My East Ky

With my little girl now 4 years old and soon to be 5. Me and her mother decided it was a great idea to get her into preschool, plus our daughter was more than ready to go. She is/was totally excited. Almost every day we play/pretend that she has homework to do, has multiple book bags varying from Dora the explorer to Winnie the Pooh. So around 2 or 3 months ago we went to sign her up, and were told we would receive a letter either accepting or denying her. At the time the only possible reason I could think of denying her a head start is that the classes was filled to capacity, first come first serve kind of thing.

Fast forward to this week (one week before school starts) and we still have not heard anything from the Floyd County Board of Education. We even decided to attend the open house at one of the Floyd County Schools. At the open house we did learn that 1 preschool class had 16 out of 20 slots filled. So we were optimistic that she would be attending school this year. But we left not knowing if she was going to be able to attend.

So today a couple of calls were made and to our surprise we were told that she was not eligible because of our income. Apparently we make too much money. Yes that’s right, we have a very eager young lady wanting to attend school and 2 parents that want the best for their child but was denied because we make too much money? I thought something was strange when check stubs were required when she was signed up. I just assumed they use it for statistics or something? Not to look at the amount of money parents make and say you make too much so you must wait. What kind of system is this? What really gets me irritated is that there is room for her. Why is this decision based on income?

Don’t get me wrong I completely understand children with disabilities, should have first serve to help them improve. But as I stated they said they have room! On the Kentucky Department Of Education it states

Kentucky’s preschool education programs are available for all four-year-old children whose family income is no more than 150% of poverty; all three and four-year-old children with developmental delays and disabilities, regardless of income; and other four-year- old children as placements are available based on district decision.  The preschool program is designed to be developmentally appropriate for young children.  “Developmentally appropriate” is defined in law to mean that the program focuses on the child’s physical, intellectual, social and emotional development, including interpersonal, intrapersonal, and socialization skills.

OK first there is room in the class, second: how can they tell what is “Developmentally appropriate” by income. Funny thing is that half the people we talk to tells us that there are always students that stop going and she will more than likely be able to attend around Christmas.

Fun Fact: The USA Poverty level for 2008 with a household of 3 is $17,600.00

With the price of fuel soaring and no end in sight there has been some reports that the school systems in Floyd, Pike and Letcher County may go to a 4 day school week. Jenkins Independent schools has had a 4 day school week for 3 years already and there reports are that it’s a success, faculty and student attendance are up.

Now if I was back in school I would absolutely love this, having Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off woo hoo!! But unfortunately I’m not and having my little one starting school in the fall I find myself opposing the 4 day school week for a few reasons.

• With the extra day off what are school kids to do? It seems they are already bored. Just ask any teenager what is there to do around here and I’ll bet there response will be nothing or getting into mischief.
  
• An extra weekday off that means a lot of parents are going to have to find daycare, another expense for the parents.
  
• Are they not reports that find that the longer students are away from school the less information is retained? And going an extra hour or so a day in my opinion is not enough. That comes to about 10 to 15 min extra each class.
• I’m sure some of the faculty members love the idea of a 4 day school week. But I can guess one that does not. How about the school bus drivers that are paid by the hour? By going to a 4 day school week you just cut their paycheck by 20%, how would you like to get cut 20% on your check?
  

To me there has to be other methods/ideas that need to be explored before a 4 day school week is implemented.