Here is a letter from the cheef edumacator in my school district. Here is a letter he wrote to parents. I dont even do grammer too good, but damn, this is a friggin mess.
Quote:An Open Letter to Parents and Staff:
As I write this letter on Tuesday morning, the sun is shining, the temperature an uncomfortable, but bearable, 25 degrees AND THE SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED. I know that canceling school causes a number of ripple effects for your families and for the community. Baby sitters to be found, personal plans to be changed, work schedules interrupted. For this reason, we do not take the decision of closing schools lightly.
This has already been an extraordinary week, with snow, ice, and sustained below- freezing temperatures. All indications are that we can expect more weather problems for the remainder of the week. While we will make our decisions on a daily basis, there is a possibility that we will have to close schools for the rest of the week. I say this only to ask you to begin making contingency plans for such an occurrence now.
Believe me when I say that we would much prefer to have school in session this week for a variety of reasons: (1) school is scheduled to be in session and teachers have lessons to teach; (2) with the holidays approaching there are countless concerts, celebrations, and community service activities scheduled; and (3) you as parents have your lives to live.
Important as all of these are, our first concern is with the safety and well-being of our students and our staff. Most of the neighborhood streets and sidewalks in our district remain covered with ice. This ice presents a threat to our buses (even with chains), our walkers, and our student drivers. Because of the sustained below-freezing temperatures, the ice is not melting, so every morning presents the same safety issues. Add to this the reality that our school parking lots are also covered with ice and that many of our staff members are traveling from a distance, and we have the proper mix for school closure.
The school calendar provides for three emergency days each year that do not have to be made up. Our calendar also calls for any days beyond three to be made up by extending the length of the school year in June. While we are not there yet, I would ask that parents and staff not make vacation commitments for the week of June 15 because there is a good likelihood that we will be in school that week.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter. The complexities of a 17,000 student school district are great enough under normal conditions without having to factor in our current weather events. All this being said, please accept my wishes for an enjoyable holiday season. Growing up in the Midwest, I used to believe that a snow storm was a necessary ingredient for the holidays. Not so much anymore.
Sincerely,
Ron Naso
Superintendent
If my school district teaches our kids to write this well, we're fucked.
I find that 3rd paragraph outright insulting. I think it typifies the mentality some people say the school districts have. They have lost sight of LEARNING and THE KIDS, and are more concerned that TEACHERS have lessons to teach and there are concerts and festivals to attend....to....at.
He doesnt mention a damn thing about KIDS LEARNING. He makes no mention of teachers trying to contact parents by email with lessons, materials or instructions during this time.
Is it me? Am I asking for too much??