Superintendent’s Message

Who’s Got Time For That?

Yes, our boomer generation says absolutely! These watches are absolutely critical for teaching kids to tell time. It is an intelligent workout to use 12 different symbols on three parallel planes - seconds, minutes and hours. Analog clocks assist with math proficiency as students must be able to add and subtract minutes as they figure out the time. Another advantage of analog watches is that they greatly strengthen our fraction skills. Does “quarterpast” mean 15 minutes after the hour or 25 minutes after the hour? Furthermore, an analogue watch can help with time management skills. When Dad tells you that you can stay up for 22 minutes, you watch your clock to ensure you comply with Dad, or else. Some of us even use those minute or second hands to help pass the time. 40 something years later, I can still remember counting how many seconds were left in high school Chemistry. I think seconds took a lot longer than they do now.

So that’s my spill for teaching students how to tell time. But, is it necessary? Granted, we can all agree with the skills gained by learning to tell time. Yet, what if I can learn those skills elsewhere. Or better yet, is it possible our technology today simply outdates the analog clock. If 95% of the world’s population has access to a smartphone, then they have access to the current time. Time management? Isn’t that why we have GPS? Sitting in my office without an analog watch on my arm and the wall clocked stopped because of a dead battery, I’m curious how my grandchildren will learn to tell time. I cannot fathom a world where we don’t teach students to tell time; however, our next generation continues to remind me that this is a different TIME!

 Dr. Richard Rosenberger

Mission & Vision