[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by AMSS

For some systems, one March vacation works. For others a long weekend in February, and one week in April. Plus with snow days effecting each municipality differently, local systems have discretion to make up days in ways that works best for them.

This is all about the state controlling local matters. The businessman leading the DOE is all about getting every system under his control so he can do what he wants (with the end all goal being money for him and some brand new consulting cronies of his). That is a huge downside.

BTW, teachers just find a way to get daycare needs taken care of if they are off different weeks from their kids. I know many teachers who LOVE being off different weeks from their kids.

Good points. From the teacher's perspective, my brother and SIL teach outside the district they live in-- When Winter and Spring breaks don't match up to the district where their kids attend school, it's difficult for them to visit family out of state during the year or take a vacation.

Maybe some level of coordination between districts would be nice, without state mandates?

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

Good points. From the teacher's perspective, my brother and SIL teach outside the district they live in-- When Winter and Spring breaks don't match up to the district where their kids attend school, it's difficult for them to visit family out of state during the year or take a vacation.

Maybe some level of coordination between districts would be nice, without state mandates?

Yes. I'd imagine most schools in specific areas (say lower Ffld country) try and keep it uniform already due to to sports reasons. My parents were both teachers in systems different from where we went to school and we never went away during the school year. It's just the choice they made. Having several weeks available in the summer was the tradeoff.

[nonny]

Plus, the high school kids often want summer jobs. Camp jobs start before the last date according to the state calendar. Teachers have also honed the curriculum to varying testing schedules. In general, I think that local control is better than central control of the school. Bringing this back to topic. It could be bad if districts were combined. It would lead to more travel time for the kids, which they certainly don't need in this state! It would mean less attention and appreciation for local custom and culture.

[SeaDoo342]

Originally Posted by AMSS

It's been my experience that you are more likely to find a variety of advanced classes at city schools...unfortunately only a small few capitalize on them. I guarantee you that each Norwalk and each Stamford High School offers far more diverse classes and extracurriculars than top rated Oxford High School. As a matter of fact, when we organized a Robotics program for my kids' school district, we received all our guidance and information from Bridgeport teachers.

If big urban schools have amazing programs then why isn't Bridgeport competing in this?....

Brookfield, Redding teams at regional Robotics event - offBeat


Glastonbury won it last year....Bridgeport didn't!

Glastonbury: B.E.S.T Robotics champions - Hartford Courant

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by SeaDoo342

If big urban schools have amazing programs then why isn't Bridgeport competing in this?....

Brookfield, Redding teams at regional Robotics event - offBeat


Glastonbury won it last year....Bridgeport didn't!

Glastonbury: B.E.S.T Robotics champions - Hartford Courant

The answer is "resources". Bridgeport students do not have the same level of support that Glastonbury students do. Jay

[mrgmrg]

Originally Posted by nonny

It would mean less attention and appreciation for local custom and culture.

Please, explain. I can't imagine what you mean.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by SeaDoo342

If big urban schools have amazing programs then why isn't Bridgeport competing in this?....

Brookfield, Redding teams at regional Robotics event - offBeat


Glastonbury won it last year....Bridgeport didn't!

Glastonbury: B.E.S.T Robotics champions - Hartford Courant

Can you verify they don't have a team or did they just not compete in this particular event? Over the years, I've helped out at many math competitions, JETs, Physics Olympics, Robotics and debates (I lead an exciting life, I know) and public city schools have always had representation.

[nonny]

Originally Posted by mrgmrg

Please, explain. I can't imagine what you mean.

There are different customs and cultures in different towns. People need to respect the differences, and value the differences. There seems to be an implicit attitude here that acknowledging cultural differences assumes that everything in the dominant successful culture is enviable, and vice versa, or, alternatively, that it's racist to say that the different groups have different cultures. Differences exist. How is the system going to acknowledge the differences, honor the differences?

[westwing]

why Bridgeport or any bad communities in this society nowadays always want to take from the good, drag them down, instead of improving themselves.

[nonny]

I wouldn't put it that way. But I agree with the sentiment that they have to find their own good, and not glom onto other towns. They will drag the other towns if they don't come to the table with clarity about what they have to offer, and what they need and value.