Get Schooled

By Tammy

September 23, 2005 04:14 PM | Link to this

How is that going to save gas? The teens will spend all day running up and down the roads using gas when they would be in school saving gas.

By Ernest

September 23, 2005 04:18 PM | Link to this

Just verified this on the WSBTV site and our crack education reporter confirmed it. My concern is the timing of this announcement. Elementary school let out after it was made. It will probably be a logistical nightmare. I can imagine many parents will have ‘comments’ about this.

By Trip

September 23, 2005 04:19 PM | Link to this

The school systems have really upset me and other working parents of elementary and middle school kids. By waiting until 4 p.m. on Friday to announce that schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday, we’re in a tough spot. What daycare can be arranged on such short notice? How will employers react to so many workers suddenly needing to take two days off next week to care for their kids unexpectedly? This is a typical bone-headed government move. Thanks, school boards and Gov. Perdue!

By Dave

September 23, 2005 04:19 PM | Link to this

It is just amazing the amount of panic and unnecessary interruption of the average family’s life that this is going to cause. It is outrageous!! I thought we learned a little from the last time!!!

By Renee La-Viscount

September 23, 2005 04:20 PM | Link to this

Unless these teens have JOBS, they should NOT be allowed to run up and down the roads burning gas. It is the parents responsibility to enforce how their teens utilize their time and resources.

By Renee

September 23, 2005 04:21 PM | Link to this

That is the most STUPIDEST thing I’ve ever heard! What about the parents that have to SPEND Money to find somewhere for our kids to GO!

Get with the freaking program!

By Eileen

September 23, 2005 04:21 PM | Link to this

How will that save gas? You obviously have never been a bus driver. Do you know how much gas that takes? Maybe if your paying for the teens gas you say. STAY HOME and save my money. If they don’t have gas they can’t waste it. I remember when parents used to be in charge NOT THE KIDS. Not too mention the gas saved by staff members.

By TeacherGuy

September 23, 2005 04:22 PM | Link to this

…And Now For Something Completely Crazy!!!

Today at school, the entire staff was told to “stop teaching” and have children create “authentic, hands-on artifacts” that coincide with the concept based unit that we are studying. Is this right? Do administrators higher-up than the principal have the right to instill this type of fear in our school systems?

We are studying a B-R-O-A-D topic and at my Grade Level, this requires a lot of background information before students can produce “artifacts.” All this did was to serve as notice to our new teachers that they do not want to stay here!

Crazy, crazy, crazy…

By Wilson

September 23, 2005 04:23 PM | Link to this

You have to be kidding me. First Perdue cuts the gas tax…which pulls money from educational programs and only saves about $3 per fill-up, then he CLOSES SCHOOLS!!! It’s official, he hates kids.

By Myrna

September 23, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

There should be a 4 day work days. Alternate. Monday and Friday. Some the first day of the workday week and some on Friday, the last workday, until we recover. Take 30 min lunch and come in each day report to work 30 min early and stay 30 mins late.

By TJ

September 23, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

I don’t think it is a good idea. That may force parents to have to take off from their jobs to stay home with the kids. Everyone is not able to do that. Two day is alot.

By Jo kanter

September 23, 2005 04:27 PM | Link to this

Bold: This makes no sense. This is not a temporary problem. Serves them right for sending us back to school in the middle of a bloody hot summer!!

By Amy

September 23, 2005 04:28 PM | Link to this

Probably not a bad idea with all the miles those buses eat up.
Personally, we filled up our cars last night to avoid the gas hikes that are inevitably going happen because of Rita.

By Jo kanter

September 23, 2005 04:28 PM | Link to this

Bold: This makes no sense. This is not a temporary problem. Serves them right for sending us back to school in the middle of a hot summer!!

By Karen Armsby

September 23, 2005 04:28 PM | Link to this

So, I guess that means that the parents of elementary school children have to take leave and stay home with their kids for those two days?

By Karl

September 23, 2005 04:30 PM | Link to this

I agree…..That is the most STUPIDEST thing I’ve ever heard! What about the parents that have to SPEND Money to find somewhere for our kids to GO!

By Ernest

September 23, 2005 04:30 PM | Link to this

Calling Post should probably make a lot of money off of this. Patti, do you have the full text of the press release? What I am seeing ‘suggests’ the governor is ‘asking’ school systems close not mandating. I guess this is an attempt to ultimately make it a local decision.

By JDH

September 23, 2005 04:34 PM | Link to this

The governor wonders what’s wrong with our educational system and why our kids don’t excel. Maybe its becuase our estemed Governor gives kids the message that education is the least important function of governement. Try closing all other gov’t. offices before closing schools. Prioritize education, its more imortant than the prioce of gas!

