Bell Schedule Discussion Continues

Michelle Hazlett May 21, 2012 at 08:16 pm

Keep everything the same and figure it out. This just didn't all of a sudden happen. You closed schools and moved kids....Did you think that Leary kids were going to WALK to Willow Dale?? Obviously some people were not using their brains when it came to making decisions!!!!!!!

Patti McGorrey May 21, 2012 at 08:24 pm

This is a done deal already. The "expert" that the school board had look into the problem only recommends that the times be changed. The other options that were presented were "not recommended". Then, if you look at the School Board agenda for their meeting tomorrow night, Item F is for the School Board to "Approve the proposed adjustments for the elementary schools' start and end times beginning in Sept. 2012." Do you really think we have a chance? They will do what they want and leave the parents and students of the district to "adjust".

(Davis) Southampton Mom May 21, 2012 at 09:29 pm

I was just wondering why all the options still have the extra 30 minutes added. I'm beginning to think it's not about the buses entirely, but how to work the extra 30 minutes into the school day. Wonder if I can pull my kids out of school everyday at 3:15? That's an awfully long day for a child to go to school. And you're right PMc, it is a done deal!! Maybe they want to see which schedule will get the least opposition. Maybe the non-public can wait around 30 minutes after school for a bus instead of the public school children having to do that.

Disgusted May 22, 2012 at 11:26 am

I attended the meeting last night and it was a COMPLETE JOKE. The Board refuses to represent the wishes of the people. First off they are selling their older buses at auction when they are crying the need buses!!!!! One of the parents made it clear that even with a paid consultant group no one noitced the redistricting is not the most effective way to divide up the area. Students litterally passing each other going to opposite sides of town, when the other Elementry School is clearly closer. In addition since they never had the room to store the buses (I guess all the parking lots owned by the schools arent good enough) they dont even want the additional buses. Wayne also stated it would be difficult to get drivers. Sounds like Wayne doesnt want more buses or more drivers or more responsibility. I think we need a new Transportation Supervisor.
I think all these Board Members need to be VOTED OUT!!!!

JustAnotherParent May 22, 2012 at 04:03 pm

When you make a decision as significant as consolidating schools, you need to look at all of the factors, not just those directly related to the physical school. Obviously this was not the case or a discussion of bell schedules and transportation would not be happening now. What other factors related to a school consolidation were not considered?
WIth any project of this magnitude the school board should be scrutinized to an extreme. In certain private companies, owners, CEOs, partners, are held personally and financially responsible for errors. Maybe a school board should be held to this type of standard. At some point elected officials need to be held accountable for their actions and not lean on the taxpayers to fund their mistakes. Adjusting the bell schedule will fail, and buses will be purchased by the district which means another increase in taxes to compensate for this egregious error, because the board is out of touch with the community.

Lou May 22, 2012 at 11:08 pm

Can someone explain to me why parents have a problem with their kids being in school for 30 more minutes? Maybe our test scores will go up!
Is there something I'm missing? If you are worried that it's a long day, your child will adjust.

Emily Cohen May 23, 2012 at 01:39 am

My husband and I had the same reaction while watching tonight's meeting on tv. Parents were complaining about the most ridiculous things, like karate and baseball games. Another rhetorical question posed by a parent was something along the lines of "when does my child get to be a child" or have a childhood. My husband and I, almost simultaneously, said "on the weekend!" The bottom line is that the parents need to act like adults, accept change, and move on. Teaching your child to fight because you don't get your way is not a proper lesson, in my humble opinion. School and homework come first, activities are second. And as far as these children "walking home in the dark," that likely won't happen. The whole idea behind staggered start and end times is to be able to use more busses at the same time, thereby reducing the length of the bus ride for the kids. I am tired of hearing some parents complain about how their children will have to do homework after dinner and will not have time to "be a kid." Wait until middle school and high school, when the homework increases exponentially and they are doing work until bedtime and on the weekends. I am comfortable knowing that my children are receiving an excellent education, supported by teachers and administrators who care.

Mclaine's Mother May 23, 2012 at 02:16 am

Dear Sean and ESC, its about the late start that only effects some and not all of the schools equally. It's about the lack of insight to get more transportation when you decrease the amount of walkers. Oh and yes I believe the liie 6 and 7 year olds should not be doing home work at night. They are in first and second grade you moroons. You obviously have no little kids and have no life if you have time to read and comment about things that dont concern you. Things will get harder when they get older, but it shouldnt happen in first grade!!!

