Not everyday is challenging

and exciting, but the hours are passed in a friendly and enjoyable atmosphere.

Forget 'balanced,' reinstate

the 'traditional' calendar

What ever lies that have gone

half way around the world in the form of year-round school with all its

aliases (including the so-called "balanced" calendar), it's

time we looked firmly at truth and consequences and squared things up

for the best possible value in terms of long-term effects as the goals

most appropriate to meet the needs of public education.

The traditional calendar is

the most effective and efficient means to accomplish the public school

systems' role in American life (grades 1 through 12). Traditionalists

seek the highest standards in academic achievement, optimal opportunities

for diversity and individualized growth, and all at the best possible

price.

Highest possible academic achievement:

Maintain onetime effects of memory loss/retention and review. Maintain

focus on building stamina and strong work ethic while still providing

maximum down time for freedom of choice, and individualized growth potential.

Maintain focus on traditional foundation building of basic skills.

Optimal opportunities for diversity

and individualized growth: Maintain parental influences with their children

and sustain family values by utilizing maximum summer block time off from

required academic pursuits. Maintain traditional summer programs such

as Scouts and 4-H. Maintain remedial catchup opportunity in summer program

and especially provide English programs for foreign nationals, as this

need continues to rise even in our community.

Cost effectiveness: Minimize

building use and expenses by leaving only a single magnet school open

during the summer for the disadvantaged or to meet remedial needs. Minimize

seasonal expenses such as air conditioning costs for all school buildings

during the hottest summer months. Maximize teacher compensation and time

off for professional development seminars, college courses for advanced

degrees, accreditation requirements, time with their own families, time

for self-improvement or R-and-R, and time to plan adequately for the upcoming

year.

Teachers are effectively involved

in academic pursuits year-round regardless of the calendar and should

be rewarded appropriately to assure the best possible professional outcome.

Even teachers' down time provides the opportunity to renew their creative

energies and build stamina for their demanding jobs.

It's been difficult enough

to get adequate pay raises using the cost-effective traditional calendar;

the modified "balanced" calendar further reduces the funds available.

The best choice: The needs

of the school system, parents, teachers, and children are best met by

reinstating the traditional school calendar that provides a summer break

lasting from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Any compromise of this summer

break reduces the effectiveness of the school system. The only acceptable

compromise is and always has been the need to offset days missed during

the school year for unforeseen inclement weather. Further, there's no

need to align grades 1 through 12 with colleges and universities. Children

(ages 5 through 18) should have the maximum opportunity for diversity

and freedom. It's their only opportunity for a creative, individualized

childhood while being supported by both their family and the school system.

College life is and should be meant to align closer to the rigors of adult

life.

Even a modified calendar is

a gross compromise that has clearly opened the door for further compromises

down the road, as we have seen developing over the last several years

here and all around the country. Each time a day, a week, or a two-week

block is given up to effect the "balanced" calendar, it further

erodes the cost-effectiveness of the traditional calendar and all its

educational objectives, as well as further eroding parent/child relationships.

Reinstate the traditional calendar.

Anything else would be shortsighted and irresponsible.

Kathie Prado

Peachtree City