Our Kids In School - Longer Days?

Is sending our children to school for longer days the answer to America competing with the rest of the world. 

I have volunteered in the public school system for several years.  The classrooms had 27-32 kids to one adult, and on occasion a parent volunteer would come in to help out.  Classrooms get out of control fast, no matter what grade it is.  Most elementary schools assign students to classroom, not by their academic work.  What I mean is, you can have students at all different levels in math, reading in one room.  If you don't have students not getting what your teaching, the others complain it's to easy and are bored. BEING HELD BACK!!  So much for the No Child Left Behind. 

I don't think sending our sons and daughters to school for longer days or more days will work.  I believe if we build more schools, hire more qualified teachers, get the class sizes down, and have two teachers in a classroom for math and reading/english will do more good.

What do you think?

Gifts for Teachers

Yes, another school year is coming to an end. Some of us like to give our teachers a small gift at the end of the year.

Here are some ideas:

A Candle
Handmade Card
Gift Certificate for Starbucks or other coffee shop
Baked item (cookies or brownies)
Handmade Picture
Plant
Flowers
Balloon

Whatever you get for your child's teacher. I'm sure they would love it, just because you thought of them.