To think all of this bickering could have been avoided if Doyle had not vetoed a bill that would have eliminated the 180 day rule, and solely required the school district to adhere to a certain number of hours of instruction each school year.

I go to Craig and I know at least on one of the Saturdays we are going to watch Jim Wand who is a hypnotist. He was good but its definitely a waste of time in my opinion.

I kno i anit goin i work(fazoli's) and we get super busy on saturdays............. Dustin (breadstickman)

Shadow 77 is correct. Employers may not schedule students to work on required school days.

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[quote from the State of Wisconsin]
State child labor laws prohibit work during times that minors are required to be in school, except for students participating in work experience and career exploration programs operated by the school.

Link at: http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dwd/publicati... (see information below the table)

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So that shoots the whole "my kid needs to work" excuse. They may not legally be scheduled to work. Employers in violaiton of this can face fines. Students not in school may be considered truant and fined as well.

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Keeping your kid home to watch movies (or just sleep through the morning) is bad parenting - plain and simple. Teachers just using the day to show movies is bad teaching - and should be reprimanded. Schools should be required to teach regular curriculum on those days.

Keep them home. The school district are the ones that weren't wise enough to schedule extra snow days, so let them go to school and watch movies. What education do you really think kids are going to recieve on Saturday? I'm keeping mine home because they'll learn just as much home watching movies as they will at school watching movies.I wonder do you really think the people running the district will be in their offices on Saturday?

If I go to school on Saturdays can I learn to be a business owner who calls people names too? Fine pillar of the community there sir.

I doubt the students that get "let out" for sports get a free pass on those classes for the day. I'm pretty sure they have to make everything that they miss up.

To the people that state their child will skip school to work on the given Saturdays, that decision may not be up to you. Unless your child is 18, the employer probably will not be able to schedule them on those days due to child labor laws -- just as they cannot schedule them to work on a regular school day. I'm not positive, but it's very possible. Those laws are pretty strict!

As a secretary in the SDJ, you can bet I will be expected to work on a Saturday (after I had to give up vacation days to remain home with my kids on the snow days). There are a lot of decisions the district makes I don't agree with, but I wouldn't want their jobs, so I try not to complain too much. I do hope they see the problems that have come with only building in one snow day for the year and build in more for future years. And, if for no other reason than the fact that I have to work, my kids will go to school on Saturdays. None of us will love giving up Saturdays, but that's life.

You are right about the sports. I find it interesting that school can let out early just for a team to go to state. I realize that school spirit is important too, but if classroom time is the main concern here of some parents, then why don't they complain about that.

It is interesting that many of the posts have centered around how important education is and how detrimental it would be to the students education to miss two make up days. However, if you have a high school student that is an athlete, no one bats an eye that students are pulled out of classes to ride the bus or in the case of some golf tournaments, miss most if not the entire day. Why then is it OK for them but not others?

Are you kidding me Saturday school and I should be jumping up and down for joy? All that means to many families is a lot of headache, switching scheduals at work, daycare (if you can get it on a Sat.) child visitation issues (yes some parents will work around it, but I know of several who will use it against the other parent in court), sports activitities/games, and not to mention family time & travel plans.

I say again, I believe school is VERY important, but there are things other than 4hrs of "fun - movie" time that my child can and will be doing on a Saturday.One of them is spend precious time with her dying grandfather.

I own a business. I employ high school students. I expect they will be in school on those Saturdays and not at work. While I do have a business to run I expect they put education first. I will do my part to help mold them into well rounded adults, could the parents help too?

And we wonder were children get there work ethic. Listen to some of these LOSERS who feel above the law.

I'm pretty sure there are laws that if your kids are supposed to be in school even on a Saturday--that an employer can't have them there, even if they do skip school.

I just don't understand why the parents aren't jumping up and down for two Saturdays where you can be by yourself...I don't have kids but that was the first thing I thought of.

