LAST WEEK, the Gazette reported on the controversy over the Emporia school district’s early-release program.
As the name implies, students are being released early from school every Wednesday. While some schools have had early release for years, this is the first year it is was implemented at all the elementary schools as well as the intermediate schools.
Assistant Superintendent George Abel said the reason for early release is to allow teachers time to collaborate on teaching and learning issues. The idea of early release came from the district’s professional learning communities or PLCs.
The issue has created headaches for parents. Parents now have to juggle their work schedules to be able to shuttle their children and provide child care as early as 2:30 p.m.
Early release may be an inconvenience for parents, but the real question is what impact the practice has on the students.
Early release may be enriching teachers, but it is not helping the children.
With the increasing challenges of meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind and with American children falling behind their foreign counterparts in many measures of educational accomplishment, we need to keep children in school, learning.
Sending students out of school to sit at home, or in day care or to aimlessly wander the streets when they could be in the classroom, learning, is a shame.
Obviously teachers need collaboration time, but couldn’t this be done during planning periods, lunch breaks or in the faculty lounge?
This year, there has been plenty of discussion about Emporia’s early release program. If parents want a change, they should consider banding together and approaching the Emporia school board.
Christopher White Walker
Editor & Publisher
Comments
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Posted by spensanity (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please, before you write an article that will definitely stir up a lot of people in this community, meet with the school district people and find out what collaboration time entails for the teachers in USD 253. They don't just meet with teachers from their own school, they meet with educators from other schools in the district. The amount of paperwork they have to do is unbelieveable. If you haven't been reading the major newpapers, there is a teacher shortage out there. Could it have to do with all of the extra paperwork and preparation for the new guidelines? I'm sure that is a big reason why. Let us commend those brave and committed individuals who work hard for our children on a daily basis. As a parent, they have my respect and support!
Posted by Pollyanna (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Chris Walker is just looking for more angry posters. Can you prove that teachers being enriched doesn't help students? Many of my teacher friends use that early release time to indeed strategize and brainstorm better ways to help our students.
Your point about collaboration happening during lunch is ridiculous. Teachers already get like 20 minutes to snarf their lunch, hit the bathroom and exhale before the kids come back. So now you're asking for them to skip the lunch? Give me a flippin' break. I agree that students need to be in school to learn but taking planning time away from teachers only makes for more stressed and overworked teachers.
I wonder if the teachers at the Christian School are asked to skip their lunches?
Posted by citizenT (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The students are STILL receiving the SAME number of instructional minutes they ALWAYS have! I don't understand why this fact is being ignored. Students are not being shortchanged the opportunity for receiving instruction, it is simply being delivered in an alternate format.
Posted by create (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh come on, you people. One hour a week is not going to make that much difference with regard to planning and collaboration. How much of that time is spent driving to another location?
And please don't go on and on about all the paperwork. Teachers know before they even step into the classroom for the first time that paperwork will be a large part of their daily regimen. Until last year when I retired, I was a teacher too, and I remember the tons and tons of paperwork. I also remember when NCLB was first instituted. I remember the horrors of QPA. We all balked at first until many of us began to realize how adopting and IMPLEMENTING state standards would be a boon to learning. I'm one of those who believe in that program, especially in view of what used to happen before all kids were expected to pass state assessments before they could graduate. They were just passed along.
Paperwork? Those who are organized will get it done. Yes, yes, I remember nights when I worked late at the kitchen table getting my paperwork done, but it wasn't every night.
Blaming teacher shortages on "all of the extra paperwork and preparation for the new guidelines" makes no sense. Are those the kinds of teachers we want in the classroom? People who shy away from "extra paperwork and preparation"? Poppycock. Teacher shortages are based on poor salaries, not fear of paperwork. A good teacher is the sort of person who will go into teaching despite workloads. Guidelines? How else do you measure for accreditation? As I recall, Emporia has extra guidelines to work toward because of accreditation problems in the past.
Chris Walker is right to urge parents to contact their school board if they are dissatisfied with the current early release schedule. If enough people are having scheduling and child care problems as a result of early release, then the board needs to find a different method.
May I suggest early morning meetings. At the school where I used to teach, many is the time when we had early morning meetings when many would be gone in the afternoon with team sports, etc. Hey, it's only one day a week, and the kids would then be able to stay in the classroom where they belong.
Posted by UsayULoveGod (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What it really comes down to is who really cares ???
