What are they thinking?

I haven't posted anything on our new numbered-day system in our schools, because I have been so angry about it. Now that I've calmed down somewhat, I feel I can adequately address this fiasco.

Here is my letter to the Editor, which (I think) describes everything:
Dear Sir,

The Lambton Kent District School Board’s (LKDSB) recent announcement to move to a 5-day numbered system in their schools is mind-boggling. For students who are in grades 1 - 8 this new system will have minimal impact. However, for junior and senior kindergarten students the numbered system is nothing short of disastrous.

Currently JK and SK students attend school every other day and alternating Fridays (i.e. Monday / Wednesday, or Tuesday / Thursday). With the 5 day numbered system, kindergarten students will attend school on any random combination of days throughout the week, including: Monday / Wednesday one week, other weeks Wednesday / Friday, and still other weeks Tuesday / Thursday.

Kindergarten is the first introduction to school for our youngest students (many of whom are only 3 ½ upon entry in September). As most parents and early childhood educators know, kindergartners thrive on routine and regularity, and the numbered system provides none of this. Where is the consistency and regularity in going to school on a random assortment of days? How many times are children going to be dropped off at school on the wrong day simply because the calendar is so confusing? Putting aside the impact on the children (as this new system clearly does), let’s look at another group that is impacted by this: the parents.

Many working parents like me schedule our days of work based on when our children are in school. This new system completely throws any type of scheduling into chaos. Even the most understanding of employer can’t base a schedule around a system which is completely arbitrary and has no rhyme or reason. What will working parents do?

Daytime extra-curricular activities are also undermined by the numbered system. On the days when our children aren’t in school, parents typically schedule activities like story-time, swimming lessons, gymnastics, music classes, etc. However, this will be next to impossible with the numbered-day system because again, the school days are completely random. Because of this decision, how many children will be unable to participate in these valuable activities?

The powers that be (which include the Ministry of Education, the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario, and the LKDSB) have decided that their interests override the interests of our children. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought the education system was supposed to be based on the best interests of the children, and not what is most convenient for the Board and Ministry.

Teachers and principals alike have expressed their vehement dislike in applying the numbered day system to kindergarten because it is confusing, random, and detrimental to the students. Parents are in an uproar because of the lack of consultation and notice, and because this system seriously jeopardizes shift and part-time working parents. Day-time extra-curricular activities are now in jeopardy because of this. So where is the benefit? How is this NOT going to impact the quality of education for kindergarten students?

It is time for reason and sanity to prevail, and for the LKDSB, ETFO and the Ministry to realize that the numbered day system can not and should not be implemented for kindergarten students.

Here is a picture of what the new schedule looks like for Kindergarten students. In our school, JK's (aka Quinn's year) will be going on circle days which are white:


As you can see, it is a complete and utter mess. I really hope enough people complain and write letters, because this new system is nothing short of moronic when it comes to Kindergarten.