Anonymous wrote:We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

You need to talk to your principal and the staff at the after care about that. I'd rather have a messy classroom and kids safe than kids going home alone at a very early age.

American kids are ignorant compared to kids around the world. Ten hour days is probably exactly what they need.

We already have a free after school program at my Title One school. They rotate classrooms that they use. I hate when they use mine because the aftercare teachers aren't usually actual teachers. They are more like babysitters. They don't pay much attention to the students and the kids end up ruining a lot of my stuff (books, school supplies, etc). My room is almost always messy when I come in the next morning so I have to spend a good 15 minutes cleaning and putting things back where they belong. It isn't just my classroom that is a mess.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So who exactly would be providing the care for the students? Who are these "community partners"? So at 3:30 every single day, there will be a second shift of staff to come through the doors to oversee these activities?

Would the teachers be kicked out of their classrooms in order for the "second shift" to be held? What supplies would they use? The ones already in the school (which are largely purchased by teachers)? So it's basically free aftercare?

So many questions. And I'm sure there will be very few answers.

You sound like you don't have kids. This is already happening in many schools.

Don't you realize that most kids already go to after care somewhere? They leave school and are bussed to church basements, Boys and girls clubs, YMCAs, or they just go home and play video games alone. Adn this isn't just disadvantaged kids, or kids with"unstable homes." Most families have two parents working full time jobs; only 18% of fmailies have a non-workign parent at home. So, this is a nearly universal need.

I'm actually an elementary school teacher whose own kids attend before and after care. I'm confused as to how the questions in my post confused you. The proposed 10 hour school days doesn't mean that kids would be bussed to church basements, boys & girls clubs, YMCAs or their own homes. They would stay in school. The aftercare at my school is capped at 60 kids and is held in the cafeteria only. My school has over 600 students. They can't all fit in the cafeteria. Hence why I asked the questions I asked.

Anonymous wrote:So who exactly would be providing the care for the students? Who are these "community partners"? So at 3:30 every single day, there will be a second shift of staff to come through the doors to oversee these activities?

Would the teachers be kicked out of their classrooms in order for the "second shift" to be held? What supplies would they use? The ones already in the school (which are largely purchased by teachers)? So it's basically free aftercare?

So many questions. And I'm sure there will be very few answers.

This happens every day in our APS school. It's called extended day and they use the gym, cafeteria, music room, playground and a few other designated spots. Every school I have worked in has a similar setup but I understand so schools do not.

Anonymous wrote:

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.)

Oh, come on, drama teacher. If your principal announced universal aftercare at your school, with a licensed provider approved by and on contract with your school district, I'm so sure you'd say "not my classroom!" In any case, they'll most likely be using the gym, playground, cafeteria, library, or whatever common areas your building has.

Anonymous wrote:So who exactly would be providing the care for the students? Who are these "community partners"? So at 3:30 every single day, there will be a second shift of staff to come through the doors to oversee these activities?

Would the teachers be kicked out of their classrooms in order for the "second shift" to be held? What supplies would they use? The ones already in the school (which are largely purchased by teachers)? So it's basically free aftercare?

So many questions. And I'm sure there will be very few answers.

You sound like you don't have kids. This is already happening in many schools.

Don't you realize that most kids already go to after care somewhere? They leave school and are bussed to church basements, Boys and girls clubs, YMCAs, or they just go home and play video games alone. Adn this isn't just disadvantaged kids, or kids with"unstable homes." Most families have two parents working full time jobs; only 18% of fmailies have a non-workign parent at home. So, this is a nearly universal need.

Not education , daycare

I work in a high FARMS school. The majority of students have at least one adult in the home that stays home and doesn't work. Sometimes it's mom, sometimes it's dad, sometimes it's an older sibling, sometimes it's a grandma or grandpa or another member of the extended family. Sometimes the working parent works at night and the only time they get to see their child is the time between when the child gets home from school and the parent needs to go to work. Very few families at my school work 9-5 jobs. This is something that is really not aimed at low income families. As it is typical in education, the people making the decisions know jack sh*t about the realities of schools.

Anonymous wrote:

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.)

Teachers have a max amount of hours they can work? Wish I had a max cap.

So who exactly would be providing the care for the students? Who are these "community partners"? So at 3:30 every single day, there will be a second shift of staff to come through the doors to oversee these activities?

Would the teachers be kicked out of their classrooms in order for the "second shift" to be held? What supplies would they use? The ones already in the school (which are largely purchased by teachers)? So it's basically free aftercare?

So many questions. And I'm sure there will be very few answers.

When you read DCUM posts, many people always lament about poor volunteering options. Imagine if all those legions of disappointed
volunteers could help local schools in the after-care programs of that nature? It would be just great opportunity! And would save tax
money.

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yes! That is what is done in many countries! It is doable! Buildings are already there!

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

And as long as it is open for those who need it but those who don't won't be required to stay beyond a normal 6 hour school day.

If it is about helping disadvantaged families and keeping kids safe within enriching and safe environment then absolutely YES!
Keeping schools open for low income kids who could stay and be safe is fantastic idea. As long as it is not across the board
just extending school day for every kid as many kids do not need an aftercare and they have stable homes to go back to.
It should focus on kids in need but it could and should be available for everyone on as needed basis.

It would be great if many charities channel into it providing free meals and creative programs to make no kid goes home hungry.