECT! My work week is four days, Monday through Thursday, so I would be thrilled. Then my daughter could go to her dad's house on weekends and still have four days with me and three with him.
1A 4 day school weeks would completely SUCK for us! We have 3 kids under 7 years, and I rely on my husbands help on the weekends so that I can have a "break". Be it just the time to get some chores done without the interuptions that come with the kids or going for groceries alone. Unfortunately for us, my husbands work week is 5-6 days. When he has a 6 day week, the extra day of me on my own with the kids and actually having all 3 of them home full time that days can be tough. There are far more fights to breakup, more chores to do while trying to give attention to 3 kids, and even more functions to attend with 3 kids in tow. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but it is the hardest job ever and I really do appreciate every minute of help I get from my husband!
2I love the idea of a shorter week, but since I'm not a fan of budget cuts in the nation's school system — I'm against it. My daughter goes to an all day private kindergarten and is excited about learning because she isn't rushed. How will kids learn the same stuff in a shorter amount of time without them being stressed?
3I don't mind the 4 day week as much as I mind the longer days to make up for it. I just don't see that being even remotely conveinent for families where both parents work. They already have to work around drop off and pick ups if neither has a job that is very cooperative, now they have to worry about another day of childcare? As crass as it sounds, daycare is incredibly expensive, and people are hardly making ends meet as it is.
I also don't like the thought of keeping kids in school for an extra 2 hours. Isn't the day already 6 hours, so now they'll be there 8 hours? WAY too long for little kids to be kept in a classroom, especially since lunch and recess have been shortened.
4As a 2nd grade teacher, I can attest that kids at young ages are DONE by 2/3:00. I cannot imagine them being alert and engaged enough at 4/5 pm. We'd have to allow for an extra recess, snack and rest/quiet time which would take away from teaching time. Its hard enough fitting my curriculum into a 5 day week!
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