10 mins later every day, and then 1/2 day earlier once a week? Hmm....a little baffling, and I suspect working parents are particularly going to be in a bind.

If they are going to do this, they should plan it well and consult with parents about the best days to be used. Although there is a rule against using Fridays for Early Release days now, it really is the logical day, because parents who want to can get an early start on the weekend. If there is going to be an extra hour a week for planning time, then there needs to be some way to guarantee that it's used for that and not for meetings. Also, allow all schools, including high schools, to have the six Early Release days. Six Early Release days would equal three full days and, therefore, could be used for weather make-up days as needed. High School schedules can be adjusted on Early Release days so that the same classes are not missed every time. We used to do this when we had assemblies back when I was in school.

Why don't they use Friday for early release? I was never clear on that.

I did a couple of interviews for the story in The N&O today and one mom raised an interesting point that didn't make it into the story: What happens to after school sports practice? What will the kids do for the hour when their teachers/coaches are supposed to be planning?

We have all forgotten the real issue here is our children's education. Teachers have plenty of time for planning. If anything, kids need to be in school longer. We need to notify the school board members and tell them to vote NO on this.

Sorry, but no one is going to convince me that adding 10 minutes to 4 days a week is the equivalent of a solid block of time. Teachers cannot teach a lesson for 10 minutes a day spread over 4 days, but they certainly can teach a lesson in 45 consecutive minutes! I do not see the benefit to the children and quite frankly, I don't see that it benefits teachers either! Yet, it disrupts the parents on so many levels. For those of us that currently use after school care (such as the YMCA), I can predict that now the cost of those after school care programs will rise due to the fact that those programs must be extended an hour each week multiplied by the number of weeks of school.  After all, those workers need to be paid.  For those parents that work, how can you explain that you now need to leave an hour earlier once a week?  Just what we need in a recession.

I hope anyone who claims that teachers have enough planning time has been a teacher. I taught 12 classes and had 200 Spanish students, and I never had enough planning time.

Mom to Jude

Terrible idea. Teachers definitely could use the planning time--no question about that. But this is not the best way to accomplish that. Lots of school districts have tried other ways.

I don't support the idea. the N&O article said..."Jennifer Lanane, a teacher and member of the committee that recommended the changes, said the net result would be a loss of five instructional hours a year. But she said it would be offset by creating more time for "professional learning communities" -- otherwise known as joint planning time for teachers".... Net Loss of 5 instructional hours for our kids is OK with her? sorry -don't agree! seems what the board considers a minor disruption in their schedule can be a major disruption to the ones affected -as many have stated (sports and other AS Activities, childcare, parent work schedules, etc). and now more early release days in the middle of the week? I like "nmccarthy"'s suggestion>if we gotta have them, then at least do it on a Friday afternoon. and I'd say 3 full days vs 6 half days is better, too - a full day gives teachers time to focus on the task at hand and get it done, not teach a half day of school and then try switch gears to planning and such.

I asked Keung Hui, who covers the school board for The N&O, about the Friday question. Click this link to find out what he found out: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/balking-at-fridays-for-early-dismissals

Basically, teachers wouldn't support it because it would be bad for morale if the kids got out early on Fridays but teachers had to stay.

That's the dumbest thing I ever heard. Either they want the hour or they don't. But if you read his blog (by the way, the BEST source of info for what's REALLY going on in the school system-VERY informative) you'll know that most teachers don't even know anything about this request, and that the person who spoke out did not represent a majority.

I'm completely bewildered by these suggestions. They don't seem to make sense. Why don't they decide what exactly needs to be covered then figure out the best way to cover it?

Looks like the school board might change it's mind today: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1464829.html

Quote from board member Rosa Gill: "Maybe we don't need to start it now because of the budget. We can say that it's not the right time."

Apparently a lot of parents have been voicing their opposition.

Nevermind - They changed the schedule. Kids will get out an hour early every Wednesday starting next school year.

Here's the story: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1466953.html

Any way we can fight this?

It's tough to fight the school board. My favorite line by a school board member recently was Rosa Gill saying "we can't just jerk people around for the sake of jerking people around". HAHA. That's standard operating procedure for WCPSS, are you kidding?

I agree - a Friday early release would make more sense and be much more convenient for parents. The only draw back might be that more kids would miss altogether on those days as parents might plan trips for long weekends.