High Gas prices cause 4 day school week
http://perezhilton.com/2008-08-18-even-kids-are-hurting
The effect of the bad economy is being felt by most, even by kids returning to school this Fall.
With prices going up, especially that of gas, schools are trying their hardest to cut down on costs.
Some schools have even opted for a four-day school week!
In rural Minnesota, one district has decided to cancel classes every Monday in order to save fuel. This will in turn make each class about 10 minutes longer on the other days. One day less will result in a savings of $65,000 in fuel costs.
Gosh, we would have loved this when we were in school! But, are kids going to be receiving the best possible education this way????
Some parents of the small town love the idea, stating, "I think it's a great opportunity. You're cutting expenses that really don't affect school."
The downside is that kids will need to stay in school later in the days from Tuesday through Friday and parents will need to find daycare for Monday. With only about 700 students in the district, and most parents being self-employed in farming or construction, that doesn't pose too much of a problem.
At least 14 other districts in the US are switching to four-day weeks, with several others considering the switch.
And, in some districts where they are charged for bus service, like in San Jose, CA, parents will be stuck paying more. Hundreds of districts are also cutting or consolidating bus routes, causing kids to take longer walks to the bus stops.
Some are trying to cut down on costs by not re-ordering new textbooks. Students will be using textbooks from the previous year. That's not too unusual.
Some cities, like South Carolina, are having to spend their entire traveling budget on gas instead of buying new buses, most of which at 12 years old.
In Jacksonville, school lunch prices are going up from $1.45 to $2.00 for secondary schools, which is considered a "huge jump" by some.
And some schools are cutting down on field trips, or making parents pay for trips that are more than two hours away.
We hope the kids don't suffer!!!!!
What do you guys think, is a 4 day school week enough?
You guys should try living in Europe where the prices are double..
Its all about supply and demand.. The West has to get its finger out and either develop new fields or develop new modes of energy..
Gas right now is a little under $4. Even though $3.97 is still a lot for one gallon of gas, most people are saying that gas is cheaper. It's so sad a gallon of gas for $3.97 is considered cheaper now.
A lot of businesses are starting to do the four day week too because many employees are complaining that they are spending too much on gas. I guess like the businesses, the students are going to have a longer school day in order to make up for the day that they will be missing. I for one love four day work week but I don't appreciate gas being so expensive