Board Approves 2 Week Spring Break

By 250 News

The Board of Trustees for School District 57 has approved a new calendar for the 2006/07 school year but not before there was plenty of “spirited” debate.

The new school calendar will feature a two week spring break that would also encompass Easter.  So, schools will be closed April 2^nd through to the 13^th.  This new calendar also means the school year will be reduced by one day although the Superintendent says that “day” could be made up by adding two minutes to each day.  The new calendar will also put this District out of sync with most other Districts in the Province.

Trustees say they appreciate the public’s input on the issue.  Trustee Lois Boone says she compiled all the e-mails and phone calls and came up with numbers that seem to support the Easter two week break.  Trustee Warrington says the input she received indicated those in favour of the standard calendar did so because they were concerned about the long stretch between January and April as well as being concerned a two week break is too long.

Trustee Lyn Hall says although the initial reason for a two week break was a cost saving measure, he says it has developed into a positive for teachers to “rejuvenate”. 

Trustee Ricard says it isn’t about numbers but it is about “providing the best educational environment for those children.” “I still contend it is very difficult to get back into a schedule after a two week break” She also pointed out that with many other Districts on the standard calendar, events are planned to take place during that time, events like sport tournaments. Ricard says families will be forced to pull their kids out of class in order to take part in those events. “We need more days in the classroom not two minutes added to each day.”

Trustee Michelle Marelli spoke in favour of the two week break saying the real benefits of this calendar are the two days the staff spend at school before the school year begins.  She says what she has heard is that not only was the two weeks a time for the teachers to rejuvenate, but students wanted to be back and were ready to learn. 

Trustee Manning says “I am here because I think our system is in crisis, and staff have indicated to me that they would like a two week break.  I am not going to support the argument that parents can’t find childcare for two weeks. Our education system is not a childcare system, it is not there to keep our kids off the streets, it is there to educate and we need to remind ourselves of that.”

Chairman Bill Christie says there is evidence to support the benefits of a two week break.  According to Christie, following two weeks off, attendance among students was up, and sick leave among staff was down. He suggests the Board talk to the Province about standardizing spring break by always linking the week off with the four days at Easter.

Even before the vote was called, Trustee Ricard  said “Well I can count to seven and I know where this is going, but I  must still say  I cannot see any educational benefit in  going with a two week  break.”

In favour of two week break including Easter:  Chairman Bill Christie, Trustees Boone, Hall, Manning and Marrelli

Those against:  Trustees Ricard, Warrington

Trustee Marelli ended the discussion with saying  while she recognizes there has been  “spirited” conversation, she would like to remind all of her colleagues respect is necessary for a positive working Board.  She reminded her colleagues that input came from all of the partners in education and there were sound educational grounds for looking at a two week break.

Trustee Marelli put forth a motion calling for an ad hoc committee made up of all partner groups to be struck.  The committee would look at all the research to see what kind of calendar truly benefits students.  That information should include looking at the two months off over summer, and the length of a school day.   She would like the committee to take a look at what is in the best interests of the students of School District 57.  That motion received unanimous approval.

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