To the Editor:

Why do elementary school students get out before middle school students? It really should be high school, middle school. And then elementary school.

Just in case a family member can't be home that day to meet the elementary kids off the bus and  there is no high schooler to greet them, then you need a middle schooler there but that can't happen when middle schoolers get home after elementary students.

.I have personal experience with this. My grandma was in the hospital and my great-grandma who is 95 had to greet my little cousin off the bus and watch her for two hours! I should be the one getting her off the bus in the cold, not a 95-year-old!

I found out that, back when my 31-year-old mom was in school, high school got out first, then middle school, and then the  elementary schoolers got out.. She could watch her little sister and her big sister could watch her. It made perfect sense.

Now, the elementary students go to school at 7:50 a.m. and leave at  2:05  p.m. Back then, the elementary schoolers went to school at 8:35 a.m. and left at  3:20 p.m.

I have read some articles on people trying earlier school times. And it said that the school times are ending in the wrong order!

Parents have faith that the older kids will watch their younger siblings. But they can't do that if they’re at school.

Middle schoolers should go to school after the high schoolers. Middle schoolers have the same right as high schoolers to watch their younger siblings.

I read another article by Marie Anderson called “What is the advantage of having school start early?’” Some facts are that earlier school times could be better for parents. Also kids who start school earlier can save money, work, or go to after-school activities and still be back by dinner.”

But then again it “works” better for parents, and they have after-school programs to care for kids. .But some parents can’t afford that and don't have a high schooler to watch the younger ones.
In conclusion, we need school times to change and it would save us money not to pay for after-school care for kids.. And that's why middle schoolers need to be home.

Makiya Donnelly

Farnsworth Middle School