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Back-to-school sales already? Classes starting too soon, some say
Some can't believe how soon the new year starts
Kathleen Durkin-Mirabella was shopping for shoes with her three young daughters on a steamy mid-July day that in another era would have been spent searching for sandals or beach clogs.
Instead, the Frankfort mom perused back-to-school styles as her girls prepare for classes on Aug. 20.
"It's just way too early," said Durkin-Mirabella, a teacher, as she pushed a cart at a Target store in Tinley Park. "It's like we've barely had a summer."
Educators, under pressure to boost academic performance and prepare students for standardized tests, have pushed for mid-August start dates, wreaking havoc on everything from seasonal businesses to family vacations.
Proponents say an early start provides numerous academic benefits, in some cases allowing students to finish up final exams before Christmas break. A majority of Illinois schools start in the last two weeks of August, according to the State Board of Education.
But the shifting summer break—and the inevitable cramped schedules—has created a nationwide backlash.
A grass-roots movement called Save Our Summers has gained momentum in recent years, and six states—Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota and Virginia—have passed laws that say classes can begin no earlier than Sept. 1. State Board of Education officials say they are unaware of any similar legislation in Illinois.
Sherry Sturner, from the Florida chapter of Save Our Summers, said snipping away at summer leaves no time for families to get together. "There is a whole bunch of stuff kids need to learn in life that is not related to school, from camp to getting to see family," she said.
Like swimming, crafts and roasting hot dogs over a fire. The American Camping Association felt the trend so threatened an American institution that it issued a position paper earlier this year, concluding that "providing these experimental learning opportunities for our youth becomes a challenge when an ever-creeping school calendar" encroaches on summer.
Dan Bertrand, superintendent of Marengo Community High School District 154, 16 miles west of Crystal Lake, said he wants to ensure students complete their first semester before Christmas, and that means starting earlier.
He'd have a mutiny on his hands if he switched to a later date, said Bertrand, whose students will report to class Aug. 13.
The superintendent said he thought it was "ridiculous" for students to go on a long vacation over Christmas and then have to spend a week preparing for exams that should have been administered closer to the time they learned the course material.
"Pretty much everybody likes it except the football coach," Bertrand said of the early start.
Freshmen at Orland Park Consolidated High School District 230 will start school Aug. 15. All other grades are scheduled to show up three days later.
Keith Pain, superintendent of Summit Hill School District 161 in Frankfort, said his district has been starting on or about Aug. 20 for years. The extra week does allow more time to prepare for state tests, but that's not the driving force, he said, adding that parent complaints are few.
The lengthening back-to-school shopping season also contributes to the feeling that summer is getting shorter.
Sears, Roebuck and Co. began rolling out a promotional back-to-school campaign in June with the tag line "Don't just go back. Arrive."
A spokeswoman for the company said the demand begins almost immediately after July 4.
"It seems kind of strange to be doing this in July, but we want to capture the momentum," said Estrellita Garcia, a clerk at the Sears in Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg.
Kmart is now offering sales on backpacks, glue sticks and other must-haves.
Walk into Walgreens and you'll find rows of brightly colored markers, crayons and folders. Same holds true for a Jewel-Osco in Schaumburg.
"The kids hate it," said Ak Patel, assistant store director. "They feel like they just got out of school and now they're having to get new supplies."
School districts say they are responsive to parents' concerns.
McHenry High School District 156 will start a week earlier this year in part to help bring up the test scores of its most underachieving group. However, it had planned to start two weeks earlier. Gina Swinney, assistant superintendent, said school officials pushed back the Aug. 11 start date to Aug. 18 after hearing from parents and teachers.
Some states have taken the decision out of the hands of local educators, creating a new debate about who is best suited to control the academic calendar.
After noticing a drop in hotel occupancy rates, Michigan lawmakers usurped control in 2005, mandating that school could start no earlier than Labor Day.
The shrinking summer hurt tourism, an $18.1 billion industry in a state that is in an economic free fall.
It wasn't just that resorts, restaurants and municipal pools all faced a labor shortage when youths had to return to school at the height of the season.
"It also limited the opportunities for residents to travel and enjoy their own state," said Kirsten Borgstrom, a spokeswoman for Travel Michigan.
Another vacation was definitely how one of the Mirabella girls—Emily, a 4th grader—said she would use extra summer time off if she had it.
"I'd have more friends over," added Sarah, a 6th grader. Meaghan—entering the 1st grade—chimed in with "more lunches and dinners out."
Kenyana Hopkins, a rising 8th grader at Orland Junior High, was more circumspect.
"So much happens during the school year . . . so much stress and drama," she said. "There isn't enough time to renew yourself. . . . But I guess we have to be ready for high school."
Here is the argument:
Ms. Teacher: (me)
The CPS school I teach at adopted Track E, which still has the same number of days but splits up the vacation time for the students. It is considered year-round, but students get out in June at the same time as other schools. The only difference is,they begin in August, have 2 weeks off in October, receive an extra week off during the winter break, and have 2 weeks off for Spring Break instead of 1. As an educator, the knowledge retention has more of a chance for success if the time away from school is shorter. This is our first year with it and I am excited. I hope it is a success for the students.