We cry over the teachers getting Summers off , We cry about them getting paid too much , we cry about every little thing when it comes to educating our children. I hear it all of the time ,but we forget that our greatest resources are our children , so we say. And we wonder why America is behind other countries when it comes to education . It comes from us the parents( I am including myself in this one).
In some countries the teacher is the most respected job you could have , because you are entrusted to teach and nurture or kids who we continue to say are our future. Go by the schools after hours , and on Saturdays and Sundays and you will always see teachers putting in unpaid time
Posted by Absolute (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do not all the schools offer after school care for those days? My daughter goes to Timmerman and she goes to Flex time until 4pm and then goes to the afterschool program and I need to pick her up by 5:30.
Posted by ksnewsie (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Mr. Walker, and anyone else critical of teachers, should spend some time in the classroom. It ain't easy, folks. Mr. Walker, I challenge you to get a license to substitute teach and go give it a try. I'll donate $100 to your favorite cause if you try this and still feel the way you do as indicated above.
Posted by dick (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are right on target Mr. Walker. When is the school system going to wise up and see and understand that our students are falling farther and farther behind in the world. It seems like with all the home work that is sent home with the students each day they will either get it or not and it's up to them and yet the teachers need additional time during the day. Get real. Here again "It's all about the system and that's just the way it is." It won't continue will it teachers?
Posted by native_emporia (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Walker~ I hope you can ignore the people that have attacked you here.
I first hand have seen teachers "collaborating" during this time and I don't think that sitting in each others classrooms gossiping about each other and their students is good use of district time or funds.
As I have stated before on other posts we have good teachers in this district that do an awesome job; however, they are not the majority. Very few show up early or stay late and very few make good use of this time. I have had teachers tell me themselves that even at district meetings teachers will sit and talk through them and they are a waste of time. Something needs to change.
Posted by lurker75 (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Early release may be enriching our teachers, but it is not helping our children."
enrich-to make rich or richer esp. by the addition or increase of some desirable quality, attribute, or ingredient (Webster-Merriam)
So, according to this, to enrich teachers would be to make teachers better by the addition or increase of some desirable quality. AKA, enriching teachers makes teachers better at, well, teaching. Strictly going by definition here.
But doesnt it make his previous statement an oxymoron?
"Early release may be enriching teachers, but it is not helping teachers."
I'm confused. Isn't.....................Doesn't..................?
Wow.
Posted by lurker75 (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
His comment was "Early release may be enriching teachers, but it is not helping students."
Posted by 77flint (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What is wrong with the message here? some nations have classes year round and are amoung the most educated in the world. I am not saying that teachers do not deserve respect. The education of our childeren is the most important issue.
As for the parent from TIMMERMAN School. Your school is the richest and not all of the others can keep kids until 5:30pm. It must be easy for you but not all of us have it that good.
Posted by Absolute (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well that was my question...do the other schools not have after school care? I honestly don't know. What time do kids have to be picked up from the other schools?
Posted by toninj (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kstrebuchet: I don't believe that the issue is things not sinking in as you put it, but rather that the statement "The students are STILL receiving the SAME number of instructional minutes they ALWAYS have!" is extremely inaccurate.
Our students are NOT receiving quality instruction time in this district and I know several teachers that would agree with that statement. And the district seriously needs to look at how time is scheduled. By the way I own my own business and work from home and have no problem picking my children up for early release days, in fact I spend a lot of time in the schools volunteering with teachers. I think your statement that people are only upset about having to "arrange your time in a way you do not appreicate" is way off. I know several stay at home parents that have issues with instuctional time and it has nothing to do with picking kids up early on Wednesday. I will agree STRONGLY with an earlier statement that the majority of our teachers are not making good use of this time on early release days or the time that they are pulled from classes to attend other things. Our student’s education is falling behind and the students are the ones being impacted here.
Posted by lurker75 (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All schools offer after school activities on the early release days. It's the parents' choice whether or not their kids take part.
And for toni, it sounds like you have some good information. Can you be more specific on how children aren't receiving quality instruction time? I'd like to know how you so STRONGLY agree that the majority of our teachers (there are over a thousand so you must know about 501, right) are not making good use of time. Call them out. Make it known. This is your chance to right the ship.
Posted by toninj (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kstrebuchet: I am so sorry that my ability to stay at home and work bothers you so much. You sound like a very bitter person. I would respond to your oh so funny Ebay comment, but it really isn't worth my time.
