Request denied... it's all over now except for the crying...

I hope that teachers will treat these make up days as any other school day and teach the kids who do show up. As for the parents who do not want to send their kids, don't. It will serve as a great lesson for those wishing to pursue college. The lesson being that school does not stop just because you are absent and it becomes your responsibility to make up what you missed no matter how much extra stress it adds to your life.

I like that one...Dream interpretation, that sounds like a plan to me. Oh yeah "Sunday school" that will go over really well with the seperation of church and state.LOL Let's just stay with the sleeping.... Oh I mean dream interpretation.

Nobody has mentioned making it up on a SUNDAY.
Even that day is no longer sacred. Just look at all the youth sports programs that are scheduled on Sundays.
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OR,,,,,,How 'bout we make it up starting at MIDNIGHT on a Friday and let everyone sleep so they can be well rested to begin their spring break. Then when they get back they can write an essay on dream interpretation to fullfill the academic requirement (if there even is one).

Midnight to 4:00 AM

wisconsinheat: I know most people do have plans for flying somewhere warm - I do wish I did.But when you think about it logicaly, if school is held for 4 hours on one of the spring break days, then parents still have the option of not sending their kids, but it will make it a bit easier for many others than going on a Sat. I think the absenteeism would be less if done durring spring break, but I could and have been wrong before.

twerp13...I don't disagree with you but stand by for the fallout on that one. Seems like everyone but you and me have airline tickets to warmer climates for spring break.
Personally, I think we should go back to 2-3 days off at Easter and condense the whole calender. But that's a contract issue I think.

sluggo: it was a comment made by cc88 that got my feathers ruffled up. Just read the post below by him/her. I took it to mean that because I am stating that my daughter won't be going to school on a Sat. that she must be lazy, and have a high absentee rate. I just wanted to set the record straight. I also felt that this person was making an assumption as well, that I must not be a voter or care about education. Just venting here LOL

wisconsinheat: I would much prefer to have the days waived by the DPI or the governor, but that dosn't seem to be what is going to happen. I then suggest that we take 1 day off of spring break (remember it dosn't seem to have to be a full day) and a part of the first day of summer school. Heck if 4 hrs equals a full day, then this should be no problem. Construction is not going to be that affected, neither is summer school, and this way Saturdays are left alone and everyones life from employers, students, parents and teachers/staff, won't be as disrupted as much.
Don't know just a suggestion I guess.

twerp13....Just curious but, knowing what the state is requiring, what is your suggestion to meet the requirement but avoid Saturday make-up?

wow a bit defensive are we twerp and tom1? Who is judging you? I would love to see some better ideas from the 'complainers' instead of unproductive crabbing. Life will go on.

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.

To AJ and all the teachers - THANK YOU for the work you do every day and the work you'll do on those two dreaded Saturdays. I welcome opportunities to teach my kids early and often that life isn't fair but a good outlook will get you through every time.

To parents - This isn't a death sentence, folks. I suppose your kids have more absenteeism than average, thanks to the fine example you're setting by finding every excuse not to send them, and assigning blame before even reading up on the issue. That doesn't bode well for their future.

This whole debate reminds me of the voting process. So many Americans take this right for granted and don't bother voting, yet complain about our government. Meanwhile people in other countries are literally dying for the right to vote, begging to be educated, etc.

I can definitely understand your frustration aj.

I'll admit it, I see what you are saying and I don't think that what I said came out right. Perhaps it was the frustration having the entire public everyday discussing my job and how I should be doing it. If you don't teach, though, it's hard to explain how difficult it is to get everyone on track when many of your students are gone. My job is to make sure everyone learns so I have a hard time saying to the students who are not there (who may or may not have legitimate reasons) too bad, figure it out on your own time.

I sure hope aj is not one of my childs teachers. As I, and others, have said, don't waste my child's time, and don't enable truency by not teaching. I can understand not wanting to schedule a quiz or exam for that day, but please teach. Maybe give extra credit for those that do show up.

IMHO, school is a childs most important responsibility, not a JOB. They will have the rest of their lives to work. Businesses will adapt.

You have to have 180 days of class or the school year does not count. That is the law in Wisconsin.

This seems to be a perfect opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have "learned" from the recent contract negotiations: Only report to school based on the contract (the published school calendar), stage sick-outs to demonstrate your frustrations and protest in front of schools.

