The Public Opinion Soapbox

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 362

Can someone, please, tell me why, why is this school district so dang screwed up?

I know, it's money and buildings already done, but why in the world did they build one "intermediate school" behind another elementary school.

Wouldn't it have been more prudent to build another elementary school in an area where the need is; where the population is booming?

It will soon be time to think about adding another elementary school. Yes there is that much growth. Where are they going to put that? Behind Nancy Grayson?

oscar · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 12

The location was more about land and logistics. Originally it was going to be crammed behind the high school as more of a campus type atmosphere but, then this land became available at a good price and location allows a way to to conveniently share busing and shuttles.

I think it's a good fit and is a wonderful school. There might have been other options that might have worked also but, building another K-5 is not one of them. Building this school has allowed for growth in all the schools from K-5 and the location is fine. I'm not real sure about Nancy Grayson but, Burd and the Intermediate school have enough land around them should they need to expand in the future so we're good.

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 362

oscar · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 12

Community schools are great but, unrealistic and costly. Just look at where Chambersburg is at right now. They're tearing down and rebuilding larger schools to try to consolidate as they rid themselves of the old money pits. Shippensburg had other rural elementary schools they unloaded many years ago which was the smart thing to do. Bringing more kids under one roof cuts down on many other costs and as much as I hate bussing, I would never rest easy allowing my kids to walk to school which is why we drive ours. Shippensburg does some dumb things at times but, then again who doesn't. Looking back on it, perhaps we should have built a new high school, moved the middle school there, and then move the 4-5 kids to the middle school. Since they did not do that, I think they made the right decision.

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 362

Whatever happened to good old fashioned education?

You know, K-6 7-8, 9-12? I hate the idea of all day Kindergarten! As a former K teacher, I know these kids aren't ready for all day of school. Four hours were enough, their attention span and energy level can only tolerate so much. They need time to play, rest, and be with family. Not be "babysat for free" by the school district.

Yes, I am old fashioned. Yes, I'm an old fart. But kids these days are growing up much too quickly, slow them down, they don't need to be in such a rush.

oscar · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 12

I agree, we've become a fast society where information can be found at the speed of the internet but, today's kids are raised that way. I have a youngster who is attending all day kindergarten as I write this and she is doing very well and she has PDD which is on the autism spectrum so we were worried yet we thought it might be good for her to have additional time in the classroom to give her an advantage. I've always thought all day K was a good idea and would give kids an edge over those kids who went 1/2 day and I can say that she is in no way being baby sat. She is learning additional things and spending additional time in certain areas such as reading and writing and hopefully she'll be a step ahead when she enters 1st grade. They say that younger minds learn at a faster pace so why not give them a head start at absorbing more. After sending her to 2 years at a good Pre School who has a previous teacher in charge, I felt she was more than ready for all day plus her big sisters go. I think so much time is lost on 1/2 day because till you get settled in, it's time to pack up and go home. All day is not as bad as it might sound and in today's fast world you want to give your child any edge you can and instill good learning habits early because having a BA is not always enough. And all day K will hopefully reach those kids who are not fortunate to go to preschool.

QueenofHearts · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 362

I'm not a big fan of pre school either. (But I guess you've figured that out already.) All of the things that the child needs to know before he or she enters K can and should be taught in the home by the parents, grandparents (if you're lucky to live close to them), bigger siblings, etc.

I'm very well aware of PDD. (M.S. in Psychology) I'm floored that your child's physician is even allowing you to let your child go to full-day K. (She probably has a TSS, right?) Nevertheless, no one can convince me that a five-year old can really appreciate full-day K.

I beg to differ on half-day K. There is a lot of work that can be done in that 3 1/2 hours of teaching time. Plus, that included recess! You really would be amazed!

oscar · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 12

Times are just really different and parents who can even get their kids to pre-school rely on them for help because of long hours they are forced to work due to companies wanting to do more with less people.

No she does not have a TSS or an IEP. She is actually very bright and highly functional but, has some quirks as we like to call them. She has 2 older siblings who do very well in school and a younger sibling who will be in kindergarten next year.

We are all entitled to our own opinions. For now I like all day K and should be able to see next year whether she's a little more advanced than her older siblings were who went to traditional 1/2 day K. So far, I think she's doing wonderful and am so proud of her.

paul_milander · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 520 Location: Shippensburg, PA