By Beth

September 23, 2005 04:40 PM | Link to this

Thanks Sonny for creating a panic in our state.

By cj

September 23, 2005 04:44 PM | Link to this

I guess businesses will have to close next in order for the parents of the kids who are normally in school, to stay at home and watch their kids. Otherwise, every business in Ga. is going to have a ‘bring your kids to work’ day on Mon./Tues.

By Duuuuh

September 23, 2005 04:47 PM | Link to this

Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!

By Justice

September 23, 2005 04:48 PM | Link to this

UNBELIEVABLE… I agree w/ the above comment for 4 day work weeks. that makes plenty of sense. i mean, i’m sure the buses eat up a lot of gas, but they can’t compare to the congestion caused by the hustle and bustle of single and married working parents in gridlock on 285, 400, 75, or 85 (don’t see too many buses there ya know?!) can i get an amen and can somebody give Perdue an elementary-aged foster child so he can feel this?!!

By jd

September 23, 2005 04:49 PM | Link to this

Amen, JDH!!!

By Patti Ghezzi

September 23, 2005 04:50 PM | Link to this

Yes, Ernest, it’s just a “request.” But major school districts jumped on board, so I assume others will follow as well as private schools, though I can’t be sure about that at this time.

I haven’t seen a DeKalb press release. I spoke to spokesman Randy Lee, former Lakeside High principal.

Here is Fulton’s release: All schools within the Fulton County School System will be closed Monday, September 26, and Tuesday, September 27, in response to Governor Perdue’s request to voluntarily close schools to conserve natural resources. Staff should not report unless specifically requested by their supervisors.

All before/after-school activities are cancelled for those days. Special activities, testing, and athletic practices and events will be rescheduled.

Classes will resume as scheduled on Wednesday, September 28.

By shae

September 23, 2005 04:53 PM | Link to this

This is so stupid I work a temp job since those are the only ones you can find these days, but now I have to take 2 days off without pay I save on gas but some good that will do sitting in a house with no lights.THANKS ALOT

By Marcia

September 23, 2005 04:54 PM | Link to this

This could have been a potential disaster in my household! Thank goodness, my daughter’s pre-k will remain open although they normally follow the county schedule. My 10 yr old will be hanging out with me at Kennesaw State all day on Tuesday.

I agree that the announcement was made pretty late. I actually saw it on the board at my son’s school at 4:15. It wasn’t there at 3:00 when I dropped my daughter off at gymnastics.

By Linda

September 23, 2005 04:59 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe this!! I’d rather PAY THE GAS PRICES!! Georgia cannot afford to have one child OUT OF SCHOOL … ANY DAY!! DIDN’T GEORGIA’S CHILDREN JUST RATE 2ND TO LAST on the National Test Results? How are parents supposed to arrange for care at a moment’s notice? I’ll have my children at your door step on Monday and Tuesday!!! Thank you!!

By DEE WEAVER

September 23, 2005 05:04 PM | Link to this

THIS IS RIDICULOUS*I CANT STAY HOME FOR 2 DAYS FROM WORKMR PERDUE THESE CHILDREN NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL *THE CHILDREN ALREADY CAN DROP OUT AT THE AGE OF 16, SO NOW THAT THERE IS A CRISIS LETS STOP THE CHILDREN FROM GETTING AN EDUCATIONWHY NOT LET ALL THE BOSSES IN AMERICA TELL THERE EMPLOYEES NOT TO COME IN AND THAT THEY WILL PAY US FOR THE 2 DAYS OFFLET THE KIDS GO TO SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!THAT REALLY WILL SAVE ON GAS BECAUSE NO CARS WILL BE ON THE ROAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Lynn

September 26, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this

This last minute announcement to close schools for fuel shortage is ridiculous. We have to work under such a stringent schedules and unreasonable restrictions ordained by everyone but those who know anything about education, is it a wonder? But what difference does it make to us teachers? We are only puppets of the NCLB, GPS, and the other politicians who continue to pull our strings. Starting school in the middle of the summer and having football start in unbearable heat makes just as much sense as cancelling school at the last minute because of something that might happen but will make a great sound byte on the 6:00 o’clock news. Who cares if childcare goes to the netherworld in a handbasket because of this hasty decision and parents must miss work, or children are left with inadequate keepers, or students are left without any proper supervision at all? We are putting our students in jeopardy in all disciplines at the behest of people who know nothing of what really goes on in our schools. I don’t lose any sleep at night over this because I know none of the powers that be are listening or even really care. I do lose plenty of sleep at night trying to figure out just how I can be the kind of teacher I know my students need and still jump through all of the impossible hoops set up by those bureaucrats who set the rules for education like an imaginary game to be played only in the mind.