Wow, aj! I hope the rest of our teachers have a better outlook of their teaching than what you do.
A teacher that doesn't give it her/his all, but yet expects their students to? That is very sad.

aj:
" if 50% of my students show up, I certainly am not going to "give it my all" (like I'm sure all of you out there do everyday at your jobs) just to reteach to the other 50% the following Monday! It's not a matter of respecting a Saturday - it's about common sense."
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I would think it would be about respecting the students that showed responsibility by showing up and their parents that showed responsibility by making sure they did.
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They deserve your "all", whether it's a Saturday or not. The ones who are truant should not dictate how you teach.
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It is that type of attitude that fuels the fire in the teacher contract dispute and pits the public against the teachers. You are getting paid to teach on that day and you should, 100%. It doesn't matter if someone else slacks off at their job.

SarahB - Please refer to my original comment about how this situation is completely different than somebody being called in to work. This affects a huge number of people and it isn't as simple as you are making it sound.
Also, if 50% of my students show up, I certainly am not going to "give it my all" (like I'm sure all of you out there do everyday at your jobs) just to reteach to the other 50% the following Monday! It's not a matter of respecting a Saturday - it's about common sense.

MY KIDS ALSO HAVE COMMITMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE WEEKENDS AND THESE COMMITMENTS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT. I AM A RESPONSIBLE PARENT AND I TEACH MY KIDS RESPONSIBILITY. I FEEL THAT THE MAKE UP DAYS CAN BE MADE UP OTHER THAN ON SATURDAYS. THEY HAVE ALOT MORE DAYS OFF THEN WE DID AS KIDS USE ONE OF THE DAYS THAT THEY HAVE OFF. DON'T MAKE PARENTS OR EVEN KIDS CHOOSE WHAT COMMITMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO KEEP.

my grand kids are looking forward to saturday school since the rate of absentism will be high they expect it to be fun days of playing games etc. no rule that the kids have to be taught anything on those dys just need to make them up so school district wont lose money

Thank you to all of the parents ready to send their children to the Saturday sessions. That is teaching them responsibility. Most working adults have been called in from a scheduled day off too. That and these Saturday sessions are called "life"! I hope the teachers will respect these Saturdays as they would any other day at school, meaning give it their all and not "just show movies". Again, thank you to the parents and students who care enough to do the right thing. To those that don't, it will be your loss.

almeg is right.

I'm really glad that there are parents out there that are going to send their child to school, no matter when the make-up days are. That teaches their kids that when they have responsibilities, they have to do them no matter how hard it is on them. What are these other parents teaching their kids? When you grow up, if you think something is unfair and you don't want to do it then don't do it! You're going to teach your children it's OK to skip out on their responsibilites just because they may have to go to school on a couple Saturdays?! It's not going to kill your kids to have to go to school and hopfully they'll be better adults for realizing that in life you don't always get to do whatever you want.

OkieFed says: "Yeah, I'm going to send my kid to school on a Saturday so the teachers can get an early start on their vacations. Since they know this would be a possibility, why would they plan vacations so close to the end of the school year? I thought that teachers all had to teach summer school or meet educational requirements all summer anyway..."

********************************************************The teachers have nothing to do with this and the comment about them getting started on their vacations on time was absolutely wrong. They will be there to teach the children who show up. No one likes this inconvenience but it is what it is. All of you that are complaining would have complained had they not called school off anyway. Keep the district and their decision seperate from the teachers. I doubt anyone likes the decision that they had to make but that is life. In this case the district decided to only build in 1 extra day. I just can't believe that you had to take a shot at the teachers over this! Grow up and try to stay on the topic of the article.

Responsibility would fall on the SCHOOLS to add more snow days to their schedule. If they don't use them , they don't use them. This is Wisconsin, We do have snow and ice in the winter and to only have one or two snow days worked into your schedule in plan ignorance and Irresponsible.

Why aren't snow days already included in the school year. This is Wisconsin, there is going to be cold and/or snow. If the snow days are not used then the school year ends that many days sooner. If they were included there wouldn't be anyone scrambling to figure out how its going to get made up, and no inconvience to those that have tight schedules with jobs and family.

AJ

1. I would think that the places the kids work at are used to working around their school schedules and would also do so if the district holds Saturday schooling. No, that won't make up their wages but I don't think they would be in trouble with their jobs.
2. That's why we have subs. If a teacher has classes they can't miss, they can use a sub. As far as the second part refer to 1.
3. Yes, some teachers will need daycare that they don't usually need, unless the already have it set up for said second job. If all else fails, the can use a sub.
4. That is one of my biggest problems with this too. Divorce is a big issue and time spent with both parents is very important to a child's well being. I hope that all the parents out there in this situation are able to work something out in the best interest of the children, even if it makes a further disruption in their "normal" schedules.
5. I would guess, but do not know, that these positions did not work or get paid on the snow days so the cost should be about normal. Without trying to scan all the posts and find it, I believe someone posted that his wife lost 180 dollars not working those days and that making up the days would bring that money back into his household. That leads me to believe that they were not paid for the snow days.

