School hours to change; middle and high schools to start earlier, elementary schools later

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Wednesday, May 2. 2012

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Barrow middle and high school students will start class earlier next year while elementary student will begin their day later. In a 7-1 vote Tuesday night, the Barrow County Board of Education approved the changes in school start times. Starting in August, middle and high school students will begin classes at 7:20 a.m. and end at 2:50 p.m. Elementary school students will start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Currently, elementary students begin at 7:45 a.m. and middle and high school students begin at 8:20 a.m.

Students who attend the College and Career Preparatory Academy, Performance Learning Center and Alternative School will begin classes at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.

Middle and high school certified and classified personnel are expected to arrive at school between 6:45-7 a.m. and will be out between 3:45-4 p.m. For elementary school staff, that time is 7-7:30 a.m. to 4-4:30 p.m.

For the full story, see the May 2 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 10:49 AM [Reply]

This just allows more time in the afternoon for the kids to roam and get in trouble while their parents work.

#2 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 11:05 AM [Reply]

What about the 2012-13 school calendar? Was it cut to 160 days?

#2.1 anon on 05/02/12 at 11:13 AM [Reply]

Yes.

#3 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 11:14 AM [Reply]

160 days?

Where was the open forum by the BOE to allow residents/parents to voice their opinions?

More underhanded manuevers by the BOE and Creel.

Time to vote the BOE members out this next election and send a clear message.

#4 A Working Mother on 05/02/12 at 11:22 AM [Reply]

Saw this on my lunch break.

I just don't know how I'm gonna absorb the increased childcare costs for my two kids.

Money is already tight and the extra hours I get in the summer helps to pay for my kids new clothes needed for the new school year.

And I hear they are going to raise the school portion of my property taxes as well.

Whoever is running our school system sure is making things hard on everyone.

#4.1 Boohooo on 05/04/12 at 05:48 AM [Reply]

You are proof that the school system is nothing but a babysitting service. You should have thought about the cost of raising a child before you had them. Instead of getting them new clothes EVERY school year, go to Goodwill. I bet you have a television in every room with cable tv, the internet, and cell phones for everyone, including a land line. Get rid of the luxuries or stop complaining about having to ACTUALLY be responsible for RAISING your kids.

#5 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 11:22 AM [Reply]

Nope - no tax increase

#5.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 11:28 AM [Reply]

There is another article that says they are running a $9 million deficit for next year. How long do you think that can go on before they have no choice? School tax is most certainly going up. It just a matter of when.

#5.1.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 11:34 AM [Reply]

$5 million deficit. Not $9 million.

But your right, the school taxes in our property tax bill will have to increase to keep up with the overspending going on.

#6 Upset Parent on 05/02/12 at 11:55 AM [Reply]

I have already written my letter in regards to these changes. I can't afford anymore child care cost with this new time change. I already pay after school care. And now I will need to pay before school care as well. I don't see how this decision was made without a meeting for the parents and community.

If you do not agree with these changes I say we flood the Board with letters.

#6.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 01:01 PM [Reply]

I would love to see your letter and exactly what you are complaining about. There is a multi-million dollar budget shortfall-everyone knew changes were going to have to be made somewhere. Schools are intended for educating our children, not babysitting them. Childcare is our responsibility as parents-not the schools.

#7 elena on 05/02/12 at 12:23 PM [Reply]

I 'm from Florida and in Fl the High Schools and Middle Schools starts earlier and get off earlier.It works out great because the big brothers and sister are home earlier to take care if the little ones when they arrive home from school..

#7.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 12:33 PM [Reply]

Not everyone has a big brother or sister in their household to babysit.

#7.1.1 elena on 05/02/12 at 12:41 PM [Reply]

I only have one child too.Just stating how the Florida schools have Elementary starting later.

#8 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 12:36 PM [Reply]

Trying to understand how it will increase child care?if your elementary child gets off at 3:30 then it will be less time to watch then the norm time 2:25..Maybe now you can hire a high schooler to baby sit a couple of hours until parents come home.High schooler baby sitter is cheaper.

#8.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 12:38 PM [Reply]

If you pay for before and after school (which I will have to do) it will cost more. I work full time so therefore I can't get my child to and from school(with this time change) and have to rely on other people to do so. I would rather him do the before and after school program through the school then try and count on a high schooler to pick up my child from Elementary school.

