"Community Days" at schools. Anybody any thoughts on these ?

[SCOUT909]

My Son who is 13 has come home with a letter last night from school saying on Friday they are having a "Community Day" which is a non-lesson day. He has to meet at school at 12 noon and the school will take pupils to a local open space/park/lakes and they are going to "clear up other peoples rubbish - to help the community".... he has been told to wear old clothes, this will last for 2 hours and then they can go home for the rest of the day. If they dont attend they will get a 5 hour detention spaced over next week. I cannot actually believe it. So he misses school lessons for a whole day to go and clear up other peoples rubbish? Am I missing the point here, anybody else think this is bang out of order?

[albaqwerty]

Child labour springs to mind. Did his primary school send the 5 year olds up chimneys?

Yes, bang out of order.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Actually I don't think this is out of order. The children get to see the consequences of dropping litter and damaging the environment, and everyone else gets to see the good side of the kids. It's win/win for me.

[ummmm]

No, not at all. It might teach them a valuable lesson. KEEP BRITAIN TIDY!!

When they see the amount of crap that people discard without a second thought will they be so complacent about it in the future?

On Friday, hopefully, we'll have an extra 30 odd people that will use litter bins.

[EvianBaby]

I don't think it's bang out of order.

I think it's a lesson in taking pride in your surroundings. To be honest, it's probably the kids in the area that are dropping all the litter anyway.

[EcclesCake]

I think I'd prefer a normal school morning, maybe focusing on community matters and then going off for the litter pick in the afternoon. As a reward they finish a bit earlier.

[rockyracoon]

I'm a bit of a fence sitter with this one, agreeing with both sides, if my child was struggling at school I'd probably be hacked off, what does your son think?

[SCOUT909]

What and exposing teenagers to druggies needles as well Mojo and goodness only knows what else? I cant believe they are letting pupils miss a whole day of imperative lessons at this age. Lots of Parents are not letting their kids do it including ME !

[EvianBaby]

So what do they do on the day if they don't attend?

[ummmm]

I'm sure he'll thank you for getting him 5 hours detention.

[rockyracoon]

Eccles, that's probably the most sensibe way to hande it.

[albaqwerty]

It's the threat of the detention which is irking me.

[ummmm]

It's because kids will wag it.

[SCOUT909]

Just rang the school and asked if he can actually just go in all day for usual lessons they said NO ! I have asked if he can be put on another task on Friday instead and they have offered him helping pack bags at the local Tescos - absolutely fine, still dont like the fact they are missing lessons though

[EvianBaby]

It's only one day and it's not like they are asking them to sit on their arse playing computer games. I think this sort of thing is important for kids. I assume you don't make him sit with a private tutor every half term or summer holiday.

[ummmm]

It's only a month until the end of year. They probably haven't got a months worth of the curriculum left.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

They are exposed to druggies needles every time they go out to play if that's how you're thinking. It's not a bad thing for kids to be part of the community, get a work ethic and take pride in what they've done in my opinion.

[bednobs]

so packing tesco bags is ok to miss lessons for, but not picking up rubbish?

[ummmm]

There does appear to be a bit of snobbery.

[Dee Sa]

I think its a grand idea and it will teach them a lesson about not dropping litter, make them concious about keeping their town tidy for many years to come plus community spirit etc and woe betide you if you drop any litter in future.

[vulcan]

Missing one days lessons is nothing compared with the possible learning a lesson on anti litter which could last a lifetime. Don't agree with the detention though.