Raptakis Says Oppressive Heat is Detriment to Education - Calls for School to Start After Labor Day
Raptakis Says Oppressive Heat is Detriment to Education - Calls for School to Start After Labor Day
“Frankly, our schools are not equipped to deal with the type of heat we are experiencing this week, which in turn, hurts our children’s education during these extremely uncomfortable times in the classroom," said Raptakis. (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich). "Typically, the temperatures are much more bearable during June as opposed to late August and that is one reason why our kids should only be going back to school after LaborDay. It is virtually impossible for our children to properly learn during these intense heat conditions."
The bill, which Raptakis has introduced for several years, would require public schools, including charter schools, to begin the school year on the day after Labor Day. Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September.
“We are always talking about consolidation of our school districts,” said Senator Raptakis. “There has also been discussion for a statewide teacher contract and having a uniform, statewide start time for the school calendar now would help with those efforts later. And if you’re a parent with young children, you’re going to know for the next 12 years when the opening of school will be and you can plan accordingly.”
Boost for Tourism Cited
“Tourism is big business in Rhode Island,” said Senator Raptakis. “It will certainly help businesses that rely heavily on summer revenue such as restaurants or summer rentals, and that also includes summer jobs for high school students that are cut short with August start dates. Extending that summer vacation can add revenue to the state. You take away a chunk of August and it can have some serious ramifications on the tourism industry in Rhode Island. Also, many people plan family time with their children in August. For some parents, it may be the only time they have to spend any extended quality time with their children. And that’s just as important for growth and development.”