poor florida children

[PanAmMIA]

PanAm,
Why do you think that isn't fair?

Eric

Because despite the weather, the kids should still be entitled to the education to which they're entitled. If that means the school year has to be extended a little bit to take into account all of the closings, that's what should happen. The Dade County system closed many times when I was going through it, and we always made up the days
Mike

[StormMag]

Everybody needs to remember that it's the parents responsibility to make this situation as unstressful on the kids as possible. They look to you for a sense of well being & security. Be there for them!

I agree, but we have the reality of TV and the classroom chatter to contend with. Not to mention the youth sporting events. You want to be as open and realistic with your children and also very comforting and reassuring. Bottom line, if you as a parent are stressed, even if you are attempting to be strong, the children do sense. Just very hard times..for all!! Keep the faith..

[Ixolib]

Kids must have changed since my day... I used to love these things as a kid. Cookouts every night, flashlights, cool stuff to look at, chain saws, electric trucks, water trucks, meals from the Red Cross, family and neighbor togetherness, and just the whole new look to the old neighborhood. Not to mention - no school on a weekday! I just found the whole episode pretty exciting after a storm would come through here. But, that was a long time ago..... Funny thing is, I believe all those experiences helped me cope better with life as an adult. Trials and tribulations make all of us stronger in one way or another.

[sfwx]

PanAm,
Thanks for the reply. I would like to see them make up the days before the FCAT. The pressure placed on the students and us to get them ready for this test, is incredible. (I don't want to get off topic about the FCAT, we can discuss that AFTER hurricane season) Losing these days is going to be very difficult for all involved. I wonder if we shouldn't go to school during part of Christmas break, spring break or on Saturday's?

Eric

[Stormy1]

PanAm, the number of days attended in school mean nothing against the life lessons these poor kids are going through.
They are learning plenty, trust me. They are neither being short changed nor given a break.

If standardized testing weren't such an issue, this whole 180 days thing wouldn't even be questioned. With the tragedy and destruction in the scale that the past 2 hurricanes alone have brought to the state of FL and with the possible impact of Ivan, the best thing to do is give these kids whatever time off they need. Yes, the test scores "may" suffer a bit but If we weren't made to "teach for test" it would again not be an issue.

I'm a teacher (could you guess?) and even I can agree with breaking the rules this time.

[PanAmMIA]

Yes, the test scores "may" suffer a bit but If we weren't made to "teach for test" it would again not be an issue.

I'm a teacher (could you guess?) and even I can agree with breaking the rules this time.

I could give a rats behind about the test scores. I think it's ridiculous that educators are forced to teach their students only what's needed to pass a test, but that's another topic completely. I would suspect the kids will make it through this tragedy as well as we did in the mid to late 60's and early 70's.
Mike

[Stormy1]

Then would you please explain why not having the kids make up the missed time is unfair?

[PanAmMIA]

Then would you please explain why not having the kids make up the missed time is unfair?

School is socialization time if nothing else. It also allows kids to share experiences within their peer group, and allows mental health professionals "group" time to help them if they need it. I could very well be mistaken but doesn't the Florida Constitution set a number of mandatory school days for kids?
Mike

[Bellarose]

My 2 1/2 year old, now wakes up crying for me, saying "the storm is back". I'm seriously thinking about moving back to RI....

[Ixolib]

My 2 1/2 year old, now wakes up crying for me, saying "the storm is back". I'm seriously thinking about moving back to RI....

Interesting... I'm seriously considering moving to SWFL. That is paradise if ever there was!! And anyway, there's only 81 more days left in the '04 hurricane season.

[Stormy1]

The issue is not worth arguing. 180 days or 160 days or even 130 days the kids will be fine. Right now, socialization is the least of their concerns. They need their families now and will for a while. As for "group" time, that only makes it easier for the councilors, not the kids. I did grief counseling for 10 years with school kids and although it was easier for me to have a group, the phone calls I got at night and the home visits told me that grief en masse is not the best way to go.

As for the Constitution…there are times that rules can be bent for the good of the people. Rules are bent every day for ridiculous reasons. If the kids in FL don’t count for one of the rare exceptions, then we are a cold an uncaring bunch of a$$h*les.

I'm just not seeing a valid argument here.