#8.2 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 01:00 PM [Reply]

Come on.....20 days less of school each year

Many people work during the day while their kids are at school.

#8.2.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 01:02 PM [Reply]

Exactly...which will create more cost to find someone to watch our children during these additional days.

#8.2.2 Carolyn Najour on 05/03/12 at 10:14 AM [Reply]

Thank you for thinking about the employees that will lose 20 days of pay and have elementary children. I think I would rather pay a few $$ more for childcare than loose 20 days of pay.

#8.2.2.1 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 04:10 PM [Reply]

no one is losing 20 days of pay Carolyn

#8.3 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 06:10 PM [Reply]

Because now many parents will have to pay for before school care.

#9 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 01:14 PM [Reply]

The BOE should make explain why they did this without allowing the community to voice their opinions. I've read all the negative opinions on the BOE and have been very patient on letting things pan-out to see if it all works out. But it hasn't. In fact, it's worse. It's time for some new ideas in our BOE.

I won't be voting the same person again. They have made a mess of things.

#9.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 01:18 PM [Reply]

When do we get to vote these people out?

#9.2 Seriously??? on 05/04/12 at 05:55 AM [Reply]

You do know they publicize their meetings. Sure there are a ton of negative responses to a newspaper article, but when was the last time any of these people actually attended a meeting....maybe one or two of the posters here. You want a voice and be able to express your concerns.....go to a meeting.

#10 anonymous on 05/02/12 at 01:20 PM [Reply]

With cutting the number of days students attend school by 20 and keeping the number of instruction hours the same, is Barrow County going to meet the requirements set by the federal government?

#10.1 Anon on 05/02/12 at 02:07 PM [Reply]

Elementary school days will increase by 20 minutes to make up for the time.

#10.2 Concerned on 05/04/12 at 10:01 AM [Reply]

Parents need to look around many counties around us are on a 160 school year. Its not like Barrow is the first and those parents made adjustments as will Barrow parents. Wake up people this isn't about me, me, me.
The one thing that is bothering is that the higher up our superintendent who makes well over $220k a year and principals are making $98k up to over $100k, have they had to sacrifice any? I'm not talking about a merely $2000 a year for them, others just had a major life change this week I bet the higher end did not near like the employees on the lower end. WBHS has four principals not sure about Appalachee so I see where some wasteful spending goes. If we cut out so many chiefs like 4 principals at schools maybe we could hire more Indians to help get some of the school scores up and take some pressure off current teachers.

#11 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 03:57 PM [Reply]

Wow. Really? Too many parents today think the education system is only around to act as a federal daycare for your children. None of you have expressed your concern with whether or not your child will receive the education he/she needs. Kids today are over pampered as it is and clearly it comes from all the "what about me" parents out there. Would you prefer the county to raise taxes to pay for the extended year? Either way it's coming out of your pocket. Guess what?! Barrow county is broke, just like all the other counties in the nation. Pop your head up out of your little hole and look around. The board is only doing what they think is best. Even if you vote members of the board out someone else will just take the position and realize what the current members know; there is no money.

#12 Costs? on 05/02/12 at 04:20 PM [Reply]

You should not be having children that you cannot afford to care for. Child care is one of the costs associated with having children and working. Your choice to have the child. Quit complaining that you are losing your free babysitter...

#12.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 05:25 PM [Reply]

I work & my spouse works, we pay for childcare afterschool, because we feel that it is the responsible thing to do (not leaving children home alone). Now thanks to the School Boards last min. decision we will now have an extra two grand or more in childcare expenses! Thats for only 2 children. You see I now have to add on before school care, which was not needed before and now I have 2 extra weeks of summer.
The board should of had more public input before making such a radical change affecting so many people!

#12.1.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 05:50 PM [Reply]

"the board should of"
What you meant to to say was "should HAVE."
I hope you don't help your kids with their homework.
And, if you can't afford the extra two thousand dollars, then you shouldn't HAVE had young'uns.

Whining parents are all alike; you spawn a bunch of brats and then bitch endlessly about how much they cost.

Does the flip side of this LP sound different?

#12.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 06:01 PM [Reply]

Well what a CLASSY reply!

