More real life stories

In a continued effort to illustrate the "real life" impact that a "balanced" calendar has on families, we present the following from Susan Banner, a Williamson County parent:

The “balanced” (year round) school calendar negatively affects families in numerous ways. For my family, these are the two most pressing reasons:

• Relentless Heat – On August 18, 2005 my daughter was one of five FHS band students who collapsed from heat exhaustion and needed ambulance transportation to the ER. It was the most fearful day of my life. Why would anyone who claims to have our students’ best interest at heart vote to extend the number of high-heat days for our athletes and band students? This reason alone should cause the WCS board to shout down the proponents of this ridiculous plan.

• Enrichment opportunities – Williamson County is not on an island; our children, especially high school students, attend out-of-area programs that are based on a traditional school calendar. As young people grow they seek the company of their peers, and they need opportunities outside of the classroom. Many programs are offered one time on a specific date. For example, some of the Governor’s School sessions in Tennessee are four to six weeks long.

Parents of elementary students are now planning summers with soccer camps and Disney vacations. But as their children age, they will realize that teens need longer summers for employment, mission trips, academic enrichment, etc. If your child is still too young for you to see around the corner, or if you are undecided on the balanced calendar, won’t you please accept the counsel of the many parents of high school students who have traveled farther down the road that you will soon travel?