Can you imagine not getting the two months off of school in the summer that most of us enjoy? Well it does take place in a lot of districts, and it's called year-round schooling. Sounds scary right? The thought of having to go to school during the summer, when you would rather be outside having fun?
Usually I talk about President Obama's new healthcare law. But I bet you're tired of me rambling about it, I know I am. While it is one of the biggest controversies of 2012, it isn't the only one around. So let's talk about something different. Let's talk about year-round schooling. Usually I have strong feelings about a topic, but I'm really lost as to what to believe with this one. But I hope you have an opinion, and take the time to tell me about it in the comment section.
I was once again surfing the web, and came across an article that really interested me. I found it on the New York Times, which, I have to say, is a great source for a wide variety of news, and I love their feature that suggests related articles to you. I found this article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/education/some-schools-adopting-longer-years-to-improve-learning.html?_r=1&ref=us
In many schools across the country, kids are a few days into their school year, if not more than that. Instead of two months of summer vacation, they only have about one month. Instead of the usual 180 days of school, some have 200 days. "That's crazy!" you may say. "We already have too much school time as it is". Well, even though I don't mind going to school, and actually like it, I still enjoy summer vacation. I would be lost without it, especially considering how stressful June was. Right now, I am enjoying summer vacation, and in no way, shape or form want it to end. I'm not happy at all that the school year is starting on the 29th of this month, that is a little early in my opinion. This summer is going by way too fast, and I couldn't even imagine it being shorter. I can't! Any shorter at all would be too short. Our school calendar is fine, no need to make any changes.
Or is there? While most of us love summer vacation, let's face the facts: it doesn't last forever. Most jobs don't allow their employees to take off two months of a time. So before I continue, I'll say that we should all deeply appreciate this, because when we get older it won't be there. We'll be working while kids are running around playing. I was horrified when I was younger, and found out that when I get older there will be no summer vacation. Is there any way to prepare for it? Yes, there is. Year-round schooling, whether you like it or not, is a good way to prepare kids for the workforce. It prepares everyone for life, in a way. Yeah, it might be nice outside, but so what? You still have to go to school, adults still have to go to work. It sounds fair, right?
Well, I really don't know. But it is certainly a topic worth talking about. So please, as many people as possible, let me know what your opinion is of this whole issue. Because, I have no idea what would be best. Would year-round schooling ruin kids' childhoods? Or would it be a good opportunity for everyone to prepare for the workforce? Do the positive reasons of implementing it outweigh the negatives? Or vice versa? Please, let me know.
Just Google "Year-round schooling" and plenty of articles will come up if you need them. Thank you all very much for taking the time to read my post!
I've always heard the expression from my mom... "Being a child is the best part of life!" I agree with her. Let us all enjoy our freedom as well by having the full two months of vacation! The most important thing is that we all still learn and still have time for enjoyment! Why be hard on ourselves as children! We learn and process ourselves when we get older and have that mood as well. We can't be forced because it is going to make more of us stressful and upset! Life is full of great opportunities but we just got to wait when we're ready.
ReplyDelete