Late Starts

A reader posted a comment to the School Sign article below and objected to "late starts."

I wonder how many other parents of students in District 200 schools find their morning routines bounced out of kilter by these one-hour delays to the school day.

Perhaps a school administrator will comment here and explain what late starts are really for. When I have been in schools on some of those mornings, some teachers are at their desks with their noses in paperwork. In my opinion, a one-hour delay so teachers can catch up on paperwork is something that parents ought to be screaming at the School Board about, before the next year's calendar in finalized.

The School Board is unconscious about the disruption in morning routines for students AND for parents when it schedules so many Late Starts. And the ripple effect is wide.

Parents who carpool must drive themselves to work (and back) that day, resulting in added commuting expense. Parents who work hourly jobs lose at least one hour's pay. Parents who have bosses who are intolerant about tardiness, regardless of reason, might find their jobs or pay at risk.

The School Board will not listen if only a few parents bark occasionally.

If three parents (out of hundreds? thousands?) showed up every month at school board meetings, the Board members would be shocked. But will they listen and act? No.

The School Board is unconscious about the disruption in morning routines for students AND parents when it schedules so many Late Starts. The School Board will not listen if a few parents bark occasionally.

They WILL listen if many parents show up at one meeting and insist on correction of this silly scheduling. Owners or representatives of businesses should show up at Board meetings, too, and explain the economic impact on their businesses, when employee-parents show up an hour late once or twice a month.

What about it, parents? How do you feel about late starts for your school-age children?