Is a two-week spring break really necessary?
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KAMLOOPS — And in my humble opinion, the answer is unequivocally “no”. As much as I support teachers, and have agreed with their fight to regain the ability to negotiate class size and composition, and respect all they do, I cannot buy into their arguments regarding a two-week spring break.
Trustees of School District 73 voted last Monday to go back to a one-week break. They cited concerns from parents as part of the reason for the change. It was a narrow vote, suggesting trustees themselves weren’t sure if the two-week break were good or bad. And I confess I’m not 100 per cent sure either. But the teachers’ argument that the break was necessary as a respite for overcrowded classrooms just doesn’t fly. There are some overcrowded classrooms, I’m sure, and there needs to be more support for students who have challenges in the classroom, but to suggest that’s a reason for an extra-long break in the spring doesn’t hold water.
Those who dedicate their life to teaching are a special breed. I’ve said that before. But while they deal with special challenges, the overcrowding does