In response to Bradley Wilson's opinion piece "Why is busy work considered useful?":

For years, I have suggested going to 50 minute periods (except for lunch) and then adding those minutes to first and seventh hour for announcements.  I do also agree that unless it is a very important announcement (i.e.  today's meet is cancelled due to inclement weather), we should not to repeat announcements - although the argument then is seniors who don't have a first hour don't hear them, same with if they don't have a seventh hour.

Lastly, in Brad's three semesters at RB, maybe he has had several teachers who do not teach the full period (I know I am often criticized for teaching 51 minutes and not giving kids time to chat).  That time off-task does add up quickly.

However, homeschooling does not provide many of the classroom experiences both from different teachers and students, and all the extracurriculars.


Dave Monti