Emily Cohen May 23, 2012 at 02:33 am

With all due respect, Mclaine's Mother, I know what the issue is. The district is actually providing more transportation without incurring additional direct and indirect costs of additional busses. You cannot begin to know how old my children are (and yes, one of my children is young), and no, I am not a "moroon." Nor am I a moron. This directly impacts me and my family, as my younger son would be at one of the schools with a later start time, if approved. You shouldn't make assumptions about anyone's situation simply based upon a comment. I read all of these articles (as well as the comments) because it impacts me directly as a parent of children in these schools, and also as an educated taxpayer in this district.

Lou May 23, 2012 at 03:21 am

So... McClaine's mom, you are saying because I have time to read about something going on in my community and comment on it, I must not have children? Well, does that mean you don't have children, since you are on here?
I most certainly do have children, one who graduated from Tennent last year, and a younger child in middle school. I am an experienced mom who made it a point to teach my children that life doesn't always work out the way they want, that sometimes you have to adjust to change, and that it's rude to call people names on message boards. Most people would love for their children to get an extra 2 1/2 hours of instruction per week. Look at how much time is wasted everyday. Our children go to school fewer hours than in most other countries, and our test scores show the result of that. Is a half an hour really going to mean that a first grader will be doing homework all night? I don't remember that much homework in the lower grades, and there was NEVER any homework on the weekends. I wish people would stop complaining about the closing of the elementary schools. It's a done deal. Stop bellyaching about it. I loved our elementary school, I was there for 11 years straight. I cried when it closed. But it's gone now. And if I were a new parent moving into the district, I'd be thrilled that my child would be going to a state of the art, brand spanking new school. Time to move on.

Tired of Hypocrisy May 23, 2012 at 03:41 am

For some, the adjusted schedule affects their job hours. Perhaps it does not bother some but with the economy the way it is, it is difficult to find another job. Therefore; some parents will incur more out of pocket expenses for babysitters for the hour change. Perhaps before some begin to point fingers, they should stop and think. If it affected your family perhaps you would have more sympathy towards those that it does.
As an aside, taxes will increase regardless of what the bus schedules/start times are. The CSB is out of control or rather not in control. They allow the Administration to run them instead of vice-versa or working together. Once the taxes are out of control I am sure some will be eating their words. This CSB has a history that is inclined to do whatever they want along with the Administration.

Pamela May 23, 2012 at 12:41 pm

Actually your child's test score probally won't go up. It is a known fact that as the day wears on their learning retention drops. For younger children they learn more in the early hours than later in the day and it is opposite for high school age children. Also colleges no longer want to see your "good grades", they want to see a well balanced child with activities OUTSIDE of school. These show that the child is well adjusted, gets along with others, is a team player, and is not one sided. Unfortunately some in this district missed the fact that we don't have enough buses right now. This is the reason for the time change. Not because our Board members care about your children and their education. OLGC is going to require additional buses in the near future and we have to buy more buses for them. What are you going to say when they have to push our children back to a 930-1000 start and they don't get home until 5pm because our buses are lent out to everyone else and we can't change their schedules? We have to spend the money anyway, so why not just do it now and avoid the upset?

Pamela May 23, 2012 at 12:51 pm

first it is not about 30 min extra of school. It is about getting out at 345 and being bused during rush hour traffic, especially during the winter months and getting home after dark. Second it is about the extra expenses such as teachers salaries, bus driver pay, gas,(all during rush hour), utilities, maintenance on vehicles and facilities for that extra time. Do you see those dollar signs ringing up????? I know I did, but obviously the district pulled the blinds on some people and conned you with "extra teaching time". Did you hear we have to buy buses for OLGC, but we can't afford to buy them for our kids?? DId you hear their argument starting for next years' tax INCREASE..I am so glad you think 30 minutes is worth another TAX INCREASE!

MW May 23, 2012 at 05:14 pm

I was one of those parents last night at the meeting asking when my child gets to childhood. I am so glad that you feel the weekend is enough for them, but to me that is not. These are 5, 6, 7 year old children. They are not adults who need to have responsibilities. They are children. They need to have free time, play time, just plain down time. And if you ask those kids, baseball/playtime is not ridiculous. And yes, walking home in the dark will happen. It already takes kids 40 minutes to get home from Willow Dale. Add that to a 3:45 end time and rush hour traffic, do the math. The last time I checked it's dark by 4:15, 4:30 around here during the late fall/winter months. Would you want your 5 or 6 year old walking home in the dark? I doubt it, so why is it okay that mine does? Sorry everyone thinks we are complaining/bellyaching, but I will FIGHT for my child when it comes to something that is going to affect them negatively. If you choose not to, than that is up to you. I won't judge you for that, so don't dare judge me or any other parent who is out their fighting against something that could have, sorry, should have been figured out 3 years ago. I believe that everyone at that meeting did act like adults last night and no we do not have to accept change. That's why we live in a democratic country. It's not a proper lesson when you roll over and don't fight for what you believe in. I believe I am teaching my children to not put up with people walking all over you.

