School Days

I have never had the privilege of sitting on the calendar committee for the schools. But I am sitting here reviewing next year’s calendar, and I have a pretty strong opinion about this one. This is WRONG; it is not good practice. It does not facilitate learning.
The first day back for teachers is Aug. 10, for students Aug. 15. The first 3 day weekend is Labor Day, Sept. 5. On Oct. 3 the first teacher in-service gives the students a 3 day weekend. Fall Holiday (just what is Fall Holiday?) is Oct. 28, another 3 day weekend. The second in-service is two weeks later on Nov. 14. We have a 4 day teaching week, and then a 2 day week with Thanksgiving Holiday from Nov. 23 – 25. Semester tests are scheduled for Dec. 15 and 16, early out on both days.


We come back to school on Jan. 3 after a total vacation of 17 days. And then we have another 3 day weekend for Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 16. We get a 3 day weekend Feb. 20 for President’s Day. And then my personal pet peeve, Spring Break is March 27 – 31. That is followed by Easter Vacation April 14 – 17, which is a Friday and a Monday, creating two 4 day weeks. This is actually three 4 day weeks in a row because the next Monday is an in-service, April 24. We get another 3 day weekend for Sports Day, May12. Graduation is May 19, and Semester Tests are May 24 and 25, early out both days.
This is just my personal opinion, but there are way too many short weeks. Ask any teacher how much teaching is accomplished on a 2 day week, or how students react when you have three 4 day weeks in a row. Spring Break was at one time for college students only. Junior high students come back from Spring Break thinking school is over. All of these little vacations create a break in the learning routine that is important to keep students on task. And then there is the issue of the expense of air-conditioning classrooms in southeastern NM. I do not know the cost per day, but we have been starting earlier every year, and it has to affect the budget.
Again, this is just the personal opinion of the writer, and does not reflect on anything except the school calendar. We have an excellent school system here in Carlsbad. Almost every teacher I know is doing their best to make our schools safe, friendly, positive learning environments. I am only voicing my opinion so that next year’s calendar committee might take some of these conderns into consideration. And because I can. God Bless America.