The above are just my ideas and opinions. I feel like I have gone over to the dark side. I don't like the idea of Saturday school. I really don't. I am just finding it harder to see a way around it. With graduation issues, construction issues, summer school issues, etc. it seems that our real options are few. Of course, many children will not show up for the Saturday school. I think the district is well aware of it. My children would not have been there this weekend if they had it as I posted before. Otherwise, like it or not, they will go. As always, each of us have to make a decision based on what we feel is best for our kids. Our circumstances are different and therefore we all must make our own choice.

I was wondering how they can make the kids go to school that have court ordered visitation on Saturdays. What happens if the parents live a few hours apart? Also what are people who work on Saturday supposed to do about child care? Most daycare centers are not open on Saturdays. Has the school board really taken into consideration all that school on Saturdays will affect?????

I guess it's hard to expect the students to learn responsibility if the parents don't show them the way.

Maybe it's time for WEAC to put the heat on the governor and legislators who have been the beneficiaries of their large campaign contributions, as well as the elected superintendent of public instruction, to make the change to allow local districts to set their own number of days IF they meet the minimum HOURS requirement.
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Local control and flexibility.

It just doesn't make sense to compare this to any other type of job by saying that people need to just adjust to the new schedule. Most people's jobs do not affect thousands of people in Janesville. Here is a list of how we would be affected:
1. students have jobs (that they get paid for) or activities (that their parents pay for) that they really can't miss
2. teachers take classes (including graduate school) on the weekends that they can not miss (at least that was how my program was)or work second jobs on the weekends
3. teachers would have to find daycare for their own young children
4. many students have split custody where they are with another parent (possibly out of town) on the weekends
5. having school on Sat. would cost a ton - paying clerical staff, teacher's aids, food service staff, and bus drivers extra for the week

I’m a student at Craig and I’m not happy about the fact of having to attend school on a Saturday. I really don't think it’s fair because it's not our fault it snowed or it was freezing out. Saturday and Sunday are our days to relax and for a lot of high School students like myself a day to work. I work a lot during the weekend because I can't during the week as much. Why should I have to sacrifice my work pay so that we can spend a few hours on a Saturday probably doing nothing? Also during spring break is a bad idea because of family vacations and for me college campus visits, should I have to give up my chance to view future schools for a few snow days? As a student I would rather have the year extended like they did last year because it stretched out exams. I get that their saying construction will start right after schools out but construction has been going on for months now trust me we have dealt with the noise and disturbances I think that a day or two wont cause to many problems, and with summer school cant they postpone it for a few days or something like that? That's just my opinion but I know as students our opinion rarely matters and we don't get much say.

wisconsinheat is 100% correct, it's about responsibilty. I'm sure teachers are a lot more likly to have a "movie day" if the days were made up at the end of the school year, rather than on Saturdays.

mirandadee, I was only replying to OkieFed comment about scraping the in-service days and trying to let him know that they have a purpose. I am sure that all the teachers knew what the job was before they decided to do what they do.
As far as everyone's idea that the teachers will just show movies or the like, you are probably right. As we can see here, many children will not be in attendance for whatever reasons. I may be wrong but I really don't have a problem with the teachers doing that. It will be hard to move forward with the few in attendance knowing that you will then have to teach it again to the ones that are gone.

No matter when we have the make-up days. Rest asure that the school busses will be picking up your child.

Anyone wonder if they just said Sat's just to get people going? My kids are not going to school on a Sat. What the school forgets is parents have the last word on what there kids do, not them.

My Craig junior has a job and ONLY works on Saturdays so as not to interfere with school and studying. She will not be in attendance if these days are made up on Saturdays. She has taken great pride in having perfect attendance throughout high school and now this will be ruined. I strongly urge that Saturday make up days NOT be an option! Furthermore, during conferences just last week I was told by several Craig teachers that these days would just be "movies or something" and that they will not be held accountable for teaching these kids anything on those days, anyway. Given the current contract issues, I found that very believable.

Do any of you other posters see the irony in writing a negative comment about people in Janesville complaining that they are all too negative? Everyone has the right to complain about situations that they are displeased with as long as they do so intelligently and with respect for others.

seems like the person who deecided it was bad weather or whatever and cancelled school can not win. if they would have had school on those days they would have been under scrutiny for making that decison also.

trish~ as far as teachers having to grade papers and do work at all hours. that is a job they chose. they know what it involved. i dont think they complain that much about it or they would find a new job.
as much as i appreciate our teachers i could NEVER do the things they do. i have helped out in my daughters preschool, kindergarten, and first grade classes and i have nothing but respect for those teachers and what they do.