By Mellllll2

September 26, 2005 08:49 AM | Link to this

What will happen if gas keeps getting higher and higher? Will we cut school out of the budget? Maybe we’ll end up #50 if he keeps up with these kinds of solutions.

A better way to conserve on gas would be for the governor not to use the state’s aircraft for hunting trips. What a novel idea!

By CD

September 26, 2005 08:53 AM | Link to this

Why are the private schools closed? Seeing that most private schools do not have school buses so what diesel fuel are they saving. I still had to drive to work which is past my son school and what about people who did not have any options as far as babysitters. Please think before you decide to schools again.

By jane

September 26, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

In Dade Co., we found out before school was out and also had the announcement added to scrolling bank signs. That’s more notice than we get for bad weather closings. We had the weekend to make childcare arrangements as opposed to waking up in the morning with snow on the ground or flooded streets. I may not agree with everything the Gov. says and does, but he is the one in authority. Listening to the comments from some of you parents makes it clear why children are so disrespectful these days!

By b

September 26, 2005 09:51 AM | Link to this

Yeah, This is a great idea. I want my child to feel responsible for our energy crisis. I think we should drill in Alaska. WOW no hurricanes. The tree huggers might get mad but who cares…if they have an issue tell them to walk everywhere and turn off their lights and gas in thier houses.

By Ginger

September 26, 2005 10:03 AM | Link to this

Ok, lets tick off lots of folks here. 1. They are your children and YOU should have to take responsibility for them, regardless of school closures etc. 2. a 4 day, or even a 3 day work week for schools, (try to get the bosses to temporarily align times ) with a longer day would make HUGE amounts of sense and cents. 3. As bad as the schools are, do you really think 2 days is going to make or break the system? However, the 2 days might just help give them a chance to breathe and be kids. 4. You whine that the taxes are too high and the gov’t doesn’t tighten its belt, and then when they do tighten the belt rather than ask you to pay more taxes, you whine some more. Grow UP. This “you can’t offend me or inconvience me nonsense” that so many spout is hogwash. Life happens, and the kids will miss days of school

NOT ALL LEARNING COMES FROM A BOOK Think about it. What are you teaching your kids by griping that they are out of school and it may cost you money. I’ll tell you. They are learning that they are an inconveinence to their parents work schedule, that work is more important, That you can’t adapt to change that happens unexpectedly, and that you are unprepared for life to happen.

This is a very important lesson for children to learn. Its called rolling with the tide, because somethings sometimes are beyond your control. God is not going to put anything on you that you and HE can’t handle if you will just pay attention.

My girls were homeschooled until last year when I HAD to go to work, and we moved. They lost nearly every vestige of what they considered normal in the space of just a few months. They adapted. Why, because Mama and Daddy adapted and said that things would get better and showed them how. Are things great? No, my girls have picked up on these attitudes that I despise, but I am working on that, but they are learning valuable lessons.

Quit fussing, enjoy your kids, and pay attention to what is really going on.

By RC

September 26, 2005 10:21 AM | Link to this

Well, another week lost on the ol’ “learn o’meter”. Let’s see, in Cobb we started school in the middle of the week. Four weeks later was Labor Day.Two weeks were taken up with CogAt and ITBS testing. Two weeks later we had an early release day. Now, two days off. Week after next we have another early release day. Then the next week is a teacher work day and the end of the grading period. The next week is parent/teacher conferences with early release every day for a week. Folks may think that loosing a couple hours every so often is no big deal, but there has been no continuity since the start of school. One of the things schools can give children that many get no place else is consistency and structure. Research shows that you have to repeat something forty times for it to become a habit. We haven’t had forty uninterupted days to build good work habits, classroom routines, consistent behavior expectations. Don’t even mention the academic time lost. Come this spring, when test scores are posted, it will be teachers blamed for the poor scores; not the constant disruptions that prevented or stole learning time.

By Craig

September 26, 2005 10:22 AM | Link to this

I find it interesting that we are willing to sacrifice our children’s education so that we can continue to drive above the speed limit. If everyone drove the speed limit, we would not have a fuel gap.

By Jim

September 26, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this

Gas in no problem in Troup County. But, if LaGrange or Troup haappens to get in the football playoffs and go to the Georgia Dome, that is when the schools will close, leaving paretns in a huff trying to find child care. A couple of hundred will attend while 10,000 will have to make up the day later.

