Amusement Park Owners Suggest Longer Summers For Students

[pki number 1]

Hey everyone,!!

I was browsing the news websites and I came upon this... It's very interesting!!

ENJOY

http://www.wlwt.com/education/10469795/detail.html

[KIBeast]

Sounds like a good idea.

[Avatar]

Let’s all be honest here for a minute, when we got out of school for the summer after about 5-6 weeks we were kind of bored. I think if you ask most students during the middle of winter if they would be willing to trade one of their summer week off for a week off now that you would get a lot of takers. I don’t think the solution to the problem is when the schools all end and start, but of one that is in line to the logic of our current times in the 2000 era and not one that was created and was suited for the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Where am I going with this? Well let’s just say it time to stop look around and think outside the box for a moment.

Currently most schools start, end and follow pretty much the same schedule. This then creates spikes in several industries such as travel, medical, day-care, camps and museums ECT. Major business finds its self scrambling to cover request for time off for their employees and granting it on a seniority basis so they can have family time together.

Something to consider: Have a year round school schedule and have the entire different school districts stager their start time. Most year round schools have 21/2 weeks for fall break normal winter breaks 3 weeks for spring break and 5-6 weeks for summer break. My thought would be if they staggered the start times out then there would a lot of students out all the time instead of all of them out at the same time. Such as in middle of September to the end of October a lot of students would be out for fall break and then Spring break season would be spread out over 8-10 weeks instead of the current 4-5 weeks. This would help out all the above mentioned Industries and could result in more year round jobs and not just seasonal jobs. Of course the teachers unions don’t like it and some teacher’s like to get a second pay check for working over the current summer months. I would counter that with a lot of school districts are short good quality teachers and if the teachers wanted too they could fill in as a licensed teacher at other districts while they were on break from their current teaching obligation for extra pay. Also a lot of teachers that currently are following the year-round schedule say they like it much more and that they don’t get burned out during the winter months.

At first people resist change and won’t even give thought to such a change but I would say to those who at least say maybe it’s worth a look, I would strongly encourage you to look at all the communities that have gone to this format look at the positive impact that it has had on students and the community. Then look at the few drawbacks to make your own judgment and opinion about this issue.

After all they have been running the current schedule for over 100 years, can’t we just look at this idea or entertain other suggestions instead of trying to put lipstick on the old outdated schedule.

[ragerunner]

I believe Florida just recently passed a similar law on the start of school date.

[WooferBearATL]

Well, I know that in Georgia that they're already moving towards having school throughout the year. Most Schools already start back the first or second week in August.

[jzarley]

^ It makes sense to rethink a model completely based on a 19th century agrarian economy. More than a few things have changed since then (Having election day on a Tuesday--so people have time to get from their homes on the farm into the nearest town to vote--is something else that should be reconsidered...)

A new year-round school calendar would also help make the utilization of existing school faciliites more efficient...instead of multi-million dollar buildings sitting unused three months out of every year.

[teenageninja]

Good idea in theory, however if you look at things from an outside view, you have to take notice that most people want to travel during the summer. Florida is not a whole lot colder in the winter, but it is just enough to make the difference. How about people visiting the outer banks of North Carolina. You'll notice the ocean water is much colder. It really doesn't matter to me, I go to UC and I am basically on a year round schedule with class and co-ops.

[Reon]

Sweet idea, but too bad it wont effect me in WV....

[Avatar]

Good idea in theory, however if you look at things from an outside view, you have to take notice that most people want to travel during the summer. Florida is not a whole lot colder in the winter, but it is just enough to make the difference. How about people visiting the outer banks of North Carolina. You'll notice the ocean water is much colder. It really doesn't matter to me, I go to UC and I am basically on a year round schedule with class and co-ops.

Actually it’s not a theory because more and more schools are going to it at the request of the teachers and the parents. Also with the staggered start times everyone family would have at least 5-6 weeks to take their summer vacation and it would be spread out more so it would be a little less crowded at their destination as some school districts would be in school . Also my daughter goes to a year round school now and see gets out for 21/2 weeks in the fall and we went to Orlando for most of her break with huge discounts on air and hotel rates. The weather was between 85-90 degrees everyday and the locals said that they were experiencing an unusually cool temperatures for that time of year. Ohio tourist attractions could reap huge dividends as all students would have at least 21/2 weeks to enjoy the fall festivities at popular attractions and for those fall leaves watchers. It would make it a all season long event not just weekend only events. Plus having 3 weeks for spring break is nice and usually the south has pretty warm weather considering us Eskimo’s are still used to the cold still.

Feeding off of Jzarley idea of borrowing resources from one district to another they can share busses and other facilities while one is down there fore saving more money so that they can pay the teachers what they are worth.

