One thing parents really love at a private school I know is that the kids can stay there until 6. They get homework done, have study groups, get tutoring, hang out with friends, have snacks, do clubs, sports, and just play.

It's a good model for kids and parents.

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

isnt something that benefits the parents also benefiting the kids?

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

The bigger issue for many of these families is affordable child care. Many may be leaving the kids home alone after school as they cannot afford care. Or, the area pays out a ton in child care vouchers so it would be cheaper/easier to provide free care at school.

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?

Aftercare is free at my Title 1 school, and can be subsidized for low income families at other schools. So we already have this. It's great to not have the expense of aftercare, and to have a safe place for students to be after school. We have tutoring and feed students dinner.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/education/kamala-harris-longer-school-day-plan-20191107.html%3foutputType=amp
Keep schools open 10 hours a day? Kamala Harris wants to align student and work schedules.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris has proposed a 10-hour day for students to align school with work schedules — a pitch she says is intended to ease the burden on working parents.

The Californian’s plan, introduced Wednesday, would extend the day — though not necessarily classes — in 500 schools nationwide by awarding five-year grants of up to $5 million to elementary schools with a large share of low-income students.

And we think we have issues NOW recruiting & retaining teachers? She's an idiot.

I can think of a few teachers at my current school who would much rather work a few extra hours in the same building over having to find outside tutoring, bartending or babysitting jobs

It’s called aftercare. Bfd

Anonymous wrote:Keeping them open is not necessarily providing education during those ten hours but a safe place for kids when parents work. For low income schools, its not a bad idea. I doubt they'd have teachers working 10 hours and they'd just do before/after school care.

School is NOT daycare. These will be free services provided to kids whose parents are working. Eventually, the money will run out. And then what do we expect to do with her grand initiative?

Under Harris’ plan, schools would work with community partners to develop academic, athletic, or enrichment opportunities for students from “at least” 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Instead of closing for parent-teacher conferences or professional development, schools would be required to provide activities for students.

Keeping them open is not necessarily providing education during those ten hours but a safe place for kids when parents work. For low income schools, its not a bad idea. I doubt they'd have teachers working 10 hours and they'd just do before/after school care.

Our school is open 11 hours per day when you factor in extended day

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.inquirer.com/education/kamala-harris-longer-school-day-plan-20191107.html%3foutputType=amp
Keep schools open 10 hours a day? Kamala Harris wants to align student and work schedules.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris has proposed a 10-hour day for students to align school with work schedules — a pitch she says is intended to ease the burden on working parents.

The Californian’s plan, introduced Wednesday, would extend the day — though not necessarily classes — in 500 schools nationwide by awarding five-year grants of up to $5 million to elementary schools with a large share of low-income students.

And we think we have issues NOW recruiting & retaining teachers? She's an idiot.