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this

This is just typical. We live in such a self-centered culture. We have an opportunity to help with the energy crisis and we complain. We all have cushy houses, with our nice cars, good jobs and comfortable lifestyle. PEOPLE HAVE NO PLACE TO LIVE IN NEW ORLEANS, SOME PLACES IN MISSISSIPPI AND TEXAS. What do you have to complain about?!!! So sad that we have to either stay at home, have a neighbor or friend watch our kid or leave our child at home for a couple of days. QUIT COMPLAINING! This is not a huge deal in the big spectrum of life. QUIT being overly dramatic. THIS IS NOT A REAL PROBLEM! Set an example for your children and teach them that we all have to contribute when we face a national crisis. Show some respect for authority and maybe your children will learn to do the same.

By HStchr

September 26, 2005 10:39 AM | Link to this

Okay, mom and dad, when did school become a babysitting service? It sounds like the only value schools have is to provide for the kids while you go out and pursue careers. Sure, it’s inconvenient, but wouldn’t it be worse if school systems ran out of gas (which still is in short supply in some areas) and had to close without notice? What about snow days? What about bad weather days? Were those so cursedly inconvenient? As parents, we deal with those things and get on as best we can. If nothing else, you have some time home with your kids to enjoy them. Instead, we’d rather gripe and point fingers. At least it’s not the teachers’ fault this time!!!

By Dick

September 26, 2005 11:08 AM | Link to this

Man, am I lucky. My wife is a school teacher (7th grade) and she will be in a great mood today and tomorrow for a change. she has not had to put up with the spoiled kids and parents in our society of today for two days in a row. Thanks Gov Purdue for the early Christmas gift.

By Heywood

September 26, 2005 11:09 AM | Link to this

Maybe someone needs to remind “Uncle Sonny” that most of us work for a living and that most of us with school aged children either have to take a vacation day or an unpaid day of leave to stay with our children. Not that I’m complaining about staying home with my children but some employers are not that understanding and require more notice than the morning of, since the announcement came late on Friday. There will be some who lose their job over this nonsense or even worse, leave their children at home unattended. Maybe your heart was in the right place but it was not such a good idea there Uncle Sonny. I hope you give more thought before making the really important decisions.

By elemAP

September 26, 2005 11:15 AM | Link to this

I am in total agreement with those of you who feel that parents treat school as a babysitting service and when inconvienced, make their children feel insignificant. I work in an elementary school and we were delighted with the idea of a four day weekend. Having been at work since the middle of July, I was thrilled to have some extra time to spend with my kindergarten student and 18 month old. We are using the day to get things done around the house and enrichment activities. I truly feel sorry for those children who are at home listening to their whining parents who aren’t using this precious time to their advantage.

By Break

September 26, 2005 11:54 AM | Link to this

Okay.. so are the schools for learning or are they cheap daycare? Which one is it? Don’t parents normally have to take a day off when there are school snow days?

By parent

September 26, 2005 12:11 PM | Link to this

If our Governor really cared about educations, and saving gas, then maybe he would have cancelled all extra curricular activites including that southern staple, must have Friday night football. Sure people would have been upset, but it would not have been as disruptive to the learning process.

What we have, is a Governor who values fluff over content with respect to education. Just look at his record, removal of foreign language from elementary schools, decrease in the number of para professionals, trying to cut the HOPE Scholarship, just to name a few, and now in order to save gas, let’s close schools for a few days, but let’s not disrupt the other state government functions (except for the request for telework and 4 day work week) - might inconvience those who are more able to voice thier displeasure. Gotta love the logic here. Education and children are just not his top priority.

When are we as parents going to get that?

By Mellllll2

September 26, 2005 12:19 PM | Link to this

Hi Dick Don’t get us started on the lousy teachers out there (like your wife). Wow! does she need an attitude adjustment!

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 12:30 PM | Link to this

Nice comments, By Parent. I have to disagree with you. Canceling the football games for the weekend would not even make a dent in the fuel problem. Do you realize that there are only high school students who travel by bus to away games? How much of a difference would that make????Your point is…. still waiting to hear it. It is really nice to sit in the seat of judgement of our officials when we do not have all of the numbers. Do you really think our governor is out to get Georgia students? Give me a break! Give us some hard numbers and statistics rather than some naive “blanket” statements. So you think you can run this state rather than Perdue??? Go ahead and run for office, become apart of a political action group or volunteer your time. QUIT COMPLAINING! HELLO, IN CASE YOU DID NOT READ THE HEADLINES WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A NATIONAL CRISIS! Please be a good citizen and try to help matters rather than look out for your own best interest. Do not make this a political issue.