Emily Cohen May 23, 2012 at 05:49 pm

I am also a concerned parent, willing to intelligently and respectfully discuss the issues at hand. I use research, logic, and respect when replying. I have young children, and we strive to achieve the proper balance between school responsibilities and extracurricular activities. I have had 3 children go through Centennial elementary schools; one is still in Stackpole and will be transferred to Davis next year. The homework time averages around 30 minutes total in K-2. That includes the suggested reading time of 15 minutes, which we always completed at bedtime. I researched the sunset time on December 21, 2012, for the 18966 zip code. It will occur at 4:38 pm. With dismissal at 3:45 pm, the children will be at the bus stop well in advance of that sunset time. The district is essentially fitting in more transportation without the purchase or rental of additional buses. This is accomplished by completing the runs from one school early (with the early dismissal) and the others at the later time. I am highly offended that people resort to name-calling and personal attacks; take a deep breath and speak logically and calmly. I have spoken with all but 1 board member, as well as Dr. Cressman, Mr. Gretton, and Mr. Robinson. Each took the time to answer all of my questions and discuss points rationally. Also (and I may be wrong): rush hour typically starts at 5 (as in the time when most work days conclude), not at 3:45.

MW May 23, 2012 at 06:10 pm

This is in response to Sean's ignorant comment. Nowhere in my comment did I attack anyone or disrepect anyone, so please do not speak to me that way. Nor did I say that I would allow my 6 year old to walk home dark or not. I do get off my ass to pick him up, so unless you know the facts, shut your mouth. Nor did I sit on my ass when I saw an injustice being done to these children. So if you have no one attending these schools that are being affected, mind your own business. If you are affected by it, then atleast have the decency to speak to people as you would want to be spoken too.

MW May 23, 2012 at 06:31 pm

Maybe you need to take a page from the Quaker's considering your child attends a "friends" school and not be so hostile to people. Kind of ironic, don't you think? I am not being dramatic, I am simply looking out for my child's best interest. If you find that dramatic, well then that is your opinion. That's fine that my argument doesn't make sense to you, but it does to many other parents who have the same opinion as mine. You can be embarrassed for me, that's fine, although I find that a little dramatic considering you don't even know me and have never spoken to me. And the earliest sunset is 4:35 in December, so it is not slim that it will be dark before some children are dropped off at their busstops. I am not out here to fight anyone and have people attack me because they don't agree with my opinion. So you can continue attacking people or you could actually try to understand where we are coming from. To each his own.

MW May 23, 2012 at 06:48 pm

Again, your opinion. Atleast when the final decision is made, I know I stood up for my child and what I believe in. Whether 1 or 1000 people cared.

Tired of Hypocrisy May 23, 2012 at 08:06 pm

Perhaps 'Rush Hour' begins at 5pm in Southampton but certainly not in Warminster.Most of the businesses & factories in the Louis Park Industrial area let out at 3:30 thus causing major traffic.I travel daily from Davisville & Street Road to Valley & Street Road. During normal hours I can make the commute in 10-12 minutes, after 3:30pm it takes me a full 30 minutes or more. Adding more school buses into the mix will certainly cause more conjestion.
I do hope that every time a bus is late, the parents call the district and transportation center and complain. Keep a record of it since we were all assured that no child would be home later than 30 minutes after dismissal. Hopefully someone will still be in the offices at 4:30-5:00 to take the call. As for the phases of sunset, how lovely that 5 & 6 year old children will be getting off the bus 5-10 minutes before it is dark out & with the changes in bus stops, some stops are 5-10 minutes from the child's home. 1st graders will walk home in dark, makes sense to me.Gives them at least a few minutes to play outside before they must go in the house. Physical playtime is much better than the children that sit & play their video games. Childhood obesity is a focal point in this Country, except in Centennial's district. Get your children off the bus and in the house they go, that's that. What a shame, but of course, if it does not affect your children, why would you care? Just as many will not care when it does affect your child.