It says in the story that "Janesville’s superintendent has indicated that he prefers Saturdays." I sure hope Tom Evert plans on working those Saturdays as well!

man im glad i dont live in janesville. you people are not happy with anything. there is always complaints about the road crew, school district, police department. and every thing else. just honestly what are you teaching your children with all this negativity? i would send my child to school on a saturday if thats what had to be done. yeah it may make for some rearranging of plans but that is life deal with it!

i heard that saturdays were not an option something to do with the teachers contracts

As frustrating as all of this may be for a variety of reasons, I can't help but be reminded that Americans often take for granted the privilege we have been offered to get an education in this country. It is unfortunate that so many of us have become so self-absorbed(including myself) and concerned with entitlement issues/anger about being "inconvenienced" that we forget about the bigger picture. I will forego a couple Saturdays (I would rather not--most of us would be happier having a day off) because it is the principle of the thing. I value the opportunities I have/can provide for students; in the grand scheme of things, what is two days?

okay as i see i dont exactly understand
why the students
should have to go to school during a saturday,or in that case any other day to make up those two snow days. we should just be able to enjoy our lives and do what we will freely.we cannot stop the wheater. why should we have to take blame for what what mother earth has brought upon us those two days. i know that im not exactly perfect example of any othe the other students that attend these local schools.but i mean c'mon give us a break!
you think any of self respecting,weekend loving, teenagers are going to go to school on a saturday.
all i have to say is you better
have some damn good cake and punch to even try to convince this adolescent to go.
-simondavid

I have no objections to my son attending school on a Saturday, as he did have two days that he stayed home during that snow storm. My question will be: Is the school district going to provide buses for those students, such as my son, who are normally bussed on Monday through Friday?

Thank you to the school district for even making the request to the WDPI, It shows you care. Now maybe we need to ask Gov. Doyle to become involved. Remember Doyle has requested Federal disaster aid for our area as a result of this storm....Could he over rule the WDPI decision?

No matter what is decided on how to make up these days not everybody is going to agree with it, they just need to make up their minds and be done with it, and let parents decide for them selves what is right for their own sitution.

School on Friday is an inconvenience? How is that? Last I knew school was held Monday thru Friday....thats a big bump....i sat here and read most of these comments, all i see is just constant whining and complaining. nothings gonna change, now im not saying its a good thing or a bad thing, because im only 21 and if i were still in school i'd be one of the students sayin "Eff that! I aint goin!" I know i wasnt a model student, but i dont care, i still got what i needed and that was a peice of paper that says i finished school now give me a good job. or give me a grant so i can continue school. but seriously, whats complaining on the gazette website gonna do? and as for pinkgirl, seriously, your talking about people and their grammar or punctual skills? its the internet, after i read your comment i stopped being correct because ITS THE INTERNET who cares? now if it was some important document, or an email to some important whatever the hell, than yea im gonna be correct on what i put. Let parents do with their kids how they want, after all, its their children. If the students honestly care about their education, good for them they'll show up, for the others that skip a lot anyway, like i did, well than thats their fault...so i guess im pretty neutral on this whole thing and now im questioning why im even commenting, i guess just let it go people? nothings gonna be done, really its up to the kids, even if they get dropped off on that saturday morning, im pretty sure most of the students will just walk across the fields and go to a friends house, or just go fart around town....and for the construction at the end of the school year, have you seen parker or craig recently? both of them have some pretty big cranes and big construction sites right now!

Yes, Milton had school last Friday to make up a snow day. Was it an inconvenience?Yes. But thats life!They still have one more to make up too. Probably at the end of the year like they did last year. Was that an inconvenience also? Yes! But it is part of life! We had to change some plans, but we survived! I work overtime every week. My choice. But it pays for the "extras". My children know this. When they want something extra they have to earn it. Thats life. Instead of making excuses and blaming others, accept the bumps in the road. There will always be some.

OkieFed, One more thing, but I don't want to take the subject off track. I don't think any of us realize how much personal time teachers give up to keep up. It is my understanding that teachers only have one class period where they don't have students. That time is spent trying to correct papers and get ready for the next days work. 55 minutes is not that much time to correct and plan for the 6 classes that they teach. I have a girlfriend that teaches in another district and is not unusual to stop by to visit her and have her still correcting papers at home at 8 or 9 at night. In-service days are probably spent catching up and working with other teachers in the unit to coordinate studies. I could be wrong, just an idea. Teachers are vastly overworked and understaffed.
Sorry to go off subject.