By Marcia

September 26, 2005 12:34 PM | Link to this

I am a teacher and know that the days will be made up. Parents will complain then about how the days interfer with vacation plans.

What are you doing today to save fuel and also to further your child’s education? Too many students will just sleep, eat, and watch TV all day. No wonder they do poorly in school.

By Charlie Rettiger

September 26, 2005 12:57 PM | Link to this

Those who are saying “quit complaining, this isn’t a big deal”, “is school supposed to be a babysitting service”, etc., fail to see the difference between these days off and snow days. Snow days are a natural phenomenon, and unstoppable. These two days off are a cheap publicity stunt by a short-sighted vote-grubbing good ole boy politician. Somebody convince me that 1.) we were in any serious danger of running out of diesel fuel, and 2.) even if we were (I’d be very surprised), would stopping the buses from running make enough impact to stop a crisis? Finally, 3.) Sonny really had a serious meeting about a serious crisis and came up with a well-thought out, necessary solution. Remember, Sonny also told us “don’t panic and go fill up with gas” a few weeks ago, and that worked out great, didn’t it?

By Nikole

September 26, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this

Ginger’s comment was right on target. I think that parents should unite and start to pressure our government to mandate a certain number of paid days off so that they can participate in their child’s education anyway. Many schools require volunteer hours from parents and all schools should. At the same time, parents have to provide for their kids, and they should not be penalized for taking an active role in their child’s education.

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 01:30 PM | Link to this

Charlie in case you have not watched the news we had 2 major natural disasters within a month of each other. Yes I think this qualifies as a natural phenomenon. To think that storms with the magnitude of Katrina and Rita (especially when they closed down the oil refineries) would not affect our oil supply is very naive. Would a couple of snow flurries in the sky (which is usually when they call off school) make you feel better? Mr. Rettiger would you rather our state to be reactive or proactive??? Proactive leadership is what the country demanded after Katrina…so you fault Perdue for participating in that style of leadership??? What is it that you are really wanting Charlie? Is this just your political agenda or do you really care about the students? Are you really in the place to be judging Governor Perdue’s character and motivation? Thank you for sharing your short sighted, uninformed, pessimistic views.

By Dick

September 26, 2005 01:37 PM | Link to this

Hey Mellll2; As to wife being lousy, I beg to pardon. If she is not a dedicated teacher then why is it she is in her classroom at 7;15 each morning, working until 6 to 7:30 each night, often times helping students with tutoring (at no additional cost to parents I might add). I guess if you label a teacher who does not give in to the coaches, their players and the players parents needing passing grades in order to play, then yes she is lousy. I cannot count the number of times she has been asked (and also threaten) to pass a student so they could play sports. I see three things the children, and a lot of the parents missed today and will miss tomorrow. Two free meals and baby sitting services. As to her attitude problem, I am the one with the problem. I am sick and tired of some of our $$$ being spent on class room supplies. They are told first of the year not to requestion any supplies if they need them, they should purchase them or have some business sponsor their classes. I wish there was a way we could have all parents monitor their children in a class room for two hours a week for a month. Monitor them in a way they didnot know you were doing so. I bet you many parents would be able to see their children are not perfect. It is funny many parents can’t make a PTA meeting, but don’t get in their way when it comes football or basketball time, they will run over you to get to the event. Many of the children today are a reflection of their parents, attitude, mentality and all. Not only do I say God Bless the USA, but God Bless those in education as well.

By Janet

September 26, 2005 01:38 PM | Link to this

Aren’t we lucky that we are not waking up in Mississippi, Louisiana, or Texas this morning. In these states there are many places that have no schools at all. In Georgia, God willing, we know that on Wednesday, we will be back in school.

By Pat Farley

September 26, 2005 01:48 PM | Link to this

Gov. Purdue finally does something worthwhile, and all anyone can do is whine about it.

And, yes, I have kids. I made arrangements for them. Schools are not gov’t run day-care programs. Parents are responsible for taking care of their children.

This was a decision made during a time of crisis. God forbid everyday people should have to make sacrifices.

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 01:56 PM | Link to this

Thank you Pat and Ginger!

