Pow#3

Dear Dr. Berry

     There is some talk about adding extra days to the school year in order to make up the days we missed because of the snow days. Some people say we should add extra days, while others say it is a waste of time, since because of the allotted snow days, we would just have to make up two days. I think we should not have to make it up. The reason I believe this is because the rest of the school year, including finals, is already set and it would cost more money to change the schedule, as well as extending the cost of being at school.

     I have heard the reason that some people think we should extend the school year is because they feel the extra days will be an opportunity to learn more. Others say that extra days gives students who are not planning anything constructive during the summer something to do. This could keep them out of trouble. I have doubts that the short time added will accomplish either of these facts.

     One of the reasons I believe the school year should not be extended is because the dates for final exams are already set, this means that there will be little motivation for students to learn anything after the finals, since they know that there will be no more tests. Also, the teacher's lessons would be done, and they would have to think of something else to do, such as a new lesson or show a movie. If the textbooks were already turned in, there would be no materials to extend a lesson plan. What would the students really be doing in those two days? They would most likely just be sitting there. Some might not even show up. Others might have vacation plans which they will not give up and would just go on their vacations. Also seniors are not require to attend any extra days.


     Another reason I believe that there should not be any more school days added is because It would cost more money to have these days. You would have to pay the teachers and every one else who works there. You would have overhead, like having to pay the electricity and air conditioning, since it would be summer and will likely be hot. The school would also need to buy more food for the lunches on these other days.


     In my opinion, the cost of extending the school year at this point would far exceed the benefits, unless we have more snow days, which seems unlikely at this point. It is not necessary to alter the schedule or the dates for finals at this point, since students should be able to complete the teachers lesson plans in the time remaining as originally planned. Many teachers have already made the necessary adjustments in their plans to account for the recent snow days. Any extension would likely be only adding time the students need to be in class, not in the quality of learning. Many would likely show movies, or another time consuming project in the added days, instead of increasing a lesson plan. I am asking you to take what I have said into consideration as you make your final decision.




Sincerely, Elizabeth Hoback