Kamala Harris & 10-hour school days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be done for the benefit of the parents and not the children. Let's be honest about that at least.

It benefits those who need it. You can pick your kids up at 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be done for the benefit of the parents and not the children. Let's be honest about that at least.

Depends on what the kids are doing now. If they are latchkey or not in safe care, then aftercare benefits them. And I agree with PP that benefitting parents is good for the kids too.

Of course, we could also just make the work day shorter, I'd be fine with that too.

[Anonymous]

With compressed work weeks and telecommuting at an all time high, is there really a demand for this? Maybe a few counties here and there, but overall?

I feel like there are bigger fish to fry. Why not tackle international policy instead? Put forth an environmental initiative? Find a way to reach across the aisle (gasp!).

All these candidates with these weak (and distracting) "ideas" are just beating behind the bush of real world problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With compressed work weeks and telecommuting at an all time high, is there really a demand for this? Maybe a few counties here and there, but overall?

I feel like there are bigger fish to fry. Why not tackle international policy instead? Put forth an environmental initiative? Find a way to reach across the aisle (gasp!).

All these candidates with these weak (and distracting) "ideas" are just beating behind the bush of real world problems.

The families who stand to benefit from this are not the kind with telecommuting jobs or compressed work schedules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With compressed work weeks and telecommuting at an all time high, is there really a demand for this? Maybe a few counties here and there, but overall?

I feel like there are bigger fish to fry. Why not tackle international policy instead? Put forth an environmental initiative? Find a way to reach across the aisle (gasp!).

All these candidates with these weak (and distracting) "ideas" are just beating behind the bush of real world problems.

Compressed work weeks don't help you pick up your kid from school on the daily, and the vast majority of people do not have white collar jobs such that teleworking is an option. Your concept of "real world problems" is pathetic. Childcare, healthcare, education, and other domestic issues are exactly what people need help with right now.

Also, nobody thinks reaching across the aisle is a worthwhile goal anymore. I wouldn't vote for someone who said that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand the perpetual flip-out of "school isn't daycare". True enough, however there is the reality that most people work 9-5 or some variation on business hours. The school day doesn't take that into account at all so... why not take a more practical approach and try to fix the issue.

What? Are we afraid to make things a little easier?

Easier for who? My classroom won't be available for hosting before or after care with some random daycare worker because I have personally purchased 90% of what is in it. There would be no place to lock up every single thing and even if there were, it isn't feasible. And, no, I am not willing to work additional hours for $10-12 an hour. (I am not willing to work additional hours for my current rate of pay either because I'm already putting in the max amount of hours I am able to work, either.)

[Anonymous]

So many kids have no one waiting for them at home

[Anonymous]

I’m conservative and love this. So much money wasted elsewhere. I’d rather pay for this than most other things. Aftercare is pricey!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With compressed work weeks and telecommuting at an all time high, is there really a demand for this? Maybe a few counties here and there, but overall?

I feel like there are bigger fish to fry. Why not tackle international policy instead? Put forth an environmental initiative? Find a way to reach across the aisle (gasp!).

All these candidates with these weak (and distracting) "ideas" are just beating behind the bush of real world problems.

Telecommuting is only a thing for a tiny slice of America. Many more people work shifts and have schedules that change from week to week, making childcare difficult to arrange and too expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Before and after care will cost less overall if you use the already existing school building for it, and don't need to transport the kids anywhere.

+1 Unfortunately most of the low-income families at my school need an extended set of hours even longer than 6 to 6 or 7 to 7 because their parents are working a lot of the undesirable late-evening or early morning shifts. This is a big issue and imo there won't be a one-size-fits-all solution. Subsidized childcare for parents is a good idea worth exploring though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can see how this would make a lot of sense for all the reasons listed by PPs. However, I worry that it will create a negative feeling toward school for some kids, especially those who would spend long hours there and don't already have a strong, happy attitude toward school. [/quote

How so? School itself would be the same. The kids who go to after care would just stay and have it at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With compressed work weeks and telecommuting at an all time high, is there really a demand for this? Maybe a few counties here and there, but overall?

I feel like there are bigger fish to fry. Why not tackle international policy instead? Put forth an environmental initiative? Find a way to reach across the aisle (gasp!).

All these candidates with these weak (and distracting) "ideas" are just beating behind the bush of real world problems.

Nice bubble you live in! Your comment reflects such a tiny slice of the U.S.

Retail workers don't telecommute. Police offers and teachers don't telecommute. Construction workers and day laborers don't telecommute. Coal miners don't telecommute. Your barber doesn't telecommute. Your ER doctors and nurses doesn't telecommute. Your pharmacists doesn't telecommute. And so on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Excellent idea.
I work as an slp in a maryland title one high poverty, mostly recent immigrant school.
Our school day starts and ends early because of the bus system (730am-2pm). There is a for-pay aftercare program that only 20ish kids attend out of 800 students! Parents simply cannot pay for it.
I have always said with my colleagues that the kids should stay at school at least a few more hours for homework help, sports, snacks, outside play time etc, even extend the school day for an e training hour and pay teachers.
But there is no funding for it.
Good for kids and parents can stay at work or get a job in the first place.
Coukd be a game changer for my school.

Check out the washington Jesuit school in dc ... they do this.

[Anonymous]

I’ve always wondered why they didn’t do something like this. After school could be games, sports, more recess and homework help. Working parents often can’t do sports because they can’t drive their kids after school.

[Anonymous]

Great idea, as long as the extra time is devoted to sports, play, and non-academic activities (other than homework help).