By Parent

September 26, 2005 02:13 PM | Link to this

No matter what your political persuassion, this is a bad idea. Schools should not have been shut. And, yes, it was a voluntary move on the part of the school systems, but when the Governor calls and tells you that he wants schools closed, you have to play along. Remember, schools need money from the state and by not getting onto the bandwagon could have some negative implications down the road. Now, the bigger concern for me is the precedent that the Gov has now set. Obviously, prices are going to continue to rise - heating fuel in particular. What are we going to do when we have a shortage of heating fuel? Are we going to shut schools again? This precedent only says a couple of things: EDUCATION IS NOT IMPORTANT TO THIS ADMINISTRATION AND IT IS GOOD FOR POLITICAL POINTS IN THE UPCOMING GOVERNOR’S RACE BECAUSE I AM SHOWING LEADERSHIP! This is truly the most boneheaded move this governor has ever perpetrated. Maybe he should give up the helicopter lessons and allow local school systems to do their jobs and run our schools without further intervention.

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 02:14 PM | Link to this

Nikole, I don’t think it is the governments responsible for giving us days off so we can be involved with our child’s education. I think that is why employers give you vacation and personal days.

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 02:29 PM | Link to this

What precedent did this governor set? There is a potential problem,in the face of an issue, be proactive??? I am not ashamed of him for setting that precedent. Isn’t that what Oprah, Dr. Phil, CNN and all the other news media representing America wanted in the wake of Katrina? Would you rather have him sit on his hands and allow for this problem to balloon? Snow days are built into the school schedule. Perdue took these days as snow days. So where is the problem with our children’s education??? If we have actual snow days this year that they need to take off from school, they will do what they did in the past- push back the last day of school. Is that really sacrificing their education???? Again are you making a political mountain out of a mole hill? If so, HERE IS NEWS FOR YOU….HELLO IT IS A MOLE HILL. EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK. Little Johnny and Suzy are going to be educated…so take a big sigh of relief.

By Single Mommy of 1

September 26, 2005 02:40 PM | Link to this

A better idea would have been to keep schools in session and just not run the busses. I know that it is much easier to drive my child to work and pick her up than it is to find daycare after 5:00pm on a Friday for Monday and Tuesday. For those who don’t know: 1. If the weather forces a school to close, it forces businesses to close. Childcare is not necessary. 2. When schools are out for various SCHEDULED reasons, the YMCA and other daycares allow parents to sign up weeks in advance to arrange childcare. 3. Taking 2 days off from work is a major hardship for many parents - especially single parents. Everyone cannot take their kids to work.

To the poster who said they are your kids, take responsibility for them I’d like to point out that I do take responsibility for my child. I make sure that I arrange daycare for days when she is out of school at least a week in advance. If I cannot arrange daycare then I arrange to take off work and use a vacation day. I cannot take vacation with zero day’s notice as was the case in this instance. Many people do not have sick days at their disposal to take for this sort of instance, either. The governor could have acheived the same results by either: 1. Closing schools on Thurs and Friday and giving parents a week’s notice’ 2. Requesting that schools not run the busses for a few days - also would have been nice to have notice.

I wonder how many people will suffer untold financial hardship due to this move by our governor?

By Parent

September 26, 2005 02:44 PM | Link to this

Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? I think not! The point is that education should be the priority. this administration has now shown totally that education is not the priority. Take any and all other steps before ever shortchanging our kids. First, upon taking office, class size reductions were postponed; funding for education was then cut back; PeachCare For Kids funding;now closing schools. there is even a push to replace property taxes with sales taxes (albeit not from the Gov but from his cronies). Everyone on this board constantly talks about Ga being so dismal in national and international rankings (even though we are not camparing like data). When there are emergencies, our children should never be deemed as the least important among us and then used as the sacraficial lambs as in this scenario. Other measures should have been exhausted before any of the decisions I cited were made. Education is the only thing we can use to make our lives better. Thus, don’t shortchange it.

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 02:47 PM | Link to this

Again, 3 states face a natural disaster that destroys their homes, schools, jobs, life etc. We have kids take 2 days off from school and we are facing hardship???? Cry me a river! Let’s keep things in perspective. So what if we ran low on a gas supply and the governor does not do anything. What type of effect would that have on our economy? Eventually no one can go to school or work. I think we are in a little better position than that!

By ntb

September 26, 2005 03:27 PM | Link to this

What is being basically ignored here? What will happen if we actually have “snow� days this year? This decision was made prematurely: Sonny could have (should have) waited until Sunday to determine whether Rita had made a significant impact on the oil distribution system. So many people are complaining about having to make arrangements for their children, but they likely would have made the same arrangements if there had been an oil crisis with more understanding that it was necessary because, like snow or ice days, an emergency would exist!

