Getting out of school the first week of June and not returning until after Labor Day. That was the life. Riding our bikes to the park, going up the hill in Franke Park to see 6 or 8 animals that were native to NE Indiana in small cages on a path (Later to become the Children’s Zoo). Playing games, climbing trees, selling lemonade on Sherman Street with neighborhood friends so we could all walk to the Dairy Queen on Lima Road at the end of the week and eat lunch, those were the days. Summer vacation was a full three months long and could be because all of our mothers were home all day. They didn’t work outside of the home.
But this is a different era. The reality is that most mothers do work outside of the home. Summer child care is a problem. Many children spend the summer in the care of older siblings, some as young as 10-12 years old. Others are shipped off to relatives. And some, sadly, are simply left to fend for themselves. This happens even more in urban school districts like FWCS.
Laws mandating year round school may never pass, but it seems that we are getting it in increments. Summer vacation still starts the first week of June, but it ends in the middle of August. Indiana State law mandates 180 instructional days per school year. Snow days have to be made up, extending the school year. IEP’s for special education students in FWCS now ask, is extended school year recommended. There are remedial programs that begin in June to reinforce what the students have learned and others that begin in July to prepare students for the coming school year. With these programs, many students in the district now attend school year round. We may never have legislation mandating year round school, but I believe it is coming in increments.
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So Mike, are you for or against year round school? I agree with your points for it: no remediation necessary (especially for special education) and daycare for students. Personally, I enjoy summer. But, I only work 1 and 1/2 days and able to be home with my children. I went on four trips this summer. With year round school, I would have to vacation when everyone else does (spring break week, summer break week, Christmas break week) and that makes traveling busier. I vote for summers off, but as you eluded, it might be coming...Laura
Since you didn't seem to notice how I waxed nostalgic, definitely against.
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