The money is not the biggest issue for me. It will hurt the budget, but not break it. NOT everyone can be or wants to be a stay at home parent.

As far as helping my children with their homework, I do that every night.

By the way if you were so smart you would know that kids are the offspring of goats and children are the offspring of humans. So I truly hope that you are not helping your children with their homework.

I fully agree with the person who posted that the only winners are before school care operators.

#12.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 07:10 PM [Reply]

a young person; especially : child —often used as a generalized reference to one especially younger or less experienced

Try debating the dictionary.

The funny part is, you're crying about spending $2000.
If you send these whelps to college, you'll have a nervous breakdown.

Now try to be big enough to admit that kid is a valid, dictionary-certified noun that can refer to a human child.

#12.1.1.2 you know on 05/03/12 at 10:15 PM [Reply]

your an a$$

#12.1.2 First off on 05/04/12 at 06:03 AM [Reply]

First, how old are your kids? Perhaps you should let them have some independence and take the bus to and from school. It will save you money on your child care cost, since that's your main concern in your posting. At some point in time, you have to turn them over to Darwin.

#12.2 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 05:39 PM [Reply]

WOW! I work full time and so does my wife. I currently have the luxury of taking my children to school EVERYDAY. I do not and will never think of the schools as a free baby sitter. I currently use an off-site after school program to care for my 2 children while we work. So due to the time changes I will no longer be able to take my children to school at all and now have to shell out $200 to $300 per month in before school care expenses, something that I have been able to do myself.

Judging by the traffic on 316 every morning, I would guess that most parents work out of county, many by 8 or 9 am. So these parents will be in the same boat as we are in!

The ONLY winners here are the before school care operators in Barrow County!

#12.3 Frustrated on 05/02/12 at 09:00 PM [Reply]

I have NEVER thought of our schools as free baby sitters. I get my elementary children off to school on the bus or my husband takes them to school on his way to work. They attend school in a county to which I pay tax dollars to. And then I pay for them to attend an After School Program until my husband I can pick them up, after our work day. However with the late start for Elementary age children, who I will not leave home alone...I will have to pay out of pocket to take them somewhere before school. I checked around today and most places that drop off at my elem school is around $50-$75 a week for two children. I am sorry, but its a big deal to shell out an extra $200-300 a month in childcare. I never thought of the schools as babysitters. For many working families, this is a shock to the monthly budget. And if its not to yours...then consider yourself blessed.

#13 Patty on 05/02/12 at 05:43 PM [Reply]

Is it true that high school sports teams, bands, etc. will have to absorb the cost of transportation?

#13.1 Coach on 05/02/12 at 05:59 PM [Reply]

The overall athletic budget has always paid for transportation to sporting events so that will not change as far as we have been told. We have also been told to expect to pay at least 25% of the transportation cost for any field trips that any group plans on taking. I think that is where you will see the most difference.

#14 Bob on 05/02/12 at 06:12 PM [Reply]

Well let's figure this out. We either increase taxes to add back the days, or let it happen like they say, and keep taxes the same.

Mike Buffington has already said that Barrow's schools are one of the most efficiently run schools in the area.

Figure it out.

#14.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 06:29 AM [Reply]

Well Bob...

I don't believe a tax increase is avoidable.

You can't overspend $9 miilion in one year and not have to raise taxes.

#15 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 06:13 PM [Reply]

really feel for kids and the lower on the pole workers etc: busdrivers and lunch room workers

#15.1 business on 05/04/12 at 12:16 PM [Reply]

You are so awesome! I don't suppose I've read through a single thing like that before. So nice to discover someone with unique thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is required on the web, someone with some originality!

#16 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 06:24 PM [Reply]

What will the amount of days of school be that children will be aloud to miss? They are only aloud to miss so many days as it is. I work at a for a pediatrics office and see alot of strep throat. Children have to be on there medicine for 24 hours befor they are aloud to return to school.
We have SEVERAL parents that send there children to school sick because of the amount of days they are aloud to miss. That is one of the reasons so many children get sick.

#16.1 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 07:02 PM [Reply]

allowed
a lot
their

You need more schooling, sweetheart.

#16.2 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 08:37 PM [Reply]

Wow, you must have missed alot of school days due to strep throat since you keep spelling "allowed " aloud..