Also, only one person mentioned another major reason this was a BAD idea – these days will have to be made up. We have only one teacher workday off in Fulton County, and Thanksgiving is the only holiday left this semester, so the days off will have to be made up next semester. (This won’t help those students on block schedules at all for those classes – they and their teachers will just have to work extra to make up those two days). Don’t think that MLK Day will be a make-up day (although it means that students will have a holiday only one week after having 17 days off). That means that schools will most probably use the 4-day President’s Day holiday as make-up time, and there will be no break for students between MLK Day and the teacher workday on March 10th, and faculty and staff will have no time off from MLK Day to Spring Break in April. Let’s see how much everyone supports Sonny’s decision when that news comes down!

Again, if we have to take REAL “snow days,� when will the days be made up then? Maybe Spring Break? Or maybe they’ll extend the school year, which everyone will LOVE!

By Mellllll2

September 26, 2005 03:28 PM | Link to this

This isn’t a matter of day care for kids. What about high school kids trying to make their way to college. The odds are against them to begin with if they are educated by Georgia public school system. They don’t need to miss anymore days than necessary.

We still have 2-months of hurricane season ahead of us. What if it only gets worse? What if several more storms hit and gas goes up to $5.00 a gallon or more? Will Purdue close schools indefinitely? Certainly we can come up with a better plan than this?

By Concerned Teacher

September 26, 2005 04:04 PM | Link to this

Schools are not daycare service for YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!!!! Why are parents complaining about having to take of their own kids. Teachers are not responible for raising and taking care of your children. Grow up and be a parent and find your own daycare. After reading these comments no wonder so many students are disrespectful, it is clear that so many of you parents do not want to be bother with your own kids. No wonder the generation of today is so messed up. Look at the parents who are raising them. Don’t want to be bother with your kids, that’s a pity.

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 04:25 PM | Link to this

Bless your hearts! I really did not know the sacrifices that you all will have to make. AHHHHH, Give me a BREAK! How self-centered can we be?!!! A little inconvenience over a situation like this that our country INCLUDING GEORGIA is going through. Call someone from Mississippi who lost a home and explain to them your issues about vacation and block scheduling. Or how about a teacher from New Orleans who would love to be in the situation that we are in rather than having no job, no place to live and no way to provide for their children. I did not know that there were so many spoiled martyrs here in the state of Georgia. Guess what??? The school districts decided to cancel school Monday and Tuesday. Nothing is going to change. As you explain to your children, life is not fair. Grow up! Oh, and get over it!

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 04:31 PM | Link to this

By the way, if parents had to drive their kids to school for 2 days, they would be complaining anyway. Oh, and how are the kids expected to get home at 3:30 or 2:30. Are parents going to call them a taxi or take time out of work, go through carpool which will take hours without anyone using a schoolbus….hello, this would be a logistical nightmare. This is why I am glad that Sonny Perdue has his job and the parents do not!!!

By Courtney

September 26, 2005 04:56 PM | Link to this

Do you think contacting all of the school systems on Sunday would be an easy task for Governor Perdue then notifying all of the parents through the news? Would it really make that big of a difference? The way he did it left time for parents to call grandparents, talk to neighbors, contact church drop-in programs and contact bosses.

By Craig

September 27, 2005 08:28 AM | Link to this

Closing the schools for 2 days shows misplaced priorities. Pres. Bush complimented Perdue and encouraged government staff to conserve energy, and Perdue carpooled yesterday. Both are advocating energy conservation. Many of the comments made are failing to recognize that we are hurting our children’s education so that we adults/parents can continue to drive gas guzzling cars at high speed, with one passenger. It strikes me as selfish. We need to use public transportation, carpool, drive slower, incur some personal inconvenience to save energy (petrol, diesel, coal, etc) and not compromise on our children’s educational opportunities.

By kg

September 27, 2005 08:55 AM | Link to this

I do not understand Mr. Perdue thinking, or if he is thinking at all. Single and Married couples, had to make arrangment for their kids at the last moment which is hard to do and an inconvience to the caregivers, not to mention a hardship ones finances. I still do not understand how this was going to save on gas, and all it did was caused unnecessary panic. Our children should have been in school.

By U folks are STUPID !!

September 27, 2005 09:06 AM | Link to this

Hey PARENTS !! School is NOT to baby sit your kids. If they are such as pain in the a*. Maybe you should have thought about birth control and not had your kids.

By concerned citizen

September 27, 2005 10:38 AM | Link to this

I do not have children, so I cannot speak about whether this was too much of an inconvenience for parents, nor do I think that is the issue here. (But on a side note, since we have the worst test scores in the nation, I think kids should be in school more often, rather than off for silly reasons like this one.) I think it is misleading for our governor to say we’re going to conserve fuel with these snow days out of one side of his mouth and say to motorists to not panic or worry about gas shortages out of the other side of his mouth. Which is it Sonny? I applaud his notion of being proactive, but he needs to put out a consistent message. And find other ways to conserve fuel, rather than interrupt the education of children.

