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The sequencing in districts where high schools start earliest, then middle schools, then elementary feels backwards to me though. Elementary school parents who

The sequencing in districts where high schools start earliest, then middle schools, then elementary feels backwards to me though. Elementary school parents who have jobs to get to wind up needing preschool care to fill that gap between their departure time and school start - high school age siblings aren’t even available to cover. Late elementary school drop off times impact parents’ options for work and commuting. High school age kids can (or certainly should be able to) get themselves to school, so later starts don’t interfere with other family routines.

lolinder 4y ago
The staggering works best for the return from school. There are 2-3 hours at the end of the day where school is out but mom's not home yet, and having the high schooler finished by the time the 3rd grader is out means they can fill in that gap.
- jameshart 4y ago
  Elementary age kids whose parents work are going to need afterschool care. I think that’s inevitable, and honestly solvable. Teenage siblings are a fairly limited part of that solution. I think forcing all the additional logistical complexity and cost of pre-school-day care is an accidental and unnecessary layer though.
- jobs_throwaway 4y ago
  High school children spending hours a day covering childcare duties for their parents should not be the policy goal. That circumstance is a failure for the younger children to have proper activities/supervision after school.
  - lolinder 4y ago
    My controversial opinion is that the policy goal should be to enable at least one parent to stay at home. I couldn't care less which parent it is, but kids need one at home.
hgsgm 4y ago
The obvious solution is extdended day care at school, on both sides, not focing5 older kids to run parenting around their own school commute.
- HDThoreaun 4y ago
  Biden tried that. Manchin shut it down. For now this is the best we can have.
HDThoreaun 4y ago
I think high school generally starts earliest so that sports/extracurriculars can practice after school for two hours before the sun sets. Elementary schoolers just go home.

lolinder 4y ago

The staggering works best for the return from school. There are 2-3 hours at the end of the day where school is out but mom's not home yet, and having the high schooler finished by the time the 3rd grader is out means they can fill in that gap.

jameshart 4y ago
Elementary age kids whose parents work are going to need afterschool care. I think that’s inevitable, and honestly solvable. Teenage siblings are a fairly limited part of that solution. I think forcing all the additional logistical complexity and cost of pre-school-day care is an accidental and unnecessary layer though.
jobs_throwaway 4y ago
High school children spending hours a day covering childcare duties for their parents should not be the policy goal. That circumstance is a failure for the younger children to have proper activities/supervision after school.
- lolinder 4y ago
  My controversial opinion is that the policy goal should be to enable at least one parent to stay at home. I couldn't care less which parent it is, but kids need one at home.

hgsgm 4y ago

The obvious solution is extdended day care at school, on both sides, not focing5 older kids to run parenting around their own school commute.

HDThoreaun 4y ago
Biden tried that. Manchin shut it down. For now this is the best we can have.

HDThoreaun 4y ago

I think high school generally starts earliest so that sports/extracurriculars can practice after school for two hours before the sun sets. Elementary schoolers just go home.