Rocky: "Did any of you ever work a job with mandatory overtime?" yes I have and just think if your employer said that you had to come in or lose your job what would you do? Jobs are hard to find and keep these days! ( I had a friend who worked for a company for 20 years and was down sized, it took him months to get a job) as roadking stated his son is working to pay needed bills,that will help him to further his education not just for fun and games.There are many teens out there that help to support their families, and $75.00 may be a fortune to them.

So if you are going to school, and have a job and you are faced with the decision of losing that job if you don't show up for work what would you do?

packrat....Parker is still letting out for championship games...but only if it is football or basketball

what bonehead let the district sign a contract that did not allow for at least a couple days after the last day in case of snow days (we do live in wisconsin)...

eire...after rereading my last post I want to clairify something...there are great teachers at Parker that did help me, encourage me, and teach me lifelong lessons...however at the same time I was truant a vast majority of my second semester of my senior year (after AP tests were done movies were shown in class...didn't see the importance of going to school to see a movie) and my parents were notified 2 weeks AFTER I had graduated...give me a break! A straight "A" student goes to the everyother day plan and you dont even pick up a phone and notify her parents!!! And I also might add that I graduated without even being given a single detention!!Whether this responsibility lies with teachers or administration somebody passed the buck....

Seriously - is the $75 your kids might make working those two mornings ( 5 hours each at 7.50/hr) going to make or break their college career? Or is it just going for gas money and movies? With a few weeks notice I'm sure every employer of teens in town will know that they are supposed to be in school and adjust schedules, accordingly. A job "making them work" is a pretty lame excuse. Most kids can request time off when they want to do something....

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So for all the "not on Saturday" crowd - what do you suggest? The school MUST BY LAW make up the two days. They cannot do so in summer because of the construction schedule. Spring break is too close at this point. Seriously - what is your solution???

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Did any of you ever work a job with mandatory overtime? I have. Sometimes 14 consecutive days to get things done. Nobody died. Nobody freaked out. Do the work when it needs to be done. Same deal here. I don't think going to school on a couple saturday mornings is going to ruin anyone's mental health! (Although it was the most amusing excuse I've read so far!)

RoadKing: Well said ! Sounds like your son is thinking ahead to his future, taking the time to weigh the options and choosing the best path for him. Missing 2 lousy Sat school makeup days will not hurt him at all. Best of luck to him.

This is about teaching my kids how to set priorities. Missing a makeup day to be at work isn't much of a choice to begin with. On the one hand missing two days of school on Saturday will not affect their grades or have a negative impact on their transcripts for college. On the other hand losing a job would mean not being able to pay the insurance and not be able to drive to look for a new job. This will make it extremely difficult for my son to pay for his books and college tuition much less make it to school. My son was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He has to work for what he gets and will be paying for his own college education. So is it a matter of valuing insurance over education? Not really. It's about not sacrificing the long term education of my son for the districts short sighted Saturday fix to appease the state. My son won't be there on Saturday because he is being taught to value his future, not just his education.

I will be sending my kids to saturday classes, however I have to play both sides of the fence on this debate. I had to miss several days of work also, and I don't get "make up days." That also means losing out on that 3 or 4 days of paycheck I won't be getting. How is that teaching fainess to our children? Plus, having an 18yo student who works, and asking them to miss work for school, or vice versa, isn't fair either way. We want to teach them responsibility, yet ask them to choose between the two? How can we do that without telling them what to do, versus Teaching them to think and do things for themselves?

billnewbie: I welcome any and all comments - it is the perfect way to vent about how we are feeling. I do not want to silence others opinions, only to ask that because of what opinions I have, please don't assume you know me or my values. In fact I look forward to ALL of the comments on this or any of the blogs. If I sounded like I was trying to deny your opinion, I am sorry.

I find it disturbing that people who object to being judged about their opinions and feelings see no contradiction in their argument when they accuse others of insensibility in their opinions. I suspect they resort to such argument in an attempt to silence opposing comment. That or they reserve the right to judge for themselves, but would deny it to others.

