Superintendent Lacks Empathy

To the Editor:

I recently received an email from the superintendent of schools and a follow-up letter from the local school principal of the decision to end school early on the first Wednesday of each month starting in October. They indicated that this would enable teachers from across the different schools to meet and discuss ways to improve the performance of the students. The superintendent went on to say that the parents should adjust their child care arrangements. This decision by the superintendent of schools is just another example of the lack of empathy for the citizens of Newtown.

I do not think there is anyone in the USA that will say that children should spend less time in school. Arnie Duncan, the US Education Secretary, stated, “The days of telling kids to go home at 2:30 and having mom there with a peanut butter sandwich, those days are gone. Whether it’s a single parent working one, two, three jobs or two parents working, the hours from 3 o’clock to 7 o’clock are a huge anxiety, and that’s why we have to keep our schools open longer.”

It is absurd to indicate that because the school day is longer by a few minutes this equates to the lost time. Is the few minutes each day dedicated to the classroom material that will be missed on the early dismissal days?

Exactly how do you adjust your child care arrangements? Tell your boss that not only do you need time off for normal school vacation/holidays, child sick days and your sick days, but now you have to take off so the teachers can communicate about third grade reading requirements? I am sorry, Board of Ed, but my wife and I both have to work to make ends meet. Maybe we should not work so hard and let our kids worry about the cost of the college education.

The kids need more time in school, not the teachers.

Larry Garner

6 Forest View Drive, Sandy Hook                               July 28, 2010