OkieFed, I think Milton School district did that. I don't know for sure, but I heard they had school the Friday after conferences instead of having an in service day.

I was replying to the message about Edgerton teachers having to show up or be suspended, "Even if they have there vacations planed". Why didn't they just scrap one of the numerous "inservice' days they have? In years past, making up snow days wasn't such a big deal, but then there weren't 6-8 inservice days per year either.

The DPI considered the request, but was unable to grant and still comply with federal guidelines. A lot of federal money is at stake here. You would not want your child to apply for a college and be denied because the college does not recognize the high school diploma as valid because the school did not meet certification requirements. School on Saturdays sucks, but we all have to jump through the hoops.

Well, I sat here all day reading and have come to understand that it isn't really anyone's fault. It just is what it is. I started remembering that there was a time that we had 5 "built-in" snow days that were never used. Then, we went to one snow day that was usually used on a day that was too cold, not really for snow. And really, if the kids only have to go 4 hours as I read, it really doesn't take that much away from the family weekend.
I can see if some families already have special plans in place for a certain weekend that the kids will not be in school. But to just decide not to send them for spite seems a bit harsh. I still have a problem with the children that will miss their visits with a parent(divorce issues). Hopefully, if they do two Saturday's in a row it will only effect one visiting weekend. In my case, Dad also lives in town so that is not an issue but I know for some, it is. Thinking about it now, it might be kinda nice for Dad to wake up with them, have breakfast with them, and take them to school. That is a memory they don't have. I also hope that it can be a little more relaxed learning. Whats wrong with them having a little fun instead of being angry that they are there?
I'm not judging anyone here. I understand that we all get used to things a certain way and change can be upsetting to us all. We will all have to make some adjustments, get up on a Saturday morning earlier than we'd like, make arrangements for transportation of the kids if we work, etc. but it is only two days.....So far. Those here that decide to keep the kids home, that is your choice. Education is important and so is family time. Do what you think is best for your kids.

It is not just Janesville that was denied it was all the schools in Rock County. All the schools sent letters hoping that DPI would look at the big picture. Dr. Evert was trying to help all of the students and families by not having to make-up those days. I don't blame the district or the teachers. The WI DPI is to blame by not considering this request.

I also was surprised that Madison Schools could add minutes instead of days to their year. But then I looked at their calendar; they started right after Labor Day and will be done June 13th. Next year is planned the same way. So they have 5 extra days built into their year. A school near Chicago states that their year will end on day X "if all 5 snow days are used". This implies that they will get out earlier IF it's not a snowy year. It's unfortunate that we had so much snow during the year that we decided to change the summer school schedule.

What the bleep is wrong with making up school on a Saturday. In the real world many people have to work on a weekend as necessary...even GM. Hasn't anyone ever heard of the concept of overtime ie. the need to put in addtional time to catch/make up lost time.

you can't extend the school year into the next week because summer schools starts immediately the following week.

DPI requires 180 days of school for Janesville, so making up hours at the end of the day wouldn't matter. Summer school starts right away so going beyond the regular school year wouldn't work.
The only thing that makes sense is holding school a couple of Saturdays.
As for the parents refusing to send their children on those Saturdays, get your priorities straight and be a parent! It is your responsibility to help them in setting their own responsibilities! It's ridiculous that so many parents don't care! (I can tell that some of you don't care about your own education in the way in which you are writing and spelling on here! Most of them probably don't even realize this...)
And I do hope that teachers hold a regular day of curriculum so that those that do not attend are penalized! Allowing a child to miss a day of school out of stubbornness is just plain wrong! You put your children in public schools, deal with their requirements and be happy they are allowed this education when so many children aren't!

Maybe parents should protest mandatory Saturday school with a sick out......

Maybe I missed something, but why can't we extend the school year again. That's what we always did when I was young..

I don't think that you have much choice about the number of school days. I don't think that anyone would be very happy if the superintendent and the school board defied the state and failed to hold the required number of days and the state invalidated the entire school year.

It is only a couple of Saturdays! I think it is great. Look on the positive side. The parents get a Saturday to themselves, when was last time you guys had that. Take advantage of it. Take your spouse out for a nice lunch.

Janesville schools cannot make up the days at the end of the school year. They begin construction at the high schools. We also cannot make up the days on the early release days. As long as the children have eaten lunch, they are considered being in school a full day, which is what they do on those days. Also Madison has only 1 snow day to make up, we have 3. That is why they can do the minutes added on to the school day and we can't.