I just want to give my opinion on Doyle. According to the Gazette, the bill that would have waived the snow days passed in both houses and when placed on Doyle's desk, he vetoed it. That was a stupid decision, Doyle wont be getting many votes for the graduating class of 08. We have enough hours, why do we need 180 "days"?

I just emailed the governor, please feel free to email as well, the more emails he gets, the better the chances we can get a "pardon" from him or at the very least have his office contact the DPI and see if they can reverse their decision.

Dear Governor Doyle,
I am writing to ask you if it is possible for you to override the DPI's denial for our City & County's request for the snow days to be waived. As a parent of of elementary child in Janesville, so far the only way to meet the 180 day requirement (even though we have the hours requirement fufilled) is to make up 2 snow days. As our school district has failed to build in enough snow days, our options for making them up can only come down to shortening spring break or to go on Saturdays. So far Janesville School district prefers the Saturdays.There has been much discussion in the Janesville Gazettes blogs that many students would'nt even attend a Sat. and that most of the classes would only be showing "movies". This made it became clear to me that pehaps we should ask for your help.
You as Govenor had called a state of emergency for all of Rock County, because of that snow storm, and I think it is only right that these days be waived, especially since we will have the required numbers hours fufilled. If this had been a school shooting(heaven forbid) or perhaps a another weather related event (tornado in area or flooding ?? etc..)that shut down our schools, I do believe that the DPI would have granted us a waiver, but won't just because it was snow.
This was a extreme and unusual occurance and I ask that you look into this request. I also want to ask you how it is that the DPI thinks that 4hrs on a Saturday equals a full day of school? If we were to make up these days, shouldn't they be full days as well?And please clarify why if we meet the hour requirements , why is there a 180 day requirement as well?
I thank you for your time in reading this and ask you to please consider this request

I posted this response on another blog, and I thought I would repeat it here.

CC88: Just to let you know my daughter has only missed 1 day this year! She even has earned perfect attendance in the past. Just because I decided that I will not send her for Sat school, does not mean she is part of a high absentee average.

We visit family on weekends and to me that is way more important than 4 hrs of a "movie" on a Sat school. (Yes some teachers may actually teach, but I know my daughters school is planning on movies for the days.)

Two of our realtives are not well and one is at home dying, so I am sorry if you think that by spending all of our Saturday time with them is less important than Sat. school.

By the way I do vote also ! Please don't assume that becauuse people obect to something, that they are non voters or uncaring about the government process. What the main reason people here are complaing aboput is the Sat School, we are just venting our anger at the JSD for not planning better, and for the fact that this winter is getting on peoples nerves. Lives are complicated and throwing a monkey wrecnch of Sat school in to things just messes things up and we need to vent about it.
Seriously if some people think that it is important to send your child on a Sat to show responsiblity, then by all means do so, but for those of us that feel the oposite, that family is more important(or perhaps other commitments) then I say don't judge us as irresponsible parents, we just disagree with you.

Oh for crying out loud!!
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I just received a telephone call from Badger High School indicating that school will be dismissed early on Thursday (11am) because the basketball team is going to State.
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Yes, it is important to support the kids and school functions, but early dismissal for a basketball game? I am certain this would not be an option if this were for the Arts!
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We wonder why youth today (and many parents) cannot get their priorities in order...
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Our great country is in trouble folks!

what about the sports/other school activies built into satuday's? Like sports games/practives,concerts, Janesville schools has 3 sports things yesterday aloneand it's not even spring yet.I think there are other options like add the days to the end of the year? cut spring break?cut inservice days?build snow days into the calender. I think it's very unresonable that DPI will not even grant the waiver. Contact your local legaslators they can force DPI to change thier mind. THE WSP messed up on these days looks like DPI will also. I known for a fact on THursday the 7th JPD was out in pickups with plows going through neighbohhods so that was no way school could have been held on that day.

