I am the father of an 11-year-old student in Snohomish County. What started out as a concern, moved to irritation and now is at the point of outrage as to how often the students are not at school.
My daughter again had no school last week for yet another teacher in-service day. At what point do parents, educators and government leaders need to say enough is enough when it comes to kids not going to school? The kids only go to school 180 days a year as it is – just a hair under one half a calendar year. Then about 17 of these days are early release days! And the teachers complain about pay? (That is another topic for another time …)
There are so many non-student days or early release days that it has become quite noticeable and frankly ridiculous. In February, she had four straight weeks in which she had school only four days each week! Then she had another day scheduled off last week. Later in the month she has six straight days of early release, which flows right into spring break.
It is no wonder today’s children are struggling to learn, pass WASL tests and keep up with most other countries in the world in math and science abilities. How can they when they are rarely in school, especially for any length of time to absorb and retain what may have been taught to them? If businesses operated this way, nothing would get done. What kind of message are we sending to our children about work ethics?
Not to mention the financial impact on parents who have to find child care or take days off of work to care for their children on otherwise normal days.
Something needs to change. Our children deserve better.
M. Kevin Bachmeier
Lake Stevens
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
