Chicagoist: So Long, Summer

claimtofame

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:48:24 -0600

When did summer EVER mean Memorial Day through Labor Day? Certainly never for me, and I'm in my 30s. We always went through early June and were back sometime in late August.

BlueFairlane

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:41:08 -0600

As a parent with children in CPS, I have to disagree with the commenters. I think year-round school is horrible. It saves no money on daycare, because the number of days in session doesn't increase. Breaks are simply spread out, so daycare actually becomes much more complicated, and in some cases more expensive. There's been no actual evidence that year-round school improves performance, no evidence that retention is improved. Costs go up, though, due to increased air-conditioning expense ... assuming the school even has air conditioning, which many here don't. Which leads to a side rant ... why are people in Chicago so averse to air conditioning. Don't you people realize it's hot?

Mary_Sunshine

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:02:28 -0600

Though I confess it was my greatest fear growing up that we'd go year round. So true, so true. Same with school uniforms. But yeah, year-round school is definitely a better structure for education. Also, my college always had a week off in October, and a random break in the fall is awesome.

Albanyparkour

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:57:31 -0600

This will help them practice their all-important standardized test taking skills. I like year-round school actually, the notion of taking 3 months off is archaic. Shorter breaks, spaced throughout the year are easier on parents (saving on child care) and help maintain a continuum of learning. Though I confess it was my greatest fear growing up that we'd go year round.