The school day for all-day kindergarten would require the children to have a "rest time" and "snack time." How much additional curriculum could be taught during a day with all these breaks? Also, do we have the additional teachers to take on the extra load?
Rather than two half-day sessions, kindergarten teachers would be responsible for the same group of students, thus requiring schools to hire additional kindergarten teachers. Is the governor willing to give our schools bigger budgets to accommodate his proposal?
Children at this age do not have the attention span or the stamina to tolerate such a rigorous schedule. Once again, society is trying to determine what is best for its children, but I fear society is doing what's best for the adult members of society.
Let's face it - all-day kindergarten is the best solution in society's eyes: If this proposal is implemented, working parents won't have to worry about finding child care. Teachers will be expected to fill the gap as surrogate caregivers.
Why not keep going and propose a school day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.? That way, we can totally push aside the most important responsibility given us - raising our children to be responsible, productive adults.
Rather than ask Gov. Glendening, I propose we ask our children. After all, aren't we making decisions for our children without thinking about what is best for them?
Jane F. Schmidt
Hagerstown
Not all children need this program
To the editor:
Kudos to Judy Warner for her excellent letter of 9/19 against all-day kindergarten. All of her points are well taken, and I would like to add a few more.
Often the argument for all-day kindergarten is given that we need to do it for those disadvantaged kids among us who receive little or no attention at home.
This is an argument I have heard from many people, especially educators, but it holds no water because it makes no sense. Why would you want to take away the privilege of the many because of a problem suffered by the few? This is as ludicrous as saying because some drive fancy cars and others drive broken-down cars, we should all drive bicycles!
Why not instead provide ways to help the disadvantaged to improve their situations while allowing 4- and 5-year-olds (yes 4 year olds can go to kindergarten in this state, but that is another letter!) To remain in the most stimulating, nurturing environment possible - home!
Come on folks, this is a no-brainer. Are our little ones better off in a chaotic class of 20 or 25 and one teacher all day long, or are they better off with the personal attention they get from one loving parent alone or in the presence of one or two siblings? Where do you think for the average 5-year-old, is the most creative environment?
I would like to suggest that the real reason "we" are so anxious to promote all day kindergarten is less for the good of our little ones that for our own personal comfort. All-day kindergarten is free day care. Search your hearts, use your minds, Washington County. Let's do what is ultimately in the best interest of our children. They deserve it.
Karen Kays
Fairplay
Keep little ones off high school buses
To the editor:
To: Washington County School Board
I am the CAC Chairperson at Hancock Elementary School and have been for two years. In this time I have written several letters to the school board and the Department of Transportation about our busing situation. I am writing as a concerned parent.
There is a grave safety issue in Hancock that has been overlooked by the board for years. It is the fact that our young children (the youngest being 4 years old) are riding the buses with the high school kids. They are exposed to verbal and bodily actions they do not need to witness.
They are exposed to sexual harassment. I do not understand how the board of Education can continue to overlook this serious matter. We have been told as a town that it would be looked into and taken care of for too long. It is time as concerned citizens we take action. We need letters written and calls made to Dr. Bartlett at the Washington County Board of Education.
We are just as much a part of this county as the other schools in Hagerstown. Our kids safety and concern should be No. 1. It should not be put on the back burner any longer. Please as concerned parents and citizens, make an effort to call the board and let them know, as a town, that this is a major concern of the utmost importance. Thank you.
Karen Sornson
CAC Chairperson
Hancock Elementary
