The Last Stand
Comments by DinaFisher
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On Another piece of the pie
(anonymous)
February 25, 2008 at 5:31 p.m.
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We all know the real debate is not why people live here if they cannot afford it (Steamboat was a community of hard working families long before it became a trendy ski resort town - some people still hold their family roots here & choose to stay), why parents work (there are many circumstances, single parents, and the need for health & dental insurance), or why they had children in the first place (sorry, too late for that debate, they're already here - we need to educate them!).
The real issue at hand we should all focus on here is whether Full Day Kindergarten is beneficial to our kids preparedness for First Grade, and if more pre-school availability spots in town will benefit a larger number of current pre-schoolers unable to secure a space with the current 3 year waiting list for Pre-K. As you may be aware, there is a nation-wide campaign to encourage ALL parents (even the ones who do not “pawn their kids off”) to have their pre-schooler attend at least part-time Pre-K before sending them to Kindergarten. For many pre-schoolers, this is not an option, due to lack of availability. An additional benefit to Full Day Kindergarten is far-reaching: our business community is in a workforce shortage crisis, adding additional childcare spaces (remember, we will “free up” many spots at private pre-schools that currently care for kindergarteners after their current 2 ½ school day ends) can offer one small answer to creating alternatives for the talented pool of people here to re-join the workforce (if even part-time).
Busing & traffic congestion downtown: There is currently no mid-day busing system. Who wouldn’t want less traffic congestion downtown mid-day? If the Kindergarten school day coincides with the rest of the school, there are bussing options both AM & PM..
Clearly, there is real need for parents to work, in our community, and I suspect many of these parents work for more noble reasons than to simply “pawn their kids off” on someone else or to “obtain a nicer house or skis”.
I suspect reply’s from the working parent’s perspective will not be in abundance or forthcoming, they are too busy working & parenting – they have better things to do than read these comments.
-Proud and not “anonymous” working mother
On Chat with Sandra Smyser
(anonymous)
February 25, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.
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I would like to comment on the “policy governance” as it relates to the progress being made on implementing Full Day Kindergarten. The committee that the administration and district have put in place to work on the project of Full Day Kindergarten and implementation is really a talented and dedicated group of professionals, both within the school system, and from outside the school system. I am impressed with their capabilities, thoroughness, and abilities to anticipate the challenges and details implementing such a program will entail. However, due to the “policy governance” and perhaps some misunderstanding from the school board on what their roles are in getting this thing off the ground, the committee really cannot make any progress or proceed with real work, until the School Board mandates that this is a program that is desirable for our district & community. It seems some members of the school board feel getting answers to each detail related to the logistics of implementing this program is their role. As I understand it, under “policy governance”, their role is to just decide & direct the school board. The school board should just be taking the initiative to gather board of education studies on how full day kindergarten benefits the children educationally, and if a full day curriculum will better prepare our kindergarteners for first grade or not. I am confident if the school board would just mandate it, the committee and the administration will implement it correctly and well. I just hope the school board can act timely on this issue, before we are debating this issue again next year or 10 years from now.
Dina Fisher
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On Another piece of the pie (anonymous)
February 25, 2008 at 6:05 p.m.
› Suggest removal
Turtledove: You're right-on: that is exactly the proposal, to offer optional full-day curriculum for those who will use it or agree with the benefits, while still retaining the half day option for those who are lucky enough to get to spend the rest of their day with their child & feel it's best.