[CoastersRZ]

While I think the theory is good. There are some issues. My alma mater (Anderson High School) only has select areas air conditioned, primarily any computer lab, the library and administrative offices. In order for year round school to be effective, they would need to install air conditioning. Face it, taking tests when it is 90 outside and probably close to 100 with the heat index is not fun. But on the flip side, until the addition was put onto my college in 1997, it did not have air conditioning (and this is at the University of Cincinnati), and there are classes year round in my program.

I think eventually, most districts will shift to some form of year round education. Which will leave some places that depend heavily on tourism in the summer months cringing. Places like Kings Island depend heavily on high school workers in the summer to help operate the park. If schools were in session during the summer, it would make the already difficult job of staffing the park even harder.

[PKIDelirium]

I have a feeling that if any of the school districts in the areas where the parks hire from change to a year-round schedule, they'll find themselves on the receiving end of a lawsuit from Cedar Fair.

[Avatar]

My neighbor across the street actually laughed at us when we told her we were going to send our daughter to a year round school. Five months later after seeing first hand the advantages of the schedule she has told us that she is going to try to get her children enrolled in my daughters school for next year. Which requires a wait list now.

My position is this; year round school schedule is going to become the more main stream schedule because of its increased popularity. The Tourist industry needs to send their lobbyist to encourage a staggered district start time before this happens otherwise yes they will only have a 5-6 week season (which for the 2007 season would be from June 16 to July 21st). They may not like it but is coming and if they want to survive then they need to get engaged in the new growing in popularity school schedule and quite trying to tinker with an old outdated system. And for all of us who are old enough to remember there are lots of companies who have either went under or are just hanging in there because they resisted change and realized their misunderstanding when it was too late. I for one hope that the amusement industry doesn’t learn this one the hard way.

Ohio has a lot to lose so they may be able to control its states decisions but they will learn the hard way as that the surrounding states will convert and the industry will still fall on hard times. I sincerely hope that they try to get out in front on this issue as it is a tidal wave a coming.

[jzarley]

^^ On what basis, exactly? Sue a school district for attempting to improve public eduation...that would make CF's brilliant move of filing suit against the unions in NE Ohio for unfair boycott look like a PR masterpiece in comparison. (And, as Interpreter has maintained on several occassions, still continues to negatively impact GL's attendance..)

Oddly enough, the responsibility of public education is not dependent on the business needs/model of an amusement park operator (which, in the big picture of the US economy is pretty small potatos at that...)

[WooferBearATL]

^ It makes sense to rethink a model completely based on a 19th century agrarian economy. More than a few things have changed since then (Having election day on a Tuesday--so people have time to get from their homes on the farm into the nearest town to vote--is something else that should be reconsidered...)

A new year-round school calendar would also help make the utilization of existing school faciliites more efficient...instead of multi-million dollar buildings sitting unused three months out of every year.

And that's primarily why so many schools are going to year round facilities here it seems. There is such a population explosion that they can not build new schools fast enough. Top that off with it makes no sense leaving a state funded facility vacant for almost three months.

^^ On what basis, exactly? Sue a school district for attempting to improve public eduation...that would make CF's brilliant move of filing suit against the unions in NE Ohio for unfair boycott look like a PR masterpiece in comparison. (And, as Interpreter has maintained on several occassions, still continues to negatively impact GL's attendance..)

Oddly enough, the responsibility of public education is not dependent on the business needs/model of an amusement park operator (which, in the big picture of the US economy is pretty small potatos at that...)

Exactly, schools must adjust to the needs of educting the children. And if other businesses have to adjust to meet their needs, they will certainly be able to adapt to that.

[TQZ]

I doubt that it would help the amusement park business much, as far as attracting visitors. How many people are going to take advantage of that extra time to go to an amusement park. And if they do, they will probably go once or twice. Parents like the day care.

I would look at it as a way to keep the place open longer, because now they have employees to work it, being that most of the employees are high schoolers (which there is nothing wrong with.)

[CoolCoasterMan]

I would definately be for a school calander that didn't start clas till after labor day weekend, and ended memorial day. It would be great for the amusement park industry for a varitey of reasons. For one thing, it would allow them to operate everyday during peak season, instead of the limited operations it is during August. Besides that, it would help with finding labor for the seasonal jobs. Ride operators, food, games, etc. those type of jobs. If the college or high school kids were off than, finding the necessary labor would be much easier.

Of course this would require schools to revise their schedule. I am not sure how many days are required, but this would be a shorter year. So that would mean a shorter winter and spring break. Either that, or longer hours. I still would be for it. I think a mandatory school calander would be better. Each school would be on the same schedule, that alone would help alot of businesses.

[BoddaH1994]

A new year-round school calendar would also help make the utilization of existing school faciliites more efficient...instead of multi-million dollar buildings sitting unused three months out of every year.

I can think of two different hundred million dollar buildings downtown that are only used six months out of the year.

