School’s earlier start time will increase daycare costs.
Karen Seidman / John Mahoney, The Gazette
Mia Archibald and her son Jeremie Morgan outside St. John Fisher School in Pointe Claire.
Archibald is behind a petition demanding the school not change the school day start time from 9 to 8 a. m.
An earlier start time at St. John Fisher elementary school for the new school year has sparked a war of words between parents who are opposed to the change and those who support it.
The opposing parents have started a petition, but so far, school board officials have been adamant that the request for an early start time came from the school’s governing board and that only a small group of parents aren’t happy with the change.
At a board meeting last week, governing board member Sandra Gesualdi said some parents had been “ bullied” into signing the petition and lamented the fact the change has caused parents to “ bicker.”
Parent Mia Archibald, who spearheaded the petition, said Gesualdi’s assertion was ridiculous and that she was still awaiting proof of the board’s contention that studies show an earlier start is beneficial academically to students.
The Pointe Claire school, which had started at 9 a. m., will be starting at 8 a. m. come September.
ACDSA Editorial comment: Although we currently are not privy to the inner details of the case, it does appear to us that the governing board information is woefully out of date. Please check time print of website With the LBPSB having control over its schools’ web pages, it is delinquent of the board not to update school Governing Board information.
Parents are correct that they are not being informed properly.Also, we do know that the school board will argue both sides of the early start issue depending on how it fits into its plans. In the past it has put forth arguments and research in supporting late starts; while in this case, it is arguing for early starts. We understand that decisions are made on busing requirements. What we do not understand is why they treat parents with such disdain and dishonesty. State the facts as to why a change has to happen but do not treat the community as fools by using both sides of the argument to get approval for your plan. It is insulting and just adds another reason as to why there is such distrust of the LBPSB in the general community.
The LBPSB with control over the LBPSB institutions’ web pages is delinquent in not keeping school Governing Board information up to date. Parents are correct that they are not being informed properly.
While parents are worrying about increased day care costs. M. Tabachnick and company were using tax payers money for a mini holiday in Newfoundland. Oh sorry a convention. Pleeeeeeeeease.
Sorry submitted twice.
Same old BS from the same shovelers.
Same old BS from the same shovelers.