#17 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 07:12 PM [Reply]

I believe that this is horrible and will have a negative impact on the education of our children.
Children need repetition to learn so lets cut 20 days. We also have many long breaks in the calendar (1 wk in Oct, Nov, March and April; then the 3 wks. in Dec.Jan.)So the children will lose what they have learned and the teachers will spend more time going back over material than teaching new material.
Now keep in mind that children will be kept in school for another 20 min. everyday to make up for the 20 lost days. This brings me back to a professor I had in college who once said "The mind can only absorb what the ass can endure"

#17.1 anon on 05/02/12 at 07:20 PM [Reply]

Exactly. :( These little ones are going to be tired and done by 2:00pm. But they'll still have an hour and a half to go in their day. And the kids who go to before school care will have really long days. That's a tough thing for 5, 6, 7 year olds.

#18 It won't work...BOE clearly didn't put any though into this one. on 05/02/12 at 07:41 PM [Reply]

This plan was not well thought out. First off Middle & high School children currently ride the bus at the same time so how can school hours be the same for them. The bus cannot be in two places at once. Secondly in the afternoon this only gives bus drivers 40 MINUTES to load high school AND middle school, drive there route,(hopefully obeying posted speed limits), safely unload all these kids and safely get them across the street, and make it to the Elementary schools to load those kids. NO WAY that can be done safely in 40 minutes. It will not work. Elementary students will be left standing at school waiting for their bus after the bell. And the BOE will be left looking like fools. Our bus drivers will feel pressured to speed to get these kids unloaded and my bus driver already does 35-40 in my 25mph neighborhood. Guess she will have to increase that to 60mph.

#18.1 Told you!! on 08/16/12 at 11:21 PM [Reply]

I said the new school hours wouldn't work and I was right!!. The BOE is so oblivious...how could they not have foreseen these problems we are all now experiencing? The elementary students are not even getting loaded on the buses until almost 4:00 at some schools....the bell rings at 3:30! What are these kids doing for 30 minutes after the bell? They could be home doing homework unwinding from the day. My kids now come home do homework, eat, shower and go to bed. This is ridiculous and the BOE needs to admit their mistake and fix it! Elementary student should not be getting home from school at 5:00. If need be make high schools and middle schools start 15 minutes earlier and release 15min earlier. If the bell rings at 3:30, the kids should be loaded by 3:35. Admit your failures BOE, fix it and we MIGHT consider re-electing you when your time comes. Barrow citizens are done with the current BOE and superintendent...might as well go out knowing you admitted your failures and fixed them.

#19 Anonymous on 05/02/12 at 07:59 PM [Reply]

Barrow county teachers are here for the students. We will teach to the best of our ability no matter what we are given. It is why the majority of teachers went into the field...to help students achieve.

#19.1 LOL on 05/04/12 at 06:18 AM [Reply]

LOL, LOL, LOL, LMFAO!!!!

OMG, my sides are hurting, that comment is hillarious.

#20 Clarification on 05/02/12 at 08:00 PM [Reply]

The students will only incur an additional 20 minutes per day to make up the lost instructional time of the 20 days, not an hour and a half.

#20.1 anon on 05/02/12 at 08:05 PM [Reply]

No one said that they will have an extra hour and a half... it was simply stated above that the little ones will have a hard time staying alert and focused until 3:30.

#21 LetsBeAdults on 05/02/12 at 09:24 PM [Reply]

Wow! Why do some deem it necessary to be so rude? Look...these changes affect every family differently. For as many as it screws over, it probably helps the same amount. Some families who pay for after school care, now won't have to because they may beat the school bus home. Other families now have to shell out extra money for before care. Some are happy of the changes. Some are upset about the changes. That's life people. No reason to be rude or mean or try and make families who are doing the best they can, feel bad.
Gee, funny that we view "Cyber Bullying" as an epedemic among school age kids. I thought adults were above that but judging by these comments that some have made...I guess it explains things. Those Cyber Bullying Apples didn't far fall from the tree. You should be ashamed of yourself.

#21.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 06:38 AM [Reply]

Get over yourself. Although this will affect many people in many ways, its their right to voice their feelings.

The biggest problem with this whole thing was the way in which it was rolled out without any offer to accept public opinion.

