Doug Mann wrote: I expect that between Oct 2002 and 2003 net enrollment declines were much greater than average where the bulk of students in a given grade level live 1 to 3 miles from school and don't have bus service. (I got blisters on my feet when I started walking 3 miles, one time per day as part of an exercise routine). That is way too far for most children to walk, especially in inclement weather, and for early elementary school students in any kind of weather.
Mark Anderson replies: First of all, Doug, elementary school students are not required to walk three miles; that's only for high school kids. In fact I thought the max for even them was 2 1/2 miles, but I could be wrong. As I recall, the rule for middle school kids is 1 1/2 miles, and for elementary kids some lesser distance that I can't remember. I think those distances are perfectly reasonable. Any healthy high school kid should be able to walk three miles, in all but the coldest or stormiest weather. If they aren't used to walking, they may get blisters at first. But if they walk every day, they'll recover. The kids in Minneapolis are spoiled by being driven everywhere, but this is not a good thing. My daughter whines when I pick her up from school two blocks from home because we have to walk home! She says other kids just as close are driven home. The sad thing is she's right! The school district's policy will hopefully enhance the health of kids and save on busing too. This is one thing the school district does right. Mark Anderson Bancroft REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
