The number of hours and days in school has been a hot topic this semester. Most schools are trying to add hours or days to their school year but many find this difficult due to funds. This is no different for public schools in Chicago. According to an article from The New York Times, Chicago schools have the lowest number of school hours in the country. Obama’s administration is urging a change and the $4 billion dollars of education money is enough motivation to make changes but Chicago’s Public Schools currently have no money to do so. It would cost their 417,000 students $208 million to attend school longer than the current 5 hours and 8 minutes (from what I understand some schools only attend 4 days a week as well). I was shocked to read that these students only attend school for about 5 hours. From my knowledge most ND students are in school about 7 hours and charter schools in Chicago also attend school for about 7 hours.
I’m sure you as educators can all agree that Chicago Public Schools need to find some kind of solution so their students can receive more education. In negotiations teachers were willing to extend the school day as long as they were paid and of course that is where the high amount of funds is needed. I don’t have the answer but Chicago parents are trying to help out. Parents at one school are trying to pull together to raise $100,000 by fundraising to put towards the cause of longer school days. That would be about $385 per students which is a lot to ask for saying many of these students are coming from low income homes. I really commend these parents although it is a drastic amount of money and I’m not sure it is parent’s responsibility to find these dollars. What do you think?
I know when we fundraise parents usually complain and say they would rather just write a check rather than do another kind of fundraiser. Currently, we fundraise once a year and it buys new playground equipment but this year some of us teachers would like to have the money buy guided reading books for primary grades and other elementary grades if there are extra funds. We all do guided reading but are using a website that allows you to print black and white books. The site costs money and currently our PTO funds that but overall the books get boring and I think it would make a big difference if we have a nice guided reading library. I was so excited about this idea but now find myself a little torn because I think the schools should be taking a little more responsibility with these money issues. I don’t know if I think it is fair that our PTO is paying for our current books. These books are a part of our curriculum so why isn’t the school footing the bill? What are your thoughts on this as a teacher or parent? Our district has great parent involvement so our parents would probably never make a big deal about this but is this right?
Why restructure? Does it really do anything?
15 years ago
It's great that your district has such wonderful, involved parents. Fundraising is a touchy area when it's being utilized often throughout a school year. Parents are getting worn out by it and young kids shouldn't have to do it alone. I didn't realize that Chicago had such short school days. It's a little over the top for parents having to foot the bill even if they are excited to do it. I give them a lot of credit to be doing this. I feel it's completely up to our federal government to step in and take over where it's definitely needed. News concerning our educational system just seems to be more negative instead of positive...I hope that changes real soon.
ReplyDeleteFundraising has become touchy at our school because we just went to school wide fundraising. I am usually in charge of all fundraising prizes and I know that fundraising is necessary at our school ot buy necessary equipment that title I money cannot buy. Our parents are supportive but we have a wall og giving for those who would rather send a check rather than deal with cookie dough or chocolate. We are a low income school therefore what our money si spent on is never questioned because we need the money for school supplies. I think parents should support the school in anyway needed. Playground equipment is nice but student reading materials sounds a whole lot more important.
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If I remember the article right, the Chicago parents wanted a longer than mandated day at a charter school? That , I feel that is their decision. The books however should be the schools responsibility. I've nagged about it before, but I am trying my best to pinch every penny at school. I photocopy just what I need, reuse anything I can. Realisticly, I've probably saved $50.00 so far this year. But you could buy 5 new books with that.
ReplyDeleteI would say at this point get the books however you can, PTO, budget, ask for a donation from a local store.
I think if parents want to get involved in their child's education and raise money that is great. It is not the school asking the parents to fundraise; the parents are doing it on their own. My school currently can only do one fundraiser a year and we raise a lot of money from this fundraiser every time we do it. Our PTA is in charge and the money goes towards bettering the school and the educational tools of the children. This year the money went towards the purchase of a rock wall for our gym. Now, would I have spent the money on books for our guided reading library? Probably. But I also think getting kids motivated about exercising is great too. I think your school should be in charge of paying for new books for your guided reading library. If they are not going to provide books, then you cannot teach it. One thing you could look into is writing a grant to get money to promote literacy. A teacher at my school did it and was able to get hundreds of dollars worth of books for our guided reading library. Good luck!
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