tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post5656479877768012655..comments2023-10-23T09:23:22.051-04:00Comments on Your Schools: Battle of the bells continuesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-80236962560347130782012-01-14T11:37:40.387-05:002012-01-14T11:37:40.387-05:00Obviously, none of you have children at these late...Obviously, none of you have children at these late start schools. My child gets home at 5:30. It is currently dark when she gets off of the bus. The buses at these later schools tend to be later arriving for the afternoon shifts because these are the last runs of the day, it also means that the buses are in the 5:00 traffic so these kids end up with a longer bus ride and a late bell schedule. For the working parents like myself, the mornings are a nightmare. Imagine relying on 11 year old to get up, dressed, eat, get lunch and make the bus everyday because most working parents have to be at work by 8:00am.<br />I would also question the CMS claims of savings, as I know that the teachers are using substitutes far more frequently as they have longer days too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-35848176982411455592012-01-11T19:56:24.978-05:002012-01-11T19:56:24.978-05:00People who want to change the bell schedule back t...People who want to change the bell schedule back to the way it was should pay close attention to what Hattabaugh is saying: sacrifices will have to be made, especially in terms of busing. Busing is a major way for students in CMS to get access to programs that benefit them (eg, TD schools, Montessori programs) and the district (by providing a diverse set of quality education opportunities within the public schools). If access to those programs is decreased because of concerns about the later bell schedule for some schools, that's not necessarily a good trade. My daughter goes to a magnet middle school with a 9.15 start time, and she's got a lot of activities in school, and doesn't really need outside of school extracurriculars to stay engaged and interested. She's home by 5, we have dinner, she does homework, and then has downtime. It works for us, and also allows myself and my husband to put in a full working day without having to deal with aftercare, etc.<br /><br />Who responded to the survey? Who did not? How do we know that survey was representative, because it was pretty self-selected, that group of people who responded. What about those for whom the later schedules are working pretty well? It's never going to be perfect--we should strive for the best situation for the most kids, not for the most vocal parents.Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-430233762224889602012-01-11T09:46:10.673-05:002012-01-11T09:46:10.673-05:00It's now clear that the sample size was quite ...It's now clear that the sample size was quite small, and that the data was cloudy at best in support of this group's demands. <br /><br />What is clear is that a few familes don't like the late end time.<br /><br />The BOE should recognize that solving this group's problem will create problems for other families whose views weren't represented in this study!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-21626900183800361022012-01-11T08:39:37.233-05:002012-01-11T08:39:37.233-05:00Looking through the presentation PDF it's clea...Looking through the presentation PDF it's clear the survey was structured to get the types of results this parents group wants. <br /><br />Also there's no information about the demographics of those who responded to the survey? Percentage of students who were white? Black? Hispanic? Percentage of parents?<br /><br />Median income of those responding? How many poor or low income parents answered the survey? What about families without ready access to computers?<br /><br />How many people answered the survey multiple times on different computers?<br /><br />This is a very small population of CMS parents squeaking loudly trying to bully the new board.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-66362856419206212342012-01-10T23:32:45.863-05:002012-01-10T23:32:45.863-05:00CMS has always staggered start times ranging from ...CMS has always staggered start times ranging from 7-9 a.m. because of busing. The current issue is the 45 minutes added to the instructional day, not the start times!! Let's get some clarity on what we need to be speaking against.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-49772546890418447692012-01-10T22:35:10.793-05:002012-01-10T22:35:10.793-05:0015 middle schools with the late start at about 100...15 middle schools with the late start at about 1000 students per school is 15,000 students total, give or take. That means 30,000 parents. <br /><br />Being realistic let's say 20,000 parents and 12,000 students are involved in these schools.<br /><br />1244 students answered the survey, that's 10%. 1479 parents answered the survey, less than 10%.<br /><br />This survey would fail any scientific rigor because there was no control group, nor was it randomly assigned. The people participating were more than likely already biased against the start time.<br /><br />So is it fair for 10% of the population to dictate policy to the rest of the district?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-85958982300882654762012-01-10T21:29:46.805-05:002012-01-10T21:29:46.805-05:00The CMS Bell Schedule is an operational issue. No...The CMS Bell Schedule is an operational issue. Not sure this group will get much traction by going to the board. The board has no say in school bell schedules.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-66504625008967383162012-01-10T20:53:24.360-05:002012-01-10T20:53:24.360-05:00I think, as best I can tell, that the main focus o...I think, as best I can tell, that the main focus of the powerpoint is that 9:15 is too late to start the day. Though it woukd be nice to not start high school at the crack of dawn, I wouod assume many people would think 9:15 would be too late for high school as well. I think a request of 8-8:30 is very sensible for all grades, but would likely never happen here. I have a kid starting at 9:15 and one starting school at 8:30. We do enjoy sleeping later than many families, but I miss having a little more time with my kids. We'll be getting up with the roosters in a couple of years for high school. I often feel like I just schlep them straight from school to after school stuff and almost straight to bed some evenings. Some school activities are in the morning, like clubs, girls on the run, tutoring, but anything like local sports or music lessons have to be after school, so it also affects people who teach or run after school activities. One music teacher told me she lost students who no longer had time to have lessons because it had to be so late.