My my an " An Act Of God " This is Wisconsin and we have weather that includes snow and subzero temps and it should be considered in the school year so we dont sit here and wonder how to rearrange our families to compensate lost days. I lost work cant make it up wish I could. the rules are as they are and we have to deal with it like it or not. I just hope they plan ahead for upcoming winters as I said this is Wisconsin and the weather can be brutal and one more note It is still winter and we may make up more lost days.

Jtmek,
Better said. You have valid points and not blaming teachers. If only the administration would look at it that way. Also, the general public should take note of your point and understand what and why would happen on the saturdays.

I can almost guarantee that most teachers will show a movie or make it a game day or something similar. I'm not saying it because I think teachers are irresponsible, but more for the fact that I bet the absence rate will hover around 50%. In high school it will probably be even higher due to student's jobs. Saturday school makes for very ineffective education.

OkieFed, is your head suck in the snow? Why do you naturally assume that teachers plan their vacations right when school gets done, and if so, so what??? They don't get to take a vacation during the school year, but I am guessing if you are employed, you get a vacation?? Besides that, what does that have to do with the topic at hand?? I feel it is unfair for both the teachers and the students. It is not either of their fault for poor planning on the administration's part for winter weather.

Harley's right. I don't believe the teachers will have any more choice than us. Its not their decision to make. It's all up to Mr. Evert and probably the school board. This is not the teachers fault. I am sure they are not looking any more forward to it than us. Remember, they have spouses and children and their normal weekend plans just like the rest of us. It is a disruption in our "normal" schedules for all of us. I wonder, does that mean that Mr. Evert and the staff there at the district building will be working on those Saturdays? Somehow, I doubt it.

okieFed,
Is it the teachers that need to start the vacations or the parents? I bet if you asked the same question about making the days up at spring break the parents would go nuts because of their spring break plans not so much the teachers. Quit blaming the teachers for everything that goes on in the schools when this kind of stuff happens. If it is their fault then why do we have such high paid administrators? Just let the lower paid teachers make all the decisions. Do you think this is what really happens? Think about it!

Yeah, I'm going to send my kid to school on a Saturday so the teachers can get an early start on their vacations. Since they know this would be a possibility, why would they plan vacations so close to the end of the school year? I thought that teachers all had to teach summer school or meet educational requirements all summer anyway...

lierre04,
Please do not make assumptions about the teachers not wanting to do saturdays. They will do what is asked of them and I believe they will make this a teaching opportunity not just a movie day. I really do not believe they will have any say is how the days will be made up.

My wife is a substitute teacher who lost two days of work during the big snow. That's about $180. Saturday school might create a demand for subs as many teachers are involved in Saturday and weekend activities. I hope she has the opportunity to work so we can recover lost income.

Saturday's was that a joke.....

There is no way I will allow my children to attend on Saturdays... That is family time.. Is that a joke....

I second wisconsinheat's comment. This is a perfect opportunity to teach personal responsibility to your child.

Going on Saturdays is kind of dumb because you know a lot of the teachers don't want to be there either and will just show a movie or something. And a lot of the kids won't go. What I don't understand is that the state allows you 10 sick days per year, so whey can't they allow 10 snow days? Or those kids that have really good attendance, they're there more than some of the others, why should they have to make anything up?

garyprimer: I do value the education system we have in this country, and I respect your opions as well, but sometimes classroom education needs to come second. Family, especially family that we may lose soon should and will come first for me.

Does this mean the students get a snow day and a fun day too? It's sometimes amusing to see what rules the government decides to follow, and which ones not to.

Forget the Sign at Franklin it is a voluntary program for kids WHO ARE FAILING. The make-up Saturdays will not be until after Spring Break!!!!!

Thanks tipi16. I thought it was odd that we wouldn't get more notice! Whew!

Like I said in my last post. My kids will be there regardless if I agree or not.(Just couldn't this weekend) Like I told them tonight, you loved the snow days now you have to make them up. Get used to the idea. Like it or not.

Lets just think of the last 10 yrs our winters have been quite mild. Not much snow and if it did it was gone in a few days. Parents complained when there were 5 extra days. They said we didn't need them so they now give us one. I work for the district and lost 3 days of work so it would be nice to get them back. So on those Saturdays I'll be up early with the other School bus drivers and bus aides and take the students who want to go to school to school and make sure that they get there safely.