Memorial Day was mentioned as an option. This should not even be considered. Memorial Day is a day we, as Americans, honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so WE can sit here and debate this issue! No, I am not a veteran but thank them every opportunity.

If Saturday is a make-up day - so be it. If spring break has make-up days - so be it. Our society has gone from doing what is right to "me first".

"I'll do that ONLY if it is CONVENIENT for me!" is an attitude way too prevalent today.

We wanted to take a vacation this year but the dates we would have liked conflicted with two different courses that our child "should take" to assist her in school. Could we have her skip those classes? Certainly. Will we? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

We will adjust and try a couple of short get-a-ways instead. If it turns out we can't go, so be it!

People, you have to get your priorities in order... and it is NOT always "me first"!

It is a student's responsibility to learn. It is a teacher's and parent's responsibility to teach. The law requires 180 days. We should send our kids to school and see that they attend. We have enough trouble with people who think that rules, and laws, need not be adhered to when it does not suit them. Here is an opportunity to teach otherwise. After all, it's just 2 Saturdays.

StaceyU2 - I remember snow days going to a rural school. We made them up at the end of the year. I take issue of required school on Saturday. This is not well thought out. What about the increased stress on students not having time off to decompress.. Who is going to take responsibility when someone freaks out because they have been at school all but 4 days in a month. As much is it is hard on us, is anyone thinking about what Saturday school will do to the kids. What about the students who have religious obligations on Saturday? The days can be made up skipping part of spring break. That makes more sense, there still will be some vacation. **To all who think this is about not prioritizing education** Saturday school is not prioritizing education, it is prioritizing another issue. There are many published studies that show workers who work overtime are less productive, are there studies about students going to school 6 days a week.. How about some thoughtful response to why Saturday?

StaceyU2
u know... you all are complainers...
Excuse me, I'm not complaining.

You know... you all are complainers... When I was kid in the '70's.. We had snow like this every year, I too went to Janesville Schools and Hated every day that the other district closed school for one reason or another, but when we had a "Snow Day" We all running in the street screaming (for Joy)..
We had to make up those day also. I do not remember what days or when we made them up But we did.. I do not remember my parents COMPLAINING about the make up days..If they decide to have make up days.. Deal with it.. and to those who say.."MY KID WILL NOT ATTEND"..come on.. This is a scheduled day of school, just like any other day, would you keep you kid out of school just because??? I doubt it (or maybe your ignorant to do so. and I feel real sorry for you that do )..
extra days, How about removing an in-service day or 2, Shorter spring break, or like someone mentioned.. Even Memorial Day.. any of those would work for me..My Kids deserve an education, and if it takes a few extra days, so be it.. I guess I have a weird kid, she actually likes school..
My Kids are not in the JVL school dist.. but we have the same issues.. i am going to send my kids to what ever day(s) they decide to make-up..
and you should too!!!

My children will go to school on Saturday. My children will go to summer school. If my children had to make up a day or two in summer school they would do that too. AND LIFE GOES ON!

I value education and I want my kids to value education. They will be present whatever the days that are chosen for the make-up days.

"JONWAYNE89" BETTER KNOW AS MIRIAM : KIDS ARE NOT LAZY ! MAYBE YOU ARE LAZY ? WE KNOW YOU ARE SPOILED BECAUSE ALL YOU DO IS COMPLAIN !

OMG Anyone think these SPOILED LITTLE BRATS will go to school on Saturday ? thats a extra day the SUV Parent will have to get up and drive them 4 blocks to school . put the days on at the end of the year like they did 10-15 years ago , what is a couple extra days in the spring , it is a couple less days of kids being lazy ..