[WooferBearATL]

A new year-round school calendar would also help make the utilization of existing school faciliites more efficient...instead of multi-million dollar buildings sitting unused three months out of every year.

I can think of two different hundred million dollar buildings downtown that are only used six months out of the year.

Yes, but they're not asking the voters to build additional stadiums because there are not enough of them to meet the needs.

[Avatar]

Keep in mind that when given the facts to parents and they are asked to show support for one or the other, Parents usually look at the educational aspect of the issue as well as the economical and convenience side of the issue.

The educational side is that the year-round students retain a lot of their knowledge and study habits better than the now current traditional schedule students.

Working parents find it a lot easier to find some one to watch their children for the summer with the shortened schedule or they find it easier to afford a few weeks of camps or day care spread out over the year verses the 10-12 weeks in one long shot. If a family wants to take more than one vacation per year the year-round schedule is great for saving for the vacation and they are well spaced apart.

Parents also find that the year-round schedule works well for them as far as keeping the family on a pretty set year-round schedule and love the extended breaks spread-out through the year basically they love the consistency of the year-round schools.

Sadly for the Tourist destinations one of the last things that they consider is how it will affect their summer family vacation and their use of swimming pools or amusement park experiences. They see that they will have 5-6 weeks to go on vacation, do all the swimming and to at least get to the parks within that time frame.

If you are a student and can read this post you will most likely not be affected by this change unless your parents go out and seek a year-round school for you, so don’t worry too much. But the transformation is already in motion and every year more and more school districts are converting to this Schedule. Administrators like because it keeps their students more focused throughout the year and the test results are very favorable to the year-round schedule. School boards and Superintendents often start half the district on the year round school and offer the parents to voluntarily sign up and they usually go straight to a wait list then after a couple years and with a long waiting list convert the rest of the district to the year-round schedule with little resistance.

O Please hear me Tourist Industry change is coming please take note and help your future by getting engaged in this transformation so Florida is not the only destination

[WooferBearATL]

Agreed, now take in mind that this is something that was just being discussed when I was in school (some 20 odd years ago) and it is just now coming to fruition.

It's not as if this will suddenly change as of next year.

[Avatar]

You speak with great wisdom Woofer as I have seen this progression start slowly, the thing is issues like this do start slowly then gain a great amount of speed especially when there is a proven success as far as the quality of the education goes and the high test scores coming from those communities. Politicians will drive this issue hard now and I suspect that within the next 10-15 years it will be the norm.

That’s why I’m saying I hope that the Tourist Industry is gearing up to put a thoughtful plan into motion before it’s too late.

[Guest kwindshawne]

I would definately be for a school calander that didn't start clas till after labor day weekend, and ended memorial day. It would be great for the amusement park industry for a varitey of reasons. For one thing, it would allow them to operate everyday during peak season, instead of the limited operations it is during August. Besides that, it would help with finding labor for the seasonal jobs. Ride operators, food, games, etc. those type of jobs. If the college or high school kids were off than, finding the necessary labor would be much easier.

Of course this would require schools to revise their schedule. I am not sure how many days are required, but this would be a shorter year. So that would mean a shorter winter and spring break. Either that, or longer hours. I still would be for it. I think a mandatory school calander would be better. Each school would be on the same schedule, that alone would help alot of businesses.

When I was in school-(a while ago) we started after labor day and got out just after memorial day. Cut some of the BS teacher work days and what not, and maybe it would be doable. The amount of days off during the year was a hardship for me when my daughter was still in school, and I don't remember having that many days off when I was still in school.

[KI-ORIG-EMP]

When I was in school (Kings High School) we did not start school until after Labor day and school was dismissed for the sumer by Memorial Day. The only day we had off for spring break was Good Friday. Places like Kings Island depends on high school students and closed and reduced their hours during the last week or two in August. The biggest complaint we had was that not all of the rides were operating. It was tough to have all the rides open and tried to have the major rides open. By having students go back to school after Labor Day were allow increased revenue by having the park staffed during August and increased atendence during the month.

Mike

[Avatar]

I can’t believe I’m making another post regarding this matter but since it was brought back up I will make a quick update since my last post.

Last week here in Indianapolis two facts came out;

First one was the test scores; the charter schools where very exited to see huge gains in their test scores, while the public schools saw yet a significant decrease in their scores even after they threw major amounts of money at the test score problems. In fact the Charter schools scored 42% higher over the public schools.

Second one was the Superintendent of the Indianapolis Public Schools announced that because so many new students are leaving to go to the more popular charter schools that they needed to shut down several local schools and to lay-off some teachers by next school year. He also added that if the current trend continues more closings and lay-offs will be forth coming

So sounds like the Year Round .Charter schools here in Indianapolis is kicking into high gear enough so that it’s forcing major changes here. I’ll just add that the Charter Schools usually buy the closed schools so that they can accommodate their fast growing new student enrollments and hire some of the good layed off teachers.