Parents Cope With Half-Days at Plymouth-Canton Schools

kicked off the 2012-13 school year this week with three half-days, the third of which is today.

Some parents have expressed displeasure with the new format this week, which allows teachers time for professional development and eases students back into the school year. Others, meanwhile, are fond of the format.

Plymouth-Canton Patch polled readers on Facebook about how they're coping with the schedule and we received a variety of responses, both opposed to and in favor of the schedule this week.

"I think this schedule is ridiculous," Pam Doute said on Facebook.

Pamela Heestand had a different opinion on the schedule.

"It's helping my kids ease into their freshman year at the Park, but I'd still rather arrange things so we'd get out of school earlier in June," Heestand wrote on Facebook. "Double-edged sword for us."

Laurel Hess agreed that the move helped ease her kids back into school.

"I love it! Totally eases us into the transition," she wrote.

Half-days can present child care issues for working parents when students don't have a place to go when class lets out early.

Jessica Dorado, however, said she takes advantage of the Kids Time program at Plymouth-Canton schools, which offers child care services for a nominal daily fee. 

"Thank goodness for Kids Time!" she wrote. 

Classes Friday with the first full day of the year.

How have you coped with the half-days this week? Have you had to seek out child care services, or are you utilizing the school district's child care services?

Whether you love or hate the schedule this week, let us know in the comments.