>>Valley Patriot>>


Mandated Extended School Days
Peter Larocque, Lawrence School Committee
(08/03/07)


As we begin to see more and more school districts across the state institute an extended school day program for their schools, I am not one to just go along. In my humble opinion, it should not be mandated district-wide for everyone. It should be made available just for those students who need the extra time and help. But the decision ultimately belongs to parents or guardians. To make it mandatory for everyone is not a direction I want to see us go in, in Lawrence.

As a school committee member, but more importantly, a parent and family man, one who sees the family institution being constantly pulled apart, I just can’t add another element to the tug of war going on in our society. School age children, K-12, do not need more time away from their parents. Society already places too many demands on families that pull them apart and a mandated extended school day for all just adds to the list.

Now, if parents or guardians decide that it is in their child’s best interest to receive extra academic time and help, that is their decision and not mine or anyone else’s to make.

The way I see it, the school district should make available an extended school day or an after school tutoring program which Lawrence Public Schools does.

School age children need more time with their families and this is where parents or guardians need to step up and take control of their children’s already full schedules. We, as a society, are really forcing our school age children to grow up too fast.

Please do not misunderstand what I am saying here! Yes, education is important, but knowledge without wisdom, (the what to do with the knowledge which children get from their parents, grandparents, or the significant adults responsible for their life), is unprofitable. The family just can’t afford another program, system, or reason to be separated!

Although good intentions may be involved here, the bigger picture must rule the day. I have said it before and I’ll say it again and again: Parents or Guardians must take an active roll in the education of their children. Research has proven that parental involvement improves student learning just like having accountability and standards do.

So parents or guardians must get involved or someone else’s good intentions will mandate extended school days for all, which becomes just another way of saying, more baby-sitting!

  Peter Larocque is a member of the Lawrence School Committee, 255 Essex St. Lawrence, MA 01842. He was elected by the Lawrence City Council to fill the unexpired term of Amy McGovern. You can email him at plarocque@lawrence.k12.ma.us


 *Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The August 2007 Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007
, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 15,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover, North Andover,
Methuen, Haverhill, Chelmsford, Georgetown, Groveland, Boxford, Amesbury, Newburyport
Lawrence, Dracut, Tewksbury, Merrimack, Newburyport, Westford, Acton, and Lowell.
Hampton & Salisbury Beach,
(summers only)

Valley Patriot Archive

Valley Patriot Story
ARCHIVES

Prior Lead Stories

Prior Valley Patriot Editorials

Prior Columns by ...

Tom Duggan
Dr. Chuck Ormsby
Paula Porten
Ralph Wilbur
Hanna
Ted Tripp

Valley Patriot of the Month

Griselsilva.com

Patrick Blanchette
D.J. Beauregard
Jim Cassidy
D.J. Deeb
Marcos Devers
Bob Desmarais
Regina Faticanti
Jim Fiorentini
Bill Kelly
Wilfredo Laboy
Peter Larocque
Vilma Lora
Ed Maguire
Billy Manzi
Paul Murano
Mark Palermo
Hartley Pleshaw
Debbie Quinn
Raise Em Right
Dr. Peary
Kathleen Corey Rahme
Barney Reilly
Angel Rivera
Jim Rurak
Grisel Silva
Mike Sullivan
Sandra Stotsky
Mike Sweeney
Ken Willette
Scott Wood
Jim Xenakis