By SnottyNozeBrat

September 27, 2005 10:43 AM | Link to this

Could you please curtail your children while they are in their holidays?

They are stomping my roses.

Thank you

By Crystal

September 27, 2005 10:46 AM | Link to this

Pathetic. 2 days is nothing. The way people are reacting, you would thing they aren’t going to teach the information from Monday’s and Tuesday’s missed classes. So you couldn’t take your kids to the state funded day care. People treat their kids more like Pomeranians. Do you even know what your kids were studying Friday? I understand there are some parents who work for a living and can’t afford day care. Then odds are you know of a day care provided by the state for low wage families for in-service days. Quit making excuses to pawn your kids of on someone else.

By Daniel

September 27, 2005 10:51 AM | Link to this

You all people are idiots, my lord the governor lets the kids out for two days and you would think everybody would be happy that they get to spend a little time with their family. Obviously parents in Georgia don’t give a dang about there kids or remember when they was in school wishing they had a break. The mind needs to rest a little sometimes people and this is a great time for the kids mind to rest and get a little extra sleep. Maybe it was a bad decision maybe it wasn’t. Let the kids enjoy their time off it isn’t there fault. There happy about the decision we should be happy to.

By Tired of Politics

September 27, 2005 11:10 AM | Link to this

Well Melllllll2, looks like you stuck your foot in your mouth while speaking about Dick’s wife being a lousy teacher. My roommate is a middleschool teacher. The stories she comes home with about these belligerent, rude kids getting in her face when she gives them detention and saying “Go ahead, do it”. That’s called NO DISCIPLINE FROM PARENTS. I have more respect for teachers these days due to the lack of respect from the sweet little children these days. Yes, there are some good kids out there but geez! The kids who are so horrible are ruining the wonderful job of teaching children. I tell you what, respect is taught at home. Guess what? Home is where the parents are! Take the time to do your duty as a parent and teach your child to respect others and just be a good kid. When your kid looks good, it makes YOU look good. Needless to say, a lot of parents aren’t looking to good these days.

By luvs2teach

September 27, 2005 04:58 PM | Link to this

Seems to me we are comparing apples and oranges - diesel fuel and gas conservation.

The pipeline serving our area has been working at least 10% below normal since Hurricane Katrina. Although Rita was not as bad as anticipated, the refineries were shut down PRIOR to landfall, due to power grids being truned off as a safety measure. This further reduced the flow of petroleum into our state.

Diesel not only fuels the school buses, but also the bulk of the agricultural harvesting equipment. It’s harvest time - need for diesel is at a peak. I think that Governor Perdue was being proactive (and no, I didn’t vote for him), and that he probably has information that we don’t have. Since he gave the school systems the option, and the majority of them chose to go along with it, I’m guessing that a shortage was possible, if not probable.

As a teacher with my youngest in high school, this was not a hardship for me. I got caught up on my grading and planning. I also chose not to go anywhere. I stayed home, which I felt was the responsible thing to do. My son wasn’t allowed to take the car anywhere, either - he stayed in the neighborhood and hung out with his friends.

The problem with daycare reflects a larger problem in our society - disconnection. We are disconnected from our extended families and from our neighbors. I would’ve been happy watching a couple of the younger neighborhood kids - no one asked. I offered to watch my nephew but his mom goes to work in a different direction.

If this was a problem for you, then you need to figure out an emergency plan for yourself and your family - talk to family, friends, and neighbors, put aside some money, something, because chances are, this (or something like it) will happen again in the future.

Lessons learned from Katrina - plan for the worst; hope for the best!

By Bleah

September 28, 2005 12:01 PM | Link to this

The disrespectful kids are the same ones who can’t keep there mouth shut in a movie. Making phone calls and commentary while i paid $30 for a movie and popcorn. People who cut you off in traffic, same kids. This is all learned behavior, Treating people right and being curtious. Thanks parents who don’t have time for their kids. Thanks for not making them respectful of other people or even themselves for that matter.

By TruthHurts

September 29, 2005 12:37 PM | Link to this

The sad truth is that this will not save gas (or diesel). Unless those two days are waived, the fuel will be used when those days are made up. Not conserved, but used later.

Since it got Sonny on the national news and since he now can say he did something during the great hurricane energy crisis, I’m sure we will hear about it again — say, during his re-election bid.