Ferguson Florissant early release schedule change

[FergFlor Mom]

I'm not sure how many people have heard about this, but it seems everyone I mention it to has not already heard. Starting next school year, the elementary schools will extend the school day by 15 minutes on M, T, W, F and be released an hour early on Thursdays for staff development. This time would replace the 1 day a month the schools are currently closed for staff development/teacher work time. I think it is rediculous for working parents and those that plan their schedule so they can be home when the kids get home. We can't change our schedules to be different on Thursdays. I also think even if it is the same amount of hours per week, we will lose out on instructional time by dividing a solid hour into 15 minutes here and there.
There is a school board meeting this Wednesday (11-11) at 7:00 where this topic will be discussed. I was hoping to reach other parents/teachers/etc. that would be interested in stopping this change from going through and thought this could be a good place to start.
Thanks for your time and hope to see a full board meeting Wed.

[MOM2]

yes I heard about this at a pto meeting last school year. I agree with you as a working parent. but we are trying to get our daughter in north county christian school, so maybe we won't have to worry about it. but on the other hand the prin. did not know at that time if the ymca latchkey program would extend there hours to accomadte. I can not make tomorrows meeting but if you go could you post what was said or decided.

[what happened]

So what happened at the board meeting?

[MOM2]

I guess fergflormom has not been on because I have been waiting for her to comment

[DAD]

Yes, we are all on the edge of our seats awaiting a response.

[FergFlor Mom]

Sorry, I wasn't sure if anyone was following the whole ordeal. If what Speigel said is true, it will never happen. He said he would not make a recomendation to the board until every teacher and parent concern was taken care of. I don't see that that is possible. Many parents, and teachers, spoke about the reasons they disapprove. We all need to keep attending monthly board meetings until a decision is made one way or the other. If he stays true to his word, all we need is one concern not fixed and it cant happen. Thanks for your interest. I will update if I hear more!

[MOM2]

thank you for the info. please keep me updated.

[another mom]

Thank you FergFlor Mom for going to the meeting and keeping the rest of us informed!

[FergFlor Mom]

another mom wrote:

Thank you FergFlor Mom for going to the meeting and keeping the rest of us informed!

No problem. I just hope that everyone keeps speaking out and stops the nonsense from happening. My kids are at Parker Road and we had a petition started Friday morning for everyone to sign that was against it. It may be good if other schools do the same. After all, we are the ones that run the district, or so they say.

[petition]

I will be looking for that petition.