Taylor Bugglin
Jon Jee Editor
Well, we've gone through yet another week of extended days. And I'm sure we're all tired. Last time, I thought Wednesday was Friday. And then I thought Thursday was Friday. By the time Friday rolled around, I didn't think it was Friday because I could hardly think at all.
Many students prefer these extended days to Saturday schools, but I don't. Those in favor of longer days say that it cuts into their Saturday, but let's examine it.
First off, what time do you usually wake up on Saturday? Nine, ten, one? Okay, so you lose some sleep there, but many students lose a lot more sleep throughout the week this way and then have to go longer throughout the day. The students with busy afternoons and evenings have their lives timed to a tee--school, homework, practice, practice, homework, sleep--and that extra hour gives them less time to do their homework. So, they stay up later to get it done. Then they have to wake up the next day, go to school longer, and repeat their evening. By the time they reach the end of the week, they are run-down beyond belief.
Next, let's look at Saturday activities. So you've rolled out of bed at about 10 (I'll use that number because that's the latest I can sleep). You're bored; you decide to call up your friends and do something. What time do you guys finally get together? Two, three, seven? You can still do that. You can hang-out after school; the day is shorter. When we had that one Saturday school, I probably had a more social Saturday than I would've had otherwise anyway. I had a friend over to watch a movie, and then we joined up with some other friends to go to the movie theater.
Make-up days are like Band-Aids: They heal accidents we couldn't avoid. And no one likes to rip off the Band-Aid. Everyone knows, though, that you don't rip off a Band-Aid slowly; you tear it off in one fell swoop--in one Saturday school.
I'm one of those people who can't afford to lose an hour of every afternoon and still expect my work to be up to par. I can, however, lose one Saturday morning. For future reference, I think that this is the better choice for kids with busy lives.
Comments