The Extended School Day

     Imagine a seven-year-old whose parents work until five each night. When she arrives home after school, she is on her own. Even though she's a good girl, a lot of things could happen. She could get into trouble just by being curious or something could happen through no fault of her own. All over the country, there are many "latchkey" children like this little girl. There must be some way to deal with the problem. One suggestion is to keep elementary schools open longer than they are now and there are many advantages to this idea.
     Parents wouldn't have to be in a state of uneasiness about whether their child is safe and happy at home, or are their child's needs being met, or feel guilty because they are not able to help a child with homework. The longer day would make it possible for the teacher to provide such help. Extended school hours would also relieve families of the financial burden of hiring a home sitter which can wipe out the family budget and the hassle of worrying whether the person will show up and be reliable.
     The longer school day would benefit children as well. They would be in school where they would have a chance to work on subjects that give them trouble. No student would have to struggle along because there wasn't enough time to give them the help they needed. The longer day would also give children a chance to participate in extracurricular activities. They could join a science club, play on a softball team, sing in a school chorus, or take an art class. Ultimately, the dangers of their being home alone after school would disappear by the time the school bus dropped them off, because at least one parent would be home. The unmentionable horrors feared by parents would not have a chance to happen.
     Finally, the longer school day would also benefit teachers. The longer workday would obviously require schools to increase teachers' pay and the added salary would be an incentive for teachers to stay after school.
     Implementing an extended school day would be expensive, but I feel that many communities would willingly finance its cost because it provides benefits to parents, children, and even teachers. Young children who are home alone, wondering whether to watch another TV or to wander outside, need this longer school day now.