I use to be a student at parker and I agree with anyone that says the entire school district is messed up. I totally agree, everything is done backwards and makes almost no sense. What are we talking about here, 3 days? Big deal. Like most people have said, we do live in wisconsin and putting ONE whole snowday in the calandar makes almost as much sense as the war in Iraq. When I was a senior me and some buddies took off to colorado for a week to go snowboarding. I also took off for many other trips and ya know what, I graduated in the top 10% of my class. Im in my senior year at UW-Milwaukee and about to graduate, I didnt turn out so bad now did I. You people act like those 3 days are going to destroy their future. Just let it go. If i was still in school theres no way in hell I would go on saturday and my parents would support me because they know I did good in school. What about kids that jobs? You parents; what if your employer said, "Oh you need to come into work the next 3 or 4 saturdays or sundays." I bet you would have an issue with that, and your getting paid overtime probably. Thats all I got to say, and you think im alone in this, read "bbeechler" comment, they've been through it too.

Joker - how many times does it have to be said? You cannot add hours to make up for missed days. The State requires 180 days AND a certain number of hours (1175?). Janesville has the required hours but NOT the required days. Adding hours is not an option for Janesville. The days must be made up. My question - how about Memorial Day?

I understand they need so many days of education. why dont they ad them into the schedule to start with afterall this is wisconsin it does snow here. Saturday morning school at this point isnt the answer atendance will be so low that it would be a waste of time for the teachers and families. The teachers are already without a contract and famlies that have shared placement schedules wouldnt work out either. Starting school 1/2 hour early or holding it 1/2 hour later isnt a terrible thing to consider. But making the kids come in on saturday or over spring break i dont think is the answer at this point.

ABC - some day when you grow up you will understand what I'm saying (provided you stay in school and get a decent post-secondary education). You will also understand that Janesville, while a perfectly nice place to live, is not the center of the universe. Teachers are under contract to be there and most will attend.

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Cougar has it right. The teachers here don't have a chance with the attitudes expressed by the parents on this forum. Saturday is not a punishment - it is an opportunity to make up lost time and curriculum. If the teachers don't use it for positive academic purposes, then shame on them. If kids are refusing to come, let them bear the consequences of their absence. I think it would be a great day for the old "100 bonus point pop quiz - write your name!". Absent students need not apply.

My kids willl not go to school on Saturday. I don't care what they miss they will not be there.

Teachers have no chance of succeeding in this town. If they teach the curriculum on these Saturdays, people will complain because their children missed important material. If they show a video, they are horrible teachers. Heck, when you ask children what they did over the weekend, most say they mainly watched tv (and inappropriate tv at that).

bbeechler I am a teacher at Parker (I may even have had you in class) and am sad to read you have used your intrinsic motivation and determination for your education as a slam that the whole district is joke. If you did not receive the support, help, information.....????? from your education here what could remedy that?

We need young people who know what the fix is in the profession of teaching so that every kid gets the teacher(s) he/she deserves. Come and join us so that the next student who feels like you did can be helped to meet his highest potential.

I will NOT be showing a movie on the make up days.

To Rocky: For one, stop referring to Janesville as "this town." Some of us actually are proud of where we live.

Also, I am a senior at Craig, however, that does not make school my job(this isn't Japan.) Some of us actually do have to pay for gas and car insurance. I do value my education, as do my teachers, yet without a job, I would not be able to afford college. Also, my job working in a restaurant, will prepare me for future career as a chef (that's my job.)

Saturdays are the absolute worst day to make up school, there have been, and will be, too many other opportunities to make up school during the regular school week. Videos will be shown in most classrooms, as discussed by some of my teachers already. This isn't to say they don't value education, just that conflicts will arise and attended will not be 100%. I will not go to school on a Saturday and I would guess 60% of the school will not be there (including teachers.)

yes,thanks for the correction,I caught it as soon as I hit enter "entitled".My appologies,and yes, I feel as though they are.They work hard all week,do their work,homework,get good grades,don't miss school unless ill and in my opinion they deserve a 2 day rest,if you will.But if you're all gonna attack me,I'll throw another one out there for ya.I'm also apposed to all day kindergarten!!WOW I'M TERRIBLE!!I just feel kids need a rest,especially little ones.And yes as a class of 95 i can tell you,it will be nothing but movies.They can watch movies at home.What does that teach them? Anyhow,feel the way you do,my minds made up,was the second i read the article,my children wont be there on a saturday.Now,a conference on a saturday and or sunday and school on the off for conference days,I'm not opposed to that at all,but our family weekends are our time together,you only get that so long,then their grown and it's friends time.I'm sorry but I'm taking every second I get with them.