Well, if the sign on the school was right and I am assuming it will be the same days/hours for all the schools, my kids won't be there this weekend. It is their weekend with Dad and they will not be in town. But, they will be there if there is one the next weekend or the weekend after that. This weekend is Dad's Christmas Party for his work and plans were in place, reservations made and monies paid along time ago. Its also a very special time for them and something the all look forward to all year! Do I agree with Saturday school? NO. Do I like it? NO. Will it mess up some of my plans. You bet.

Twerp, you are right. They are court ordered and it would be a violation of that order not to send them to the other parent. Although I highly doubt any judge would punish a parent under these circumstances. I also doubt, if the other parent is a wise person, they wouldn't bring the charge to a judge. That is mainly set up so Mom/Dad can't use the children and their time with each parent against the other.
I do think that children in divorce bear the brunt of it and that losing time with a parent they don't get to spend enough time with already is wrong. School is important but so is the family.

Re: Franklin Saturday School - I have seen that sign in the past so I'm sure it's a 'detention' issue, NOT for all of the students. Do you really think they would schedule it with 3 days notice?

I am amazed at the big tizzy everyone is in over a couple Saturday mornings. I will send my kids because school is school, even if events warrant it happen on a Saturday every 30 years. I agree that at least one of those early days off was unwarranted, but this is where we are now, so let's deal with it like grown ups and set a good *respectful* example for our children. Dr. Evert probably isn't out to make anyone mad, he's simply doing what he has to do.

This isn't rocket science, folks. Like every other day of the year, if you have good enough reason to keep them home, go for it. I personally make school the first priority for my kids.

The other reason we can not go into the next week is that Summer School starts that Monday.

It is sad that in this country education is viewed as an inconvenience, something to be tolerated, not something to be loved and appreciated as the great privilege that it is. I am sure that many of you are in disagreement and I respect your opinions whether you respect mine or not.

I REFUSE to send my child to school on saturday they only get two day break let them have them. It's not there fault you people did not prepare a head of time. when u know there are going to be days like snow days. Make two of the halfs into full days.It doesn't matter on the 180 days, cause my child has missed from being sick, so she doesn't have 180 days, so missing two more or one won't matter to me.

Trish: The sign you read at Franklin is for Saturday School they have it I believe one or two Saturday mornings a month. It is for kids who are behind in a class or are at risk of failing. there are teachers there to help them.
Plenty: Early release days are counted as full days. The students are there more than 4 hrs.
Saturdays are not a new thing My Sr. year at Evansville we went to school on 2 Saturdays and one of them was Prom (this of course was 30 years ago) Not many of us showed up but it was better than doing chores on our Farm!

HELLO EVERYONE WHY DON'T YOU ALL GO THE THE JANESVILLE SCHOL HOME PAGE ON IT AT THE BOTTON YOU CAN EMAIL EVERT AND TELL HIM WHAT YOU THINK. MAYBE IF ENOUGH DO IT ME MIGHT THINK ABOUT WHAT THE PARENTS TEACHERS AND KIDS WANT. TRY IT IT CAN'T HURT

OF course we would like our kids to go to college, but be honest, not much will be accomplished on a Sat. I know several teachers are already planing for movies that day. Attendance is going to be at a all time low.

Also like I said earlier, my daughter will not be there on a Sat. We have plans for all of our weekends that simply cannot be changed. And before anyone says I don't care about my childs education all I have to say is that we visit family on weekends, some of which are not well and may pass away soon. How can I tell my family, sorry we have school, we can't vist you for what may be the last time?

Besides if you look at families that have every other weekend visitations they can't be changed either - most are court ordered ! What then?

Well, I just drove by Franklin School tonight and the sign out front said: Saturday School, March 1st, 8-11.

SATURDAY NO WAY THEY CAN MAKE IT UP A FEW MINS AFTER EACH DAY I AM SURE THE BIG BUTTS DOWNTOWN WILL NOT BE IN ON A SATURDAY. OR DURING SPRING BREAK.I SURE HOPE YOU PEOPLE DONW TOWN WILL PLAN BETTER FOR NEXT YEAR.

Of course I want my kids to go to college and I'm quite certain they will since they both get straight A's and work hard when in school. I hardly think that missing 2 days of school in 5th and 7th grade is going to keep them from getting into college.

What is wrong with 5-10 minutes at the end of every day. They are going to have to make it up. So not make it easy and realistic for everyone.

Does the federal government have a mandate for states regarding the number of school days in a year required for federal funding?

If they don't learn anything else by going, the just might learn responsibility.

Do you want your kids to go to college?

