The Delaware Senate passed State Senator Gerald Hocker’s Senate Bill 161, which would prevent Delaware public schools from opening before Labor Day. It barely passed though. 11 voted yes while 10 voted no. Many of the no votes were from Senators who live in New Castle County, while most of the yes votes live in Kent or Sussex County. It can be rare to see a Delaware bill split based on the location of the legislators, but this one definitely fits that scenario.
The bill will now make a trip to the House Education Committee. If it is released from committee, it will be interesting to see how the vote splits in the House. But they better hurry as the legislative session ends on June 30th!
The Season Of Myths 
WTF Lavelle was swing. From the north.
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How bout them apples! Look at the co-sponsors on this from the House. This thing could pass overall! http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis148.nsf/vwLegislation/SB+161/$file/legis.html?open
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There is no point in going back before Labor Day. Schools should start after Labor Day and end at Memorial Day.
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Why?
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I like the idea of starting after Labor Day, because starting before and then having the longer weekend I think is a difficult transition for younger kids.
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This would mean we go to school longer in June. When it starts getting hot no one wants to be in school.
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Actually, the four day weeks in the beginning of the year due to the Labor Day holiday help students transition from their Summer schedule to the school year. Jumping right into 5 day weeks is difficult for students, and families! Also, instructional time in the early weeks is productive, once June hits instructional time is much less productive, students are tired, less motivated and ready for Summer. Let districts decide what is best for their students.
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I’m not sure how I feel about this. I’m a 10 month employee at a school so I can see how this would allow our teens to work longer at summer jobs and earn more money, how it would benefit our families who want to take a vacation before/during Labor Day weekend, and how it would also have us in school longer during the hotter weather. Even though practically all of the schools have air conditioning, it doesn’t mean that the units are working properly. It could be good, but it could also be bad.
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Now how about a 9-3 school day instead of the crack of dawn
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As a teacher and a parent in delaware, I’m definitely interested in this bill. As a person not from here originally, I’m not sure I understand the obsession with delaware starting before labor day. Northern schools start in September, and end in June. Southern schools start in August and end in May. I’m fine with either option, but delaware seems to be stuck between the 2, which sucks.
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