Discussions

Has anyone else heard that the schools are staying open and allowing certain students to stay in the building during the afternoon admin thing on Nov. 2?

what school, district ect would help

Yes, if the school has a YMCA before and after school program, then that program will be running in the school for the full afternoon for those kids that are registered for it.

Just like on dangerous weather days, I heard all schools will be open all afternoon and all students that need to stay will be allowed.

Where you got your info from....this is untrue! There are workshops planned for staff and unless you have signed your child up for the y program...no staff will be at the schools. They are attending professional development!

YMCA is running half-day camps at most schools.  
Register online here:  
 
https://onlineca.activecommunities.com/brandonymca/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp

Do the kids have the morning or afternoon off? Unfortunately the way the days off calendar is set up it can be construed either way.

Go to school like regular day but day ends at lunch time. From what I understand lunch program is running till when lunch recess would start....but that's when children need to be picked up.

Go to school like regular day but day ends at lunch time. From what I understand lunch program is running till when lunch recess would start....but that's when children need to be picked up.

Pick up at 11:45. No lunch program

kirss1 said "Go to school like regular day but day ends at lunch time. From what I understand lunch program is running till when lunch recess would start....but that's when children need to be picked up. "

Thank you for letting me know. I clearly had it backwards.

Are both running their lunch programs.

To be signed up as a regular lunch kid though.

It's different from school to school. Talk to teacher and principal.

Whoever came up with the idea of half day professional development days for teachers certainly were not thinking of parents and their availability or not to pick up or drop off their child(ren) at the lunch hour. For many parents, getting time off work in the middle of the day is not an option. I really feel for those who cannot be there for their children and those who may not have family or friends who can help out on those days. From what I understand the Y programs are full with lengthy waiting lists at most schools so that is not an option for many.

Anyone have any idea what is happening for kids the bus? Mine is in High school, so old enough to come home alone, but takes the bus. I am assuming the bus will bring them back at lunch?

theeagle said "Anyone have any idea what is happening for kids the bus? Mine is in High school, so old enough to come home alone, but takes the bus. I am assuming the bus will bring them back at lunch? "

he following schedule has been created for students who currently receive transportation services from the Brandon School Division:  
 
AM Professional Development Day - PM Regular Classes:  
Your regular bus will arrive 4 hours later than your normal morning pick up. For example, if your regular morning pick-up is 7:45 am, then pick-up time will be 11:45 am.  
 
AM Regular Classes: PM Professional Development Day:  
Your regular bus will arrive 4 hours earlier than your normal afternoon drop-off. For example, if your regular afternoon drop-off time is 4:15 pm then drop off time will be 12:15 pm.  
 
Should you have any questions regarding transportation during these six half-days, please contact:  
 
Transportation Office  
Phone: 204-729-3975

The BSD website has the info. Bus will be 4 hours earlier, or later than normal. EG: if your regular pick up is 7:45, then it will be 11:45. Same rules apply in the pm. EG: drop off is at 4:15, then it will be at 12:15. Please call the Transportation office at 204-729-3975.  
 
Edited by daisychain, 2017-10-30 13:27:36

Thanks to Degenerate108 and daisychain. Really appreciate the info - guess I missed it on the website.

I hate these half days. What a pain in the rear!

My daughter’s class had 6 kids missing today. It’s too hard for parents to make half days work. How is this good for the kids

RC123 said "My daughter’s class had 6 kids missing today. It’s too hard for parents to make half days work. How is this good for the kids "

Or the parents for that matter, I can't for the life of me understand how anyone thought this schedule would be good for anyone involved in the first place.

Degenerate108 said "    RC123 said "My daughter’s class had 6 kids missing today. It’s too hard for parents to make half days work. How is this good for the kids " Or the parents for that matter, I can't for the life of me understand how anyone thought this schedule would be good for anyone involved in the first place. "

I think the school division said that they would save something like $80,000 by going to half days.

May as well let the kids stay home we all know how productive half days are. What a waste.  
 
How again does this save money anyways?

Worst idea ever.  
 
The y is happy as they are getting 20 bucks a kid for the afternoon not even in their facility. So score for them.  
 
I imagine the money saved is largely fictional when the dust settles on the logistical nightmare they have created. Phone the school board to complain.  
 
Edited by Woody94, 2017-11-02 14:58:07

this is the next PD day, this time it's morning off, school in the afternoon...crazy.

I have emailed the school division and also told transportation my thoughts on this as well. I agree! We as parents must speak up if this doesn’t work. The next one is even more inconvenient.  
 
There is no way this saves money. Buses run more than they usually do. I was told the issue was with the teachers not attending the PD days. This will likely fix that problem but at whose expense? The parents and the kids.  
 
Please let the school division know what your thoughts on this ridiculous schedule are. They won’t change it back if they think everyone is on board

My high school child had a substitute teacher for 2 of his 3 morning classes? So this 1/2 day is saving money how??

Those teachers were likely away/sick and the half day likely didn’t have anything to do with it.  
 
I did hear the bus schedule cuts third period short

RC123 said "Those teachers were likely away/sick and the half day likely didn’t have anything to do with it.     I did hear the bus schedule cuts third period short "

Nope, they were told the teachers were in meetings.  
 
Each period was 10 minutes shorter than normal as their lunch break is not normally until 12:15