I for one will not be sending my kids to school on a Saturday. I think it's ridiculous to make kids make up school for days beyond their control. However, I could understand if it was something more reasonable like going full days instead of the early release Mondays to make it up. I think it's a poor idea to cut short spring break - what about families who have already made plans for that time? The Superintendent can sit around there on a Saturday if he so "prefers" however, I share my weekends with an ex-spouse and I don't think it's fair for families to have to give that time up to make up school. Did they really lose that much "curriculum time" to learn something? I don't think so and making them go on a Saturday certainly isn't going to be productive. I also will not make my kids go if they have to make it up by tacking on extra days at the end.

What billnewbie said.

From what I understand, the DPI has requirements for number of days as well as for number of instructional hours. Janesville will be short on the "days" part - so adding hours doesn't help. (Madison was short on hours - so they didn't have to add days.)

Bottom line is that there is no good solution to this problem. Janesville has chosen Saturdays. Milton has chosen to add a monday in June AFTER graduation (they did it last year, too, and almost nobody showed up, according to my kids). Spring break? Forget about it. No matter what the district chooses, it is a day designed for mass absenteeism with no meaningful instruction. Simply meeting the requirments.

What becomes frightening is if we have another big storm. We were lucky the storm missed yesterday. If they have to cancel again, now things get really nasty.

If we go on a Saturday it will only be for 4 hours. It will be up to the parents weather they send there student or not. Spring break we have been told is out because of families traveling. Madison Schools will still be making up days cuz you can't make it up in time. The state mandates that schools should close when there wind chill is -35. We have been told that delaying school by a couple of hours confuses the students and messes with parents who have to work. Talk to any teachers from Edgerton. Edgerton is adding all there days at the end of the school year and teachers have been told they have to be there or be suspended for 3 weeks. Even if they have there vactions planed

It's amazing where priorities lie.
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Now the question is: Will anyone learn from this and schedule extra days into the future calenders, just in case?

What about the kids who are from split families? My child sees his mother every other weekend and she lives pretty far away. So what am I suppose to tell his mother? Sorry but our child has to go to school and not spend time with you? I guess my child won't be going to school!

Good luck getting the students there on a Saturday? Sounds like lazy parenting to me.

Yes, this might be an inconvenience to some, but I hardly think this is the end of the world. I will be sending my child to school. I'm sure he'll say "so and so won't be there, so why do I have to go?". He will have to go because he didn't have to go on the snow day. Pretty simple to me.

I also hope the teachers won't make this a "free" day, with no learning involved. Please don't waste my child's time, and don't reward those that stay home. I support your contract negotiations, so continue to show us your professionalism.

the jvl school district brought some of this on themselves. they wasted a couple of early "snow days" on a cold day and an icy day. i hate to sound like the "we used to walk 2 miles to school everyday old guy'" (i'm 49), but they should've planned for the worst and kept the extra days.
certainly for those two early snow days, they could've simply delayed school for two hours -- preserving the actual days for a possible big storm.
maybe next year will be different.

Why can't we just add some minutes to the end of the school day to to make up the snow days. Madison is doing that. It makes more sense to me if they did it that way. I for one will NOT be sending my daughter on a Saturday!

My kids love the snow days and no matter when they make them up, I am sure they will complain. I think they should do it during the week at the end of the normal school year. As much as I hate our summer being shortened, I do understand that they have a curriculum that needs to be finished. I just don't believe making the days up on Saturday will work. Although, I think about the Seniors who are scheduled to graduate and I can understand why they don't want to do it at the end.
How about we give up those silly half days and make up the days that way? I know some people plan trips during Spring Break so we probably would have a hard time there too. Maybe take one day off Spring Break. Monday. Still time to travel and make up one day that way?

It might help to remember why kids are sent to school in the first place. It's not to give them something to do until summer break, or inexpensive child care, or to find and make friends. It's to learn a curriculum that needs so many days to cover. And salaried employees of the district are hired for that many days and are paid accordingly.

Good luck getting the students there on a saturday!

I think making up the days on Saturdays is just plain silly and unfair to everyone. Some parents I have spoke with have stated that they would not send their kids on Saturdays. I wonder how many children will show up if they decide to do it on Saturdays. What will happen to the child of divorce that only sees Mom/Dad every other weekend that may live a couple hours or more away? Last year we only had one day to make up and I got the feeling that atleast one of my child's teachers was not to happy with it as the assignment they received was to write a letter to Mr. Evert about what they should do with that day as all the work and testing would be done.

well i guess if it comes to saturday i will guaranteed that i will call my child in.

I see another sick day coming........

This is terrible. I feel bad for the kids, the teachers, the support staff. What has happened to common sense?