Question of the Week

Should Portsmouth Schools Start 90 Minutes Late For Teacher Training?

The Portsmouth School District is looking at starting school 90 minutes late once or twice a month for teacher development training. Do you think is a good idea for the district?

Earlier this week, the Portsmouth School District sent out a survey to parents, asking them whether or not they approved of a proposal to start school 90 minutes late during the next school year. The late time would only be once or twice per month, according to the district, and provide the opportunity to train teachers without paying for substitutes. "The purpose of late start days would be to provide teachers with professional development time without putting substitute teachers in our children's classrooms so frequently. This would also allow the school department to provide professional development without paying additional funds to pay either for teacher time or for substitute teachers," wrote Superintendent of Schools Susan Lusi in …

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Distant Cousin

4:24 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011

This was proposed by the school department not the teachers. They proposed it for two reasons: 1. because parents complained that their children did not benefit as much from substitute teachers, and 2. to save the money they pay substitute teachers. Come on, understand what the facts are before you just assume this is because Portsmouth has lazy teachers. Are you even capable of embarrassing …   more ›

Portsmouth School District Seeks Parents' Input on Starting School Late

The Portsmouth School District issued the following online survey to parents on Tuesday afternoon.

The Portsmouth School District is seeking parents' input on instituting "late start days" for the next school year. Once or twice a month, school in Portsmouth would start 90 minutes later than usual in order for teachers to receive professional development training, according to school officials. Buses would also start 90 minutes late. Outgoing Superintendent of Schools Susan Lusi released the following letter about "late start days" to parents via e-mail on Tuesday afternoon. A link to the survey is available at the end of the letter: Dear Portsmouth Parents and Guardians, The Portsmouth School Department is considering instituting Late Start Days 1-2 times per month for the coming school year. The purpose of late start days would be to …

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Heather

7:22 pm on Monday, June 27, 2011

Not saying it is the way to go - but Switzerland reviews and keeps teachers largely based on the reviews sent in by parents. I think review by outcome is ridiculous as parents SHOULD play a larger part in theri children's success that a teacher (although sadly that is not always the case). Maybe just adding a 360 degree review to the current process would be beneficial to see what parents think …   more ›