I am a parent of three children in the Waltham Public School system and I strongly disagree with the Expanded Learning Time (ELT) initiative at the MacArthur and Northeast schools. Although my children do not go to either of these schools, this initiative, if successful, may be pushed through the school system some time in the future.
Many parents will want this for many reasons, but the strongest I can see is the fact that it will be free daycare and allow parents to work until 5. Some may want it for the true educational experience for their children.
I am a believer of enriching my children my own way. We read, listen to music, play at the park or ride bikes. I come from a family of educators. My parents, sister, and wife are all teachers. I know how hard it is to get the required teaching done to meet the curriculum. I am a believer in public education.
Education should be the most important activity for children. However, sports, dance and clubs have a place too, and should be secondary. "Secondary activities" are still an important part of children's enrichment. They allow children to socialize and interact with peers in a way that is different than in school. Many of these activities will no longer be available because the children will be in school so late into the day.
My second-grader comes home with 30 to 40 minutes of homework most nights. This time will only get longer as they get further into their academic career. Children are not going to have the time to get their work done, have dinner, and still get to bed at a reasonable hour to be rested for the next long day ahead of them. What about family time?
Lengthening the middle and high school day may seem like a better option. This is where the children can take on independent studies and enrichment groups.
State Rep. Thomas Stanley writes, "this initiative will provide students with top notch educational opportunities." Is he saying that the school system is not "top notch" now? I believe it is. Rep. Stanley should lobby for this money to be used now to augment the current curriculum for all the children of Waltham. This will still allow families to have family time. Elementary children are just too young for such a long day.
MATTHEW KIERNAN,
Waltham