My suggestion to you is to put the volunteer hours in that I do in this district and then come back and talk to me. I have children at each grade level; have served on PTO committees for the last 11 years, served on curriculum committees, calendar committees and site councils. I try to attend at least 4 to 5 board meetings a year. I research and meet with administrators each year as to the best teacher for my children. I read every other week with elementary students; I have served as a mentor to children in the schools.
I am sorry that it bothers you that I have an opinion as to the education my children are receiving, but you see I have a right to my opinion because I am not just sitting back doing nothing about what needs to be changed. Tell us what do you do for the students in this district?
It is the same as people who gripe about politics, but never get out there and vote.
By the way I live by two schools, I would like to know where all these teachers are that work weekends, and the parking lots are always empty on the weekend from what I can see! Many teachers that I am close friends with have the same complaints that I do. They are frustrated and wish they could spend more time with their students, these are the teachers by the way that put in the extra hours.
Posted by ksfan (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On one hand, parents are complaining that it is an inconvenience for them to have the early release days because they are not able to find care for their children. On the other hand, they are criticizing the care that the schools ARE providing for their children. Can't have it both ways folks!! The schools realize that not all parents are able to pick up their kids at 2:30 when school is released..... not all parents are able to pick up their kids at 4:09 on a regular day. This is why the schools offer child care.... as a convenience for the parent!!! Take full advantage rather than complain!
Posted by lurker75 (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
toni...I think it is great that you are so active in the education of your children. It's very admirable and you deserve credit for being involved. I'd like to believe that more people would be like you if given the means. I do, however, want to hear your ideas for helping the district out. You have been in the schools and have seen what's going on. Would you be in favor of year round school? There is research supporting it's effectiveness.
I'm sure you would agree, that if given the question, "Would you like to have more instruction time with your students,? an overwhelming majority of the teachers would answer yes. Due to NCLB, teachers are more accountable than ever for the learning of their students. Every minute of every day counts, and if given the chance to have more, I'm sure teachers would jump at the chance. After all, their jobs are on the line now. Produce, or pay the consequences. So you are right, teachers would greatly embrace the idea of more instruction time. However, your comment about "Where are all these teachers on the weekends?" doesnt't sit well with me. I'd imagine they are the same places doctor's, lawyers, bankers, policemen, mechanics, you and me, are on our days off. Home with their families. You sense to have a negative attitude towards teachers, when in reality, they want the same things as you. You both want the children to learn. Period. There are some, as in any profession, bad apples. But please don't think for an instance that the majority of the teachers in this district have anything but best intentions for your children.
Posted by create (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Due to NCLB, teachers are more accountable than ever for the learning of their students."
More than ever? Please stop blaming the NCLB for what teachers are expected to do. Teachers should always be accountable for their students' learning. They should have been accountable in the past, should now, and should be in the future.
Posted by mythoughts (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 3:40 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by lurker75 (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Create, thank you. You've hit the nail on the head. They should always be held to higher standard. As in any other job, your performance should be evaluated on your product. If you don't cut it, their should be action taken. Before NCLB it was just "understood." Now it's legislature. And with it should come a due respectibility of the profession.
Posted by webmaster (web master) on April 3, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
REMINDER: Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable.
Posted by emporia (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Number 1: We (teachers) did NOT start early release. It was decided by the administration above us that this is what we will do.
Number 2: My PLC team is AWESOME. We work together, strategize, look at our student data and make decisions together for the betterment of our students because we DO have HIGH expectations for our students. We don't have TIME to gossip about others nor would we want to.
Number 3: We are STILL teaching the same amount of time as in the past. The time is just structured differently. We are working a required two and a half more hours a week. We are not taking instructional time AWAY from children.
Number 4: I wish I had MORE teaching time (longer school days or a longer school year...I don't know which)--I need more time with my students to teach all the curriculum I need to teach.
Number 5: Early release was designed because we don't have the same planning time (all at the same time, in all of the schools), we don't have the same 20 minute lunch time, and for the younger teachers, we all can't come to school real early like others because of childcare or stay real late either because of childcare.
Number 6: In every profession there are "slackers". For me to be lumped in with the "slackers" is very distubing. I work my tail off for my students. I go above and beyond in the name of my students because I want them to do the same thing when they are adults. I want them to learn from me to be positive, productive, hard-working, caring people and to be able to work cooperatively in a global society. It saddens me, that in the eyes my society, I am not valued.