Hi to all, the contents existing at this website are actually awesome for people experience, well, keep
up the good work fellows.

#22 jane on 05/02/12 at 09:32 PM [Reply]

Seriously?.! None of you folks should move to the midwest .Elementary school starts 8:50 tardy bell rings at 9 ..you should check out west coast school time too.

#23 tiny on 05/02/12 at 09:39 PM [Reply]

School is for education and learning .not free child care.I read more comments about how much this effecting the finance instead of how will it benefit my child education.

#24 Other Angle on 05/02/12 at 11:02 PM [Reply]

I understand everyone's concerns regarding additional child care costs and the aggravations this will cause working families. It's certainly a seismic change to our day-to-day schedules, but something that has been overlooked so far in this discussion is the impact on teachers and their mission.

I'm not a teacher, but you will probably be able to gather that I know more than a few personally. The feedback I received so far from my discussions is that these changes will present a huge challenge in the classroom for both students and teachers. Not necessarily from the time of day changes, but rather the reduction to 160 days.

Granted, each instructional class period will be longer. I think the number of minutes is somewhere around 20 per period. But from every discussion I've had so far with educators, this will have a minimal impact on the day-to-day progression through the required curriculum. Especially when combined with block scheduling (which I personally detest for other reasons) it's going to amplify the already existing situation of trying to "feed a baby with a fire hose." This is particularly true for advanced classes. Combined with what is already occuring with block scheduling, this is going to force teachers to speed through important concepts and not allow students ample time to digest the material. Eventually, this will manifest itself in horrific standardized test scores that will be used by some to vilify the entire local educational community. It really is a vicious circle of short-sightedness.

I don't pretend to know the solution, but I'm afraid that my initial feelings of pending doom regarding these changes will prove prophetic. But never have I ever wanted to be more wrong before.

#24.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 07:14 AM [Reply]

How does this benefit the students?

I believe that they need MORE instructional time to learn and absorb what they are being taught. Teachers already have a hard enough job, which is made even more difficult. Do you seriously think that 20 min. a day will make up for the learning lost over 20 days! you need to figure that that only would amount to about 3 to 5 min. per class! I do not see how our children are going to see a benefit from this. After all, is it not the primary function of the schools to educate our children!

Now I do understand that there is a budget shortfall, and that we need to look at ways to reduce the budget. I also understand that property values in the county have fallen off of a cliff, resulting in less tax dollars coming in. The BOE needs to be more frugal with our dollars, but is this the best way to accomplish this? Im sure that there is, as in all government spending, some waste, fraud and/or abuse.

#24.2 Natalie on 05/03/12 at 07:33 AM [Reply]

I absolutely agree with your "feed a baby with a fire hose" comment. As the parent of a first grader, I have been quite taken aback with some of the homework that I have seen. Not necessarily because of the amount (there is a lot), but more because of the speed at which things seem to be jumping from one principle to another. I'm not going to be ridiculous and say that my child is a genius, but she IS a smart girl, and I still see her struggling to carry over the lessons from one day to the next. It feels as though everything is so rushed that she doesn't have time to absorb what she is learning. I wish they were given the chance to actually absorb the information they are learning. I can't imagine the pressure it puts on the poor teachers! Just my two cents.

#24.2.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 08:55 AM [Reply]

This is all pretty funny.
Especially the outraged reactions. I can see all you mammas climbing on tops of desks gyrating in spastic outrage.
Frankly, I don't care. Just as long as you keep your caterwauling brats away from my table at a restaurant.

#24.2.1.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 08:57 AM [Reply]

Because of people like you...this is why the school system is going to crap. Nice.

#24.2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 11:16 AM [Reply]

Please explain how what I THINK has CAUSES "the school system to go to crap." If I possess that kind of thought-power, then a lot people are going to be in deep trouble. I THINK I'll THINK all you whiny parents and worthless brats on a rocket to Io. (I'm sure you're too flippin' ignorant to know where that is, so Google it.)

#25 What The?? on 05/03/12 at 07:24 AM [Reply]

All this means is that the students will be receiving their mediocre education in 160 days rather than 180. They'll have off 3 months for Summer, and then waste the first half of the following school year going over what was forgotten during the time off.