Mr. Slappy: (Him)
Whatever track CPS schools roll down doesn't matter. CPS students will still end up at the "F Station." TOM SLICK is a perfect example of another CPS failure. If you want to teach something try putting in a gun range in each school. Then maybe the "little darlings" could hit what they are shooting at in the hood.The CPS school I teach at adopted Track E, which still has the same number of days but splits up the vacation time for the students.
Ms. Teacher:
Wow, so much for compassion or belief in the human race in general. I work, as you say, "in the hood". One thing I do know, children are children, where ever they may live. They all need the same things, love, safety, and mental stimulation. Shame on you for stereotyping. I would gladly take, "my little darlings" to the close mindedness of you.
Whatever track CPS schools roll down doesn't matter. CPS students will still end up at the "F Station." TOM SLICK is a perfect example of another CPS failure. If you want to teach something try putting in a gun range in each school. Then maybe the "little darlings" could hit what they are shooting at in the hood.
No system is perfect. No PERSON is perfect. What the focus should be on is what is best for the next generation of American leaders, namely, these little darlings.
Mr. Slappy:
With a dropout rate of almost half you aren't even close to mediocre. Maybe if taxpayers didn't have to contribute so much to your pension, benefits and inflated salary for a part-time job we could "focus" the money on the student.No system is perfect. No PERSON is perfect. What the focus should be on is what is best for the next generation of American leaders, namely, these little darlings.
Ms. Teacher:
Looking at your district I now see where you are coming from. a diverse population that is 78% white, 100% of your teachers are white, and the average salary for your teachers is a shocking $15K above CPS.(From your districts figures). And, yes, I am white.
With a dropout rate of almost half you aren't even close to mediocre. Maybe if taxpayers didn't have to contribute so much to your pension, benefits and inflated salary for a part-time job we could "focus" the money on the student.
Yes we teacher have so much money to burn. Tell that to my 30K in loans to become a teacher, that I am still paying off. As for the part-time crack, you obviously have NO idea what goes into teaching. We may only be PAID to be in the school for 6 1/2 hours but the average day is FAR from over when the students leave the building. Between developing lesson plans and grading papers, that 6 1/5 hour day is more like a 10 hour day.
We do it because we love it. I can't believe you seriously believe what you say. Or else you have no idea what it takes to become and be a teacher. You should leave teaching to the professionals, since you obviously have no idea what a teacher does.
Life in the city is FAR different than the cocoon of the suburbs. Be care when casting stones, some of us are not as cushioned as others. If a high school drop out, or student on the edge of dropping out, can get a GED and go on to getting a university degree, my job is SO worth it. Trying to make a difference in a students' life is not something to put down.
This got me SO mad! I'll update if Mr. Slappy needs another slap.
5 comments:
Oh my god, I laugh when people call us teachers (or former teachers, in my case) "part-time!" Lesson plans write themselves, right? What other job, other than high-paid management jobs, assume you'll be there at least an hour before your scheduled time and an hour after? Not even to mention meetings, in-services, etc.
But in the end, it's not even about the time. Those pussies who disparage us and our work wouldn't last an hour with the kids we work with, even in the good districts. If two teenaged kids were walking down the sidewalk toward them, they'd cross the street. We walk into a classroom of 30-45 of what they fear and teach them. Mr. Slappy can suck my left nut.
Sorry, I've got to add to that.
A 50% dropout rate, yeah. These kids walk through a gauntlet of gangs, drug sales, etc to get to school. They come from families that are either involved in those activities or completely oblivious to them. Then they go through the normal teenage shit-- kneejerk defiance, anger, hormones, etc. All this in a country that disparages intellect to begin with. It's a wonder that we're able to keep 50% of them in school in the places like the place you and I taught.
I'm curious what the other 22% are in Mr. Lillywhite's district are. Mostly asian? So in his diverse district, the smart kids who get beat up for being smart are mostly asian?
But hey, you're living the high life, aren't you, with that inflated salary and pension, in your rented two-bedroom apartment? And that used car you drive 15 miles across the city to work?
I'm sure Mr. Lillywhite will enjoy voting for that maverick McCain.
Nice post..! Well, I think it’s a perfect time for back to school.
Johnny Yen- Of course the remaining minority in his district was 2.2 Latino and 19,8 Asian. Read the continued post, it gets better.
The drive is 30 miles each way for me to that rented 2 bedroom in the sky.
I didn't even mention the fact that the salary that is paid over breaks is money they take out throughout the year. We get additional vacation days that I will never use.
It was becoming a pointless argument. It is unfair to argue with a half wit.
Thanks Annabeth. I was at school yesterday and couldn't believe how much I missed it. One of my favorite teachers at my school was there. She and I always pretend to argue like kids. She told me, "I know you missed me." I replied, "I missed you so much I had to pick a fight with someone on the internet."
My classroom will be perfect when the kids come back. I spent 3 hours setting up yesterday and probably have another 10 to go. They moved me to a new classroom this year. Lots of work to be done.
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