Posted by been_there (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
EMPORIA - Please don't assume that EVERYONE on this board feels the same and is the voice of society. I value ALL teachers because I don't know ONE that got into the profession for the money! Please! If teachers didn't have to spend half their time teaching basic manners and morals to a percentage of their students, maybe they would have the time to focus on the actual educational structure and needs of ALL their students. If the administration didn't spend all of their time telling teachers how to do what they already know how to do, then maybe they could follow a curriculum that would benefit their students future needs and assure their success.
I know that people lead extremely busy lifestyles these days but if all parents would put forth as much energy into being involved in their childs' academic endeavors as they do in driving them to gymnastics, basketball, soccer, baseball, etc and sitting thru practices and worrying about whether they are the first picked on the team, then I don't think we would have any 'child left behind'. Don't get me wrong, athletics are an important part of a childs development and I'm all for it but unless you are raising the next Michael Jordan or Derek Jeter, then an education is the most the important thing you can give them! Think about it, if the doctor gives your child a prescription to get better but you don't make them take the medicine, how are they going to get better? Let's take a little responsibility for the success or failure of our children here.
Posted by flwrfan (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is interesting how this page has gone from criticizing Mr. Walker to teacher bashing. I don't think that was his intent. With that being said, the Gazette editorial staff should have done more investigation before some of these statements (assumptions) were made. Would have avoided some of this negativity that our community and schools do not need. I am not a teacher, BUT I have worked with teachers/administrators/support staff in USD 253 for over 20 years. You will not find a more dedicated group of educators, period. Are we perfect, no. But we do the best we can, every day, for the children in our community. We do the jobs we do because we love kids. Come visit a school and you might change your opinion!
Posted by ElementaryTeacher (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 7:39 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by emporia (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 7:52 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by lurker75 (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It really is unfortunate that Mr. Walker chose this topic. I've always felt that the gazette and the school district were on pretty good terms. Their buildings make them neighbors, and his occasional joking around with Dr. Heim suggested good relations. Apparently not. I could understand if he had his own children in the system and felt like a real change needed to be made. But, after reading this forum, it sounds like his kids don't even attend usd253. So his conclusions and point of of view really are irrelevant. They couldn't be first person, and therefore, don't hold much weight.
I know one of the basics of writing, and is actually taught at my daughter's elem. schools is "ideas." She was told, "If you don't know what your talking about, and don't have solid information to include, pick something else because people will see right through you.
Posted by emporia123 (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone needs to go back and really read what Chris Walker said.
He said nothing about teachers being bad. All he says if is parents want a change then they need to go to the board. Sounds reasonable to me.
Why shoot the messenger over such a simple message.
Posted by lurker75 (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I disagree123.
"Early release may be an inconvenience for parents, but the real question is what impact the practice has on the students.
Early release may be enriching teachers, but it is not helping the children."
This is a statement of opinion. His opinion. Made by a person without children in the district. I'm all for a parental movement to approach the school board. This is why such a board exists, and officials are elected. But to make such generalizations from a 3rd party viewpoint isn't very responsible.
Posted by lurker75 (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If he had said, "You know what, this might be good, and this might be bad. I'm hearing lots of negatives from other parents. Maybe this should be an issue taken to the board," I'd be behind him wholeheartdly. But he went a step further and put in his own opinion, which is his right. It's his newspaper, and his column. But, he must own up to his remarks. Taking stabs at the local school district in a time when this town is so starving for positive messages about our community really bothers me.
And what also bothers me are the messages which were deleted. I had the chance to read them before they were removed, and they weren't personal attacks. They were questions regarding people's subscriptions to the gazette and the possibility of cancelling. I've lived here my whole life. I stand up for the gazette when others don't. But deleting posts that questions their credibility and the value of their paper? That isn't the paper I grew up reading. I'd like to think that WAW wouldn't simply erase negative comments, but rather face them head on, own up to them, and if needed, make things right. But, what do I know. Hopefully I just didn't get myself deleted.
Posted by webmaster (web master) on April 3, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lurker - the comment section of the website is encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories and not make random attacks. To review online rules go to http://www.emporiagazette.com/rules
Posted by ElementaryTeacher (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lurker, thanks for your support. My comment was deleted. I'd like to propose that this Celtic proverb is appropriate. "Often a man's mouth has broken his nose."
Posted by webmaster (web master) on April 3, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This discussion has moved to the forums. Feel free to chat there.
http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/ope...