#26 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 11:21 AM [Reply]

It would seem very unprofessional for the Board of Education and Dr. Creel to make these kinds of drastic changes without first announcing it to the Public and scheduling a published meeting for Barrow Citizens to voice their support, objections and alternative suggestions.

That would be the kind of professional action that our elected officials and Superintendent are expected to exhibit.

I also hear that several employees that will be reduced or terminated first found out from this and the other 160 day school year article, before being notified in person.

That should have never happened.

This whole thing seems amateurish at best.

#26.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 06:51 PM [Reply]

There are no full-time employees being terminated as part of this plan.

#26.2 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 09:19 PM [Reply]

The calendar and budget were originally PROPOSED during the meeting by Creel with the intent to obtain feedback... The Board then decided at that time to go ahead an approve it.

#26.2.1 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 12:29 PM [Reply]

Not much of a heads up for the community was it?

#27 Michelle on 05/03/12 at 12:12 PM [Reply]

FYI - the new calendar is posted on the BCSS website. Here is the link:
http://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/calendar/2012-13_160_Day_Student_Calendar.pdf

Start planning now for all of the changes now everyone. No use fighting it now.

#28 Kat on 05/03/12 at 02:30 PM [Reply]

I understand parents concerns about less school days,I do not get whats the big deal over time change.We from Boston schools for the little ones starts at 9:20 am to 3:20.Boston School Board feels that the little ones learns more effective after a good night rest..Amazing ,when we moved here we were in shock how early school started in this small town,I guess you all would go into shock if your moved to the East coast ..

#28.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 02:53 PM [Reply]

This is the South. And I am proud to be a good, old fashion Southerner. Go back home to Yankee land if you do not like it here.

#28.1.1 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 03:01 PM [Reply]

ME TOO! :)

#28.1.1.1 elena on 05/04/12 at 11:50 AM [Reply]

HEY Charles Darwin, wanna be.not even the Charles Darwin ,would have left his 5 year old alone to catch a bus.First of all is against the law,Second a 5year old is still not mature to remember to be on time and lock the door..you seem to forget Darwin basic theory.EVERY LIVING THING INCLUDING HUMANS EVOLVED SLOWLY OVER BILLION YEARS!!!SO IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR A 5 YEAR OLD TO EVOLVE TO BE MATURE AND SELF SUFFICIENT!

#28.1.2 kat on 05/03/12 at 03:17 PM [Reply]

I said I was in shock how early school started ,But I did not once complain about it.I just stated that in Yankee land are little ones starts at 9:20..It's your fellow Southern folks who is bitching up a storm over their School Board decesions.Again not once did I complain ..I JUST STATED A FACT..

#29 lynn on 05/03/12 at 02:46 PM [Reply]

If you are so concerned, why don't you show up at the board meetings and speak. The meetings are open and held the same day of the month. This wasn't an overnight decision and they will give you an agenda of each board meeting before it takes place. You just have to be proactive rather than reactive.

#30 Anonymous on 05/03/12 at 03:08 PM [Reply]

In Japan School days are 240 ,Mon thru Saturday.8 hours.All the fun long school days starts as soon as your child turn 4..They have the lowest school drop out rate and the highest ranked country for high IQs..and here I read comments that kids in Barrow county will not be able to forcus after 2:pm..Are we raising weak minded kids??When it comes to Education in good ole USA we rank at 25.top rank has been Japan.Korea ,China,Uk,Israel,Fineland,Spain and it goes on.

#30.1 anon on 05/03/12 at 05:27 PM [Reply]

Apparently you have some trouble "forcusing" after 2pm as well.

#31 rac76 on 05/03/12 at 05:38 PM [Reply]

I guess I'm the only one that likes the time change as I have always felt that the high school students should be out first. The reasoning is this: They have more time to participate in after school clubs, band, sports, OR they can have a job when they are ready. Majority of the US has the high school students going first with the elementary school students going last, and everyone else seems to be doing just fine.

The only thing that I don't like about the new calendar is that they still have not gotten rid of Fall Break, and shrunk Winter Break down. I enjoy the fact that school begins later, but it should equal itself out in the end.

#31.1 elena on 05/03/12 at 05:59 PM [Reply]

I agree with you ..Many states has older student start school earlier.My home town is Miami,Fl and Elementary starts later.

