Thank you to everyone who took Drummond’s survey about the CPS extended day plans.
The LSC took the results, along with feedback from our administration and teachers, and yesterday we sent a letter to CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard and the members of the Board of Education, sharing with them our hopes and concerns about the proposed extended day.
The survey results sent a clear message, with 91.5 percent of respondents preferring a school day shorter that the 7.5 hours proposed by CPS. Of special concern was the length of the school day for our youngest students, with 70 percent expressing support for Early Childhood having a shorter day than our older students. There were also clear concerns about the future of afterschool activities and homework if a longer day is adopted.
We also appreciated the preferences about how the additional time should be used, with Recess, Science, Foreign Language, Math, Montessori Work Period and Art topping the list.
The letter to CPS expressed our desire to collaborate with CPS to make a longer day a success, as they have collaborated with us to make our Montessori program successful. However we were clear about our parents desires as communicated in the survey, and about our practical concerns, primarily that no funding has been identified by CPS for implementing this program.
I encourage you to check out the letter and the survey results. A copy can be downloaded here: Drummond LSC Extended Day Survey and Letter.