MARBLEHEAD — Marblehead Public School students still need to make up nine more days due to the illegal teachers’ strike. And while the adults have voiced their opinions, what do the children think?
At the School Committee meeting last Thursday, board members voted on the remaining five days to be made up using three April break days and two days added onto the end of the year in June.
At the meeting, Board Member Allison Taylor discussed the results from the survey sent out to both families and staff. It was concluded that although the staff voted favorably for Saturdays, it would be the families’ top choice for April break and the end of June.
The students will now be in school with no break from January to June, and that has left some students frustrated.
One senior said, “I am annoyed that now our vacations are taken away and none of this is our fault.”
While some students supported the teachers during the strike, they now face consequences for a situation that was out of their control. Many families have to reschedule planned vacations or other activities they anticipated to do over the breaks.
Another student, a junior, said, “I think most students and families had trips planned during these breaks and have to rebook them because of the teacher’s strike.”
The School Committee also decided that there would be no punishment if students chose not to attend any of the makeup days. On those days, the teachers couldn’t give exams, quizzes, or any other graded assessment. Due to the no-punishment rule, students believe many of their peers simply won’t show up.
The junior class student said, “I think the attendance will be low and not a lot of kids will be there. Probably seven kids will be in each class, but it can range.”
The senior class student had a similar answer stating one teacher asked the students in their class who would be coming and only four of the students raised their hands.
The fallout of the strike has been somewhat positive with both sides coming to an agreement with which they can both be content. But some of the students are clear regarding their frustrations.
The senior class student concluded her statement by saying, “This is really annoying because this is their fault and they caused this to happen. They all knew what would happen.”
Both students stated they believe many of their peers feel the same way they do.
Students’ breaks will consist of three, three-day weekends and one, four-day weekend for the remainder of the year.
At the School Committee meeting, Co-Chair Sarah Fox argued for the attendance policy only for this year to be lifted or at least more lenient allowing students to take mental health days if needed considering their breaks are gone. The board was not in agreement, but Superintendent John Robidoux said he would speak with his team about how that would even be possible.