This dilemma is multi-facetted. First of all, if parents let their kids "skip" Saturdays for whatever reason, does that not send the message that it is OK to skip out on responsibilities and committments? However, this isn't just about kids needing to work for car insurance money, or parents who have to work , blended families and their placement schedules, vacations and the like. Look at the support staff (and by this I am NOT including teachers). I would assume the schools will need lunch hostesses, janitorial staff, secretaries, etc.., on those Saturdays. What if those ADULTS cannot be to work on a Saturday. I understand we cannot please all of the people of the time. It would have been my wish that the DPI took all of this into account (in addition to area businesses, health care facilities, transportation services, etc.., being closed down) before they made their decision. Someone on another thread mentioned Gov. Doyle getting involved. Does anyone know if this is even a possibility? It seems ridiculous if the SDJ has the amount of instructional hours covered, but all this fuss is because they don't have the required number of days.

"My children are ENTITLED to a 2-day weekend"......

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Your children are entitled to an education. What message are you sending by keeping them home? Answer: Education isn't as important as your leisure time. Sad.

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bbechler - I haven't yet had kids at the HIgh School level. At the elementary level I have been very pleased with the professionalism of the teachers. If what you say is true, then the problem lies with an administration that is allolwing such horrible practices Make the days worth something.

FACE IT NO MATTER WHAT IS DECIDED THERE WILL BE THOSE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE UPSET BY THE DECISION. IT IS LIKE THAT OLD SAYING YOU CAN MAKE SOME OF THE PEOPLE HAPPY SOME OF THE TIME BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY ALL THE TIME. (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT)

I would have to say that there would be an awful lot of videos being show on those Saturday make-up days.

Rocky...apparently you have never been through the janesville district...being a 2003 graduate I can assure you that Saturday school will be a waste of everyones time. My guess is about 50% of kids will show up to watch whatever movie it is the teachers think will be good for that day. The school system here is a joke...I graduated with 6 AP classes under my belt and a 4.3 gpa and I can assure you that it was my motivation and determination that was rewarded...not the teachers or administration who could have cared less had I been there

ibiubu1334wi Your a lost cause No futher comment needed!

In my opinion my children are intitled to a 2 day weekend.It is not even slightly their fault that janesville schools, unlike most others in the area, have no snow days built into their calendar.we live in wisconsin,we get snow,no big surprise here,right?everything was closed on these days.walmart shopko EVEN MERCY,it was not safe or sane to be on the roads,not my childrens fault.I do value my childrens education,they know school comes first to them,but I as a parent choose to draw the line somewhere.does walmart have to stay open on christmas day now that they closed to make up for their snow day?the clinics open on a sunday to make up missed appts.?I'm guessing that's a big ol no.

The very fact that this is even a question shows just how little people value their education in this town. "I need to make money for car insurance" shows where the priorities really lie. Probably also be the first parent to complain if something is covered that day and their kid doesn't' get it. Work is not more important than school.

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Of course this is really no surprise in this town. I've never seen a place where so many of my kids' friends are gone on vacation with their parents because their vacation time didn't match up with the school's vacation. School is treated as an afterthought - something that must be done but can be missed if something (anything) else comes up. Parents have the calendar a couple years in advanced and could plan around it, but can't be bothered to do so. Pathetic. At my house the kids know that school IS their job and only a family emergency would take priority. My kids will be in school on the extra days.

My son works on Saturday mornings. He doesn't get many hours as it is. This puts a strain on my son, his boss, and me if I have to pay his car insurance because he lost his job. I'd rather he just take the absence and go to work.