No School In August
It seems like summer fun is a thing of the past. School ends in May and begins in early August. Instead of getting that last vacation, we are scurrying around buying school supplies. What happened to going back to school after Labor Day? There are many disadvantages in going back to school in August. I am going to point out a few of them.
The most obvious is the missed vacation in August. Everyone knows that it has always been the month for the last summer vacation. I would think that tourism suffers, when the summer break is abruptly ended. Local pools sit unused for an entire month. Theme parks only see visitors on the weekend. The bottom line is that money is lost due to going back so early.
August is just too hot, for school. I am sure the kids would agree that going back to school in August, the hottest month, is miserable. Who wants to go back to school in temperatures over 90 degrees? Everyday tasks of walking to and from the bus stop become a journey thru the desert. Yet, there is no oasis to be found. Besides that, who can pay attention in class? The summer is at its peak. There are too many places yet to go. The sound of the ocean waves call your name. The screams of the rollercoaster racing along the tracks echo in your head. There is too much fun to be had. I am sure there is a lot of daydreaming going on.
Another issue is safety. There are many extra-curricular outdoor activities. Many student athletes suffer from heat exhaustion every year. And unfortunately, there have been some fatalities. Kids can’t adapt to temperatures as well. They don’t know the signs of heat related illnesses. They don’t know the signs of dehydration. It is hard to focus on any sport, when beads of sweat are running off of your forehead. How can you catch a football, when your hands are clammy?
Another point to consider is the cost to the school system. Hot temperatures require non-stop use of the air conditioning systems, both in the classroom and on the buses. It isn’t an option when it is hot outside. There is nothing worse than sitting on hot leather seats. Sounds like a 1st degree burn. The cost of maintaining and replacing non-functioning units is expensive. This sounds like a burden on a school system that always needs money. I am sure these funds could be put to better use. How about making sure everyone has textbooks to use? Why not make sure every school is equipped with enough computers? Where are the rational decision makers?
I am sure you can tell that I am not an advocate for kids going back to school in August. Besides my personal opinions, there are many true facts that support my position. Let's bring back the “good ole’days”, when kids can enjoy the hottest month swimming, having fun on vacation, and keeping cool.