December 17, 2007 11:55 AM
Loudoun Valley High School has no power today
I got a cell phone call from my daughter Sophia who went back to school today after being ill. She wanted me to call the school to give her permission to leave.
There is no power at LVHS today - no heat or light.
Yet they are keeping the kids in school until 1:30.
Sophia says they say they have to keep the kids in school until after lunch because otherwise there are many kids who will not get a lunch.
What do you think about that?
I think it has to do with funding.
Posted in Loudoun County, Public schools | Permalink
Comments
My guess is scheduling. If they are there that long it officially counts as a "full" day of school and then they won't have to add a day at the end of the year.
Posted by: Karen | December 17, 2007 12:11 PM
Both of my parents are teachers in OK. Until 1:30 is considered a full day of school. This is a high school...kids wouldn't have lunch...give me a break! My little home town has a lot of poorer families. They would still have lunch. What are they going to feed them if there is no power to run the kitchen? That is exactly why schools were out here in OK for a week! No power, no kitchen to feed them! Sounds like a funding thing to me!!! Or a way to not have to use a snow day, or add a day on at the end of the year!
Posted by: Sara | December 17, 2007 12:12 PM
I agree with you, I know in KY (where I live) they will not call school until after noon because of funding...It never occurred to me that the side benefit would be for those children who get state lunches.
However, I doubt you can eat if your are frozen in an icecube.
Posted by: Molly | December 17, 2007 12:31 PM
As a former teacher, I agree that it's (mainly) about funding and not having to make up a day. The lunch part for the kids is an added reason, but probably not the main one.
Posted by: Lori | December 17, 2007 1:00 PM
If it's the same there as it is here in MI, that's a funding and day-counting scheme! Five hours counts as a "full day" so if school started at 8:30am, I'd lean towards a staff and administrator who doesn't want to use a snow day.
Posted by: Beth/Mom2TwoVikings | December 17, 2007 3:28 PM
It is true. Some kids really wouldn't get lunch otherwise. I have worked in city recreation summer programs and seen the children that were too hungry to play. It is really sad to see. It is also sad that the school is now feeding so many children breakfast and lunch.
Posted by: angie | December 17, 2007 3:34 PM
they don't get paid until after attendance...
sad, but true.
Posted by: suzanne | December 17, 2007 3:37 PM
My husband is a high school assistant principal, and his school has had problems in the past with the power going out. It's a complex situation with more to consider than just lunches or snow days.
Will the power come back on ten minutes after we dismiss?
How many kids will go home to empty houses (and maybe even be locked out)?
Not every family has someone at home all day to welcome a child home, especially when it is unexpected.
And it's not just the teachers and administrators who don't want to use up a snow day. The kids don't want to be in school any later in the spring either!
And yes, my hubby could break your heart with stories of pitiful kids who would miss lunch that day if they had to be sent home unexpectedly.
Posted by: Missy | December 17, 2007 10:16 PM
In some of our districts the issues are also that the buses are not available to pick the kids up early for a dismissal. Our buses are on a complex schedule and only have minutes to spare between pick ups and drop offs at the schools. So, sometimes the only option is after lunch. Plus, perhaps waiting until 1:30pm gives the school time to contact parents and guardians to release kids. Many parents could not just come home to their kids, so they have to find alternative care for their children for that unexpected early release.
Posted by: Imajackson | December 20, 2007 11:07 AM
