Moscone Elementary Parents Demand Reconsideration of School Start Time Change
May 25, 2021 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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The San Francisco Board of Education held a meeting on May 25, 2021, addressing significant concerns regarding school start times and the return to in-person learning. The meeting featured public comments from parents, educators, and union representatives, highlighting the impact of proposed changes on families and staff.
The discussion began with parents expressing frustration over the lack of outreach and engagement in the decision-making process regarding school start times. One parent from Moscone Elementary voiced disappointment that the new start time of 8:40 AM would disrupt the schedules of working families, particularly those whose parents need to drop off children before heading to work. Another parent echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of prior care and the challenges posed by the new schedule, which conflicts with their child's therapy appointments.
Concerns were also raised about the potential for remote learning in the fall. A parent questioned whether the district would align with other major districts, such as New York and Los Angeles, in eliminating remote learning options for the general student population. The sentiment was clear: families wanted assurance that their children would not be expected to participate in remote learning, especially if it meant simply attending school to log in online.
Teachers also contributed to the discussion, highlighting the difficulties posed by the new start times on childcare arrangements and staff retention. One teacher noted that the changes could lead to staff shortages, as many educators rely on predictable schedules to manage their own family commitments.
In response to public comments, Susan Solomon, President of United Educators of San Francisco, assured attendees that the union is committed to negotiating a safe and effective reopening for the fall, with bargaining expected to commence the following week.
The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on the rationale behind the new start times and the importance of community involvement in future decisions. The Board acknowledged the concerns raised and committed to addressing them as they move forward with plans for the upcoming school year.
The discussion began with parents expressing frustration over the lack of outreach and engagement in the decision-making process regarding school start times. One parent from Moscone Elementary voiced disappointment that the new start time of 8:40 AM would disrupt the schedules of working families, particularly those whose parents need to drop off children before heading to work. Another parent echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of prior care and the challenges posed by the new schedule, which conflicts with their child's therapy appointments.
Concerns were also raised about the potential for remote learning in the fall. A parent questioned whether the district would align with other major districts, such as New York and Los Angeles, in eliminating remote learning options for the general student population. The sentiment was clear: families wanted assurance that their children would not be expected to participate in remote learning, especially if it meant simply attending school to log in online.
Teachers also contributed to the discussion, highlighting the difficulties posed by the new start times on childcare arrangements and staff retention. One teacher noted that the changes could lead to staff shortages, as many educators rely on predictable schedules to manage their own family commitments.
In response to public comments, Susan Solomon, President of United Educators of San Francisco, assured attendees that the union is committed to negotiating a safe and effective reopening for the fall, with bargaining expected to commence the following week.
The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on the rationale behind the new start times and the importance of community involvement in future decisions. The Board acknowledged the concerns raised and committed to addressing them as they move forward with plans for the upcoming school year.
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