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A later start for school year wouldn't work

Re: Later date for starting school is a smart idea, Jan. 13 Andrew Skerritt column:

As an educator with 30 years' experience, 26 in this region, I would like to say that starting the school year closer to Labor Day is almost impossible to do and still have the end of the semester before the winter break.

Understanding that there are 180 days of school, 90 for each semester, we would have to start school Aug. 18 for the 2006-07 fall semester to end on Dec. 22. The school year would not have any days off for teacher planning, or any other holidays except Labor Day and Thanksgiving, and students would be going to school the day before and the day after Thanksgiving.

Start counting back from Dec. 22 and see where 90 days brings you.

Next year we are lucky that Nov. 11 is a Saturday and we won't have to face the concern about going to school on that day for two years. Don't forget that there is a statewide teacher in-service day in the fall and the county has required the teachers to attend two days of in-service each year.

One letter writer made several good points about why starting late is not a good idea. One point not mentioned is that several years ago, when Pasco County was in school two or more weeks longer in June than neighboring counties, Pasco students were not as successful in finding summer employment; the other students had taken the summer jobs first because they were out before the end of May and could therefore start working earlier than Pasco students.

Having taught high school for 26 years in Pasco, I know the value of having the end of semester exams before the winter break. Students used to have to come back to school after more than 14 physical days off and then try to review and cram for semester exams during the two weeks after winter break. This was difficult for the high school students and did not make sense as the college students had finished their classes and were coming back ready to start a new semester.

Ending school before Memorial Day gives the students 10 uninterrupted weeks of summer vacation, which again makes more sense than trying to break up the summer months with half of June and three-fourths of August for vacation.

I don't know what Skerritt was thinking when he wrote, "With some imagination, they can still accomplish that with a later start," but from Aug. 18 to Dec. 22 there is only time off for Labor Day and Thanksgiving, and that is only an eight-day start difference from Aug. 8, Doug VanEtten, New Port Richey

Re: County passes on Spanish Web site, Jan. 25 Times:

Hooray for the Hernando County Commission!

Why does our culture have to change to accommodate those who want to use the numerous public services it has developed over the years? If people want to take advantage of the county's free services (health, welfare, food stamps, human services, etc.), let them do the changing and ask for it in English.

Community loses a true icon

Re: The late Frank Bierwiler:

Frank Bierwiler was an icon to the community of Spring Hill. I met Mr. Bierwiler when we had a Democrat Club in the early days of Spring Hill and he was president of the club.

He was respected not only by the elderly, but he was very good to the children in their early years of growing up to become better teens.

It is true about his devotion to help the needy. I recall a family's car broke down and he gave up a station wagon to give them transportation they needed for their destination.

I think God sent Frank to us for a reason. His illness never kept him from helping. He always kept up his spirits and smile.

The community lost a great legend; they come few and far in between.

Your work is done, Frank. Your rewards are waiting. We will miss you.

[Last modified January 27, 2006, 01:21:16]