#32 anon on 05/03/12 at 07:05 PM [Reply]

Kat are you not aware that Georgia is on the east coast? Do you need a compass. If you don't like the way things are done here, move back to Boston. No one is ever going to be satisfied with anuthing Barrow County does. If you don't go to board meetings and speak up, then don't complain because honestly you don't have that right.

#32.1 kat on 05/03/12 at 07:46 PM [Reply]

I never complain,I just mention that in Boston Elementary starts later.Its the locals who does not like the new changes and complaining .Last time I checked my compass Georgia is consider Southeast region..

#32.2 elena on 05/03/12 at 08:01 PM [Reply]

I come here and read the journal once in a while I put my 2 cents in.I know your a frequent guest and numerous times you make sense.I read every ones post .I read also Kat from Boston.I was curious about East Coast vs West Coast and all that blah blah,.according to my 4 th grader geography YUP good pretty state of Georgia is consider SouthEast.From Virgina down to Florida is SouthEast.

#33 Too all of you complaining about the Increase in Child Care Cost on 05/04/12 at 06:13 AM [Reply]

First, leave your kids at home and make them ride the bus to and from school. You are already paying for it, so use it. It will reduce the ENTIRE expense of before and after school care.

Second, stop being Helicopter Parents and turn your children over to Darwin. It's going to happen sooner or later, Darwinism is inevitable.

Third, if you insist on sending them to before and after school care, I'm sure you have cable or satellite TV with all the total packages costing you anywhere between $250-500 a month depending on how many tvs you have in your house, cell phones for you, your spouse, and your kids, costing you between $100-300 a month, Ipads (another 50-200 a month depending on your data package and the number you have), and internet service.

Forth, take one less vacation this year.

Stop complainaing, because there are things you CAN cut in your personal budget.

#33.1 anon on 05/04/12 at 10:59 AM [Reply]

Oh yes, leave your elementary school children at home alone to get ready for school and wait for the bus. You know, since 5 year olds are so self-sufficient.

#33.1.1 elena on 05/04/12 at 12:02 PM [Reply]

I agree with you on this..5 years olds should not be left alone..Did you finally learn that now we are not any more in the East Coast but the South East ?? its ok still getting use to the fact that Pluto is not a planet anymore but a moon.Remember we are in the South East..Lol I also found out that it was the Southern that wanted to be called South East for not to be associated with The Yankee States in EASt Coast.Fun Facts so we do not look so simple minded to the Yanks.

#33.2 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 01:52 PM [Reply]

I can't listen to suggestions related to education made by anyone who is unable to spell 4th.

I smell a tea-tard!

#33.2.1 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 02:34 PM [Reply]

Do not be so harsh on him.he is still evolving ..Darwinism has finish with him yet..lol

#34 Concerned on 05/04/12 at 12:34 PM [Reply]

I know this is a shock for all. Personally I like the 160 day a year calendar I have never liked kids going in August due to hot weather which yes I know we have air but the buses do not. The cost has to be high August is usually the most expensive month
After reading all the feedback I see all points of view. Being related to employees in this system and Gwinnett its hard on all systems. Gwinnett hasn't decided to cut days back but instead are letting a lot of teachers go. So they face over crowded classrooms so would we be better off because Barrow would probably end up letting teachers go to stay longer days in the year and some classes at the high schools already have 35 students. I don't see that helping our children at all. Several school systems are closing down schools also. So it's tough all around.

#34.1 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 12:55 PM [Reply]

Amen! I think we can cut costs more. Let's start school in October and then have it end the first day the they have to turn on the AC

#35 Anonymous on 05/04/12 at 03:26 PM [Reply]

COMPLAIN TO OVER PRICE GREEDY DAY CARE!! SCHOOL IS TO TEACH YOUR CHIlLDREN !ITS NOT THEIR FAULT IF YOU CAN NOT AFFORD YOUR OFFSPRINGS! IF YOU MOVE TO GWINNETTE OR OTHER COUNTIES !THEN YOU BE IN THE SAME BOAT!!FINALLY BARROW IS OPERATING SCHOOL TIMES LIKE THE OTHER COUNTIES!

I agree child care is ridiculous pricey.bitch at the child care corperations.

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School hours to change; middle and high schools to start earlier, elementary ...

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School hours to change; middle and high schools to start earlier, elementary schools later

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