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-25652430606087995772012-01-10T20:18:17.503-05:002012-01-10T20:18:17.503-05:00It's interesting that Ann has done about 30 ar...It's interesting that Ann has done about 30 articles going back into November ranging from testing, superintendent search, school board candidates, school board elections, funding, school board appointee for District 6, etc, etc, covering all aspects of education.<br /><br />Yet in all those informative blogs, the largest number of comments I could find was 42 and that was related to the superintendent search.<br /><br />Right now, there are 59 comments on this riveting subject.<br /><br />Everyone seems to be fixated on the start time. OK, move it to 9:15 and let little Johnny sleep until 8:00 so he can stay up until midnight.<br /><br />That's if you have a stay at home parent who can drive you to school or you're old enough to get yourself up and drive to school. Chances are if you have to ride a bus, you'll be getting up earlier than 8:00.<br /><br />The suggested hours of sleep for teens is between 9 and 9 1/2 hours.<br /><br />So in all this hullabaloo over a two hour shift in start time, do you really believe little Johnny is still going to get 9+ hours of sleep?Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-22659229289593595672012-01-10T19:09:17.648-05:002012-01-10T19:09:17.648-05:005:12, I don't understand your objection to the...5:12, I don't understand your objection to the main item (you do know I don't write the comments, unless it has my name?). I said the survey covered 10 schools; I did not say how many schools were involved in the committee because I do not know. I'm here now waiting to hear what the parents say.Ann Doss Helmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03511764376105157616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-9672215680740646082012-01-10T19:05:36.138-05:002012-01-10T19:05:36.138-05:00The majority of the comments are from Observer Emp...The majority of the comments are from Observer Employees and Public School Support Groups.<br /><br />They have to be, from the tone of how much they dislike the taxpaying public.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-34099615818332685512012-01-10T18:45:53.784-05:002012-01-10T18:45:53.784-05:00How many CMS spokespersons are there? What happene...How many CMS spokespersons are there? What happened to LaTarja? Taxpayer money well spent in that department. How may people does it take to spin a terd in a toilet bowl?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-76278406138075438222012-01-10T18:38:11.650-05:002012-01-10T18:38:11.650-05:00I find it interesting some of the comments from &q...I find it interesting some of the comments from "working" parents. Most parents work nowadays I suppose. If your child goes to an early school they are stuck at school, or home alone, for a much longer period of time in the afternoon (unsupervised). Vice versa, if they go to a later starting school, there's less time alone or stuck at school in an afterschool program in the afternoon. Am I missing something??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-27602246411554524492012-01-10T18:32:29.986-05:002012-01-10T18:32:29.986-05:00I would like to thank those SLT members who are pr...I would like to thank those SLT members who are presenting to the board tonight, our school was not allowed to participate!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-6890694970361833972012-01-10T18:28:27.971-05:002012-01-10T18:28:27.971-05:00I work at a 9:15 (ELEM.)school and our end time wa...I work at a 9:15 (ELEM.)school and our end time was changed to 4:15 from 3:30 last year. Typically, the kids start shutting down around 2:30. The last hour of school is more monitoring behavior than teaching. I'm constantly telling kids to sit up, sit down, lift their head, stop talking, pay attention, etc.... Then I remember I have 6 & 7 year olds and their day is too long. Bottom line is the teachers have to work an extra hour with no additional pay, and kids are too tired for any real learning to take place. I don't think they will change it though, because they will say K-2 teachers need the extra time to do all the useless 1 on 1 testing that really gives us no information to improve our students instruction!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-82443600699468456542012-01-10T17:48:14.716-05:002012-01-10T17:48:14.716-05:00Ahhh, 5:12--You've figured it out. Slamming t...Ahhh, 5:12--You've figured it out. Slamming the suburbs has been going on for so long around here that many no longer check facts--just blame whatever on those privileged suburbanites. Look how long it took time for actual facts on disparities in school funding to be published with more than a cursory mention. That gave folks a lot of time to build up anger at the suburbs before they found out the funding truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-55178639804813311962012-01-10T17:46:32.100-05:002012-01-10T17:46:32.100-05:00I normally refrain from posting a comment on a blo...I normally refrain from posting a comment on a blog or story, but as a parent of children in high school (7:15 a.m.) and middle school (9:15 a.m.) that have been negatively impacted by their bell schedules, I feel the need to respond to some of the comments already posted. <br /><br />For the person asking "What 26 page PowerPoint?" - the link is posted in the blog.<br /><br />For the person asking "How many of the 9:15AM start time schools were included in your smaple [sic]?" -- per the second point on the third page of the presentation, 10 of the 15. From what I have been able to find out, not all of the schools wanted to participate. <br /><br />For those saying that it's all about the parents, please note that 1,244 students, 313 faculty members and 1,479 parents responded to the survey, and the responses between the groups were similar.<br /><br />For the 11:49 a.m. post - I actually went to a meeting on this matter that included a member of the school board to hear the reasons for the request to change the schedule. All of the parents discussed issues affecting their kids, not their own schedules. <br /><br />For the 11:51 a.m. post - it seems that your "May God have mercy on their souls" comment would be better suited for those that have done bad things or were caught up in something horrifying, not some parents that seem to be concerned for their child's education and well being. <br /><br />Also, for all of the geographically impaired, I'm new to CMS, but through a quick scan of the CMS website was able to discover "Ballantyne" only has one middle school - Community House (http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/StudentPlacement/Documents/County-wide%20Middle%20School%20Map%202011-12.pdf). As such, it's not a "Ballantyne" issue - it's a CMS issue.<br /><br />I understand that some parents will be against the change being proposed. For those that are, go to the meeting and express your opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-90423768379499829982012-01-10T17:16:14.815-05:002012-01-10T17:16:14.815-05:00Does anyone know which schools the individuals who...Does anyone know which schools the individuals whose names are on the presentation are from? That may answer why this issue, and not many other similar ones facing CMS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-8419641050246189582012-01-10T17:12:54.993-05:002012-01-10T17:12:54.993-05:00Ann Doss Helms needs to check her facts and report...Ann Doss Helms needs to check her facts and report matters accurately. The people presenting the survey findings to the BoE this evening represent the School Leadership Teams from 10 out of 15 of the CMS middle schools with a 4:15PM schedule. School leadership teams are comprised of faculty, teachers and parent representatives. This is not the PTA/PTO. Ann should know this if she has been on the education beat for a decade. Two of the speakers represent the SLTs at Francis Bradley Middle School and Ridge Road Middle School, located in the Northeast. One of the speakers represents the SLT of Community House Middle School, located in south Charlotte. All three are working mothers and deeply committed to making CMS better for our children and for our teachers. Ann, please do not slant future articles to get a rise out of your readers. That tactic should be below your standards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-21376027083619937912012-01-10T17:03:22.429-05:002012-01-10T17:03:22.429-05:00I agree with Anon @1:07-the suburbs should be more...I agree with Anon @1:07-the suburbs should be more focused on the lack of funding. Why does that school mates program still exist? The money and resources should be going the opposite direction! I am only person, but I am talking with my wallet this year-that includes our money raising 24/7 PTA. <br />Also, why is this committee only concerned with middle school? Seems like a few people with spare time found a hobby. Funny that they then are okay with kids waiting for buses before 7am in the dark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-91746303023501016752012-01-10T15:51:01.274-05:002012-01-10T15:51:01.274-05:00"Responses were obtained from 1,244students, ..."Responses were obtained from 1,244students, 313 faculty members and<br />1,479 parents from across Charlotte - Mecklenburg Schools."<br /><br />How many of the 9:15AM start time schools were included in your smaple? <br /><br />The above numbers seem large, yet aren't when one considers the number of students, faculty and parents at the 9:15AM start time schools. <br /><br />My sense is that far too many responses may be from just a few of the Ballantyne area schools.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-498426361947465862012-01-10T15:38:24.699-05:002012-01-10T15:38:24.699-05:00which schools participated in the studey? We go t...which schools participated in the studey? We go to Piedmont Middle and did not get it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-22636408917816547432012-01-10T15:23:16.823-05:002012-01-10T15:23:16.823-05:00Could this issue be another example of why smaller...Could this issue be another example of why smaller community based school systems would be better for students and families (and are better in many parts of the country)? I'm quite sure smaller districts could probably find a compromise solution on bell times that would work for most of its families. For a large system--almost impossible, considering the juggling of buses, the cross county travel for magnets, etc. Also there would not be the nasty swipes at one part of town or another during discussions of the issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-85114349343959056592012-01-10T15:15:02.571-05:002012-01-10T15:15:02.571-05:00I find the opinions being expressed on this blog b...I find the opinions being expressed on this blog both entertaining and at times enlightening. But, they are just that, opinions. I fail to see where there is any concrete evidence to support changing the bell schedule to an earlier time. Plus, if CMS were in the least bit inclined to do so, don't you think they already would have moved the HS start times back to satisfy the high school aged student's sleep requirements?<br /><br />If you don't like these times, put your child in a private school! If you don't want or can't afford to put your child in a private school, move!<br /><br />CMS doesn't care!! Mecklenburg County doesn't care!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-72812255395710979252012-01-10T15:06:33.138-05:002012-01-10T15:06:33.138-05:00There's lots of serious psychological research...There's lots of serious psychological research out there on the sleep issue. A huge percentage of adolescents go through a prolonged period of development when their natural sleep cycle is offset by several hours, making it very difficult for them to go to sleep until late at night, while still needing at least 8 hours of sleep a night. The negative effects on cognitive functioning (being alert, being able to learn and remember, etc.) due to sleep deprivation are also well-documented. Go look at an early morning HS class and see how many kids are sleeping. If you care about classroom learning, the late schedules are a good thing.James Hathawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11296720304198719066noreply@blogger.com