Snow Days Conundrum

I don't usually post on Tuesdays, but I thought I would post today because we all know I'll forget what I want to say if I waited another day!

Last night, most of the local school boards met to develop a plan to make up the missed school days due to the excessive amount of snow we received during the first two weeks of February.  I know many of my northern friends are laughing at this, but remember our towns are spread out and we simply don't have the equipment to deal with this type of weather.

So far the kids have missed eleven days when schools planned for five missed days.  No one wants to extend the school year or take away spring break as many parents have already paid for vacations.

In addition to the five already built in snow days at the end of the year, they took away two "parent/teacher conference" days--uhm, they NEVER were conference days, but they 'generified' them so they don't offend anyone.  There are still four days short.  It was decided that 30 minutes would be added to the end of each day from Feb. 28 until the end of the school year.

And you probably think that's my gripe.  It isn't.  I'm cool with the decision. My kid isn't, but who really cares what a 10-year-old thinks? Just kidding.  I don't think she's too upset with it.

My gripe is why the school system doesn't have a plan for teachers to 'teach' over the Internet. 
One snow day --Let kids have some fun.
Two snow days--give extra credit for stuff.
Three snow days--get serious about teaching via Internet.  Give the kids something to do instead of driving their parents bonkers.  Have them learn to use the Internet to find extra credit information. Or do math problems for EC.  Or have a reading challenge. Anything to keep their brain cells from becoming flaccid.

I know the argument will be that many parents don't have Internet or email or whatever and that would be penalizing those families who can't afford computers.  But I'll bet you my bottom dollar that those kids may not have Internet, but they sure as shooting have some sort of video game system . . . or two. 

So many businesses donate computers/money to schools. Give the kids who don't have computers a chance to check out a laptop at the beginning of the year. Work with the cable providers to donate Internet access to those families.  Setting up email accounts is free.  And if the computer isn't in good condition by the time it's turned in then fine the parent {get the pertinent info (SSN)}.

If homeschooling takes place all over this country, then I think public schools should take advantage of this method while kids are forced to remain at home due to inclement weather.

Something to think about.

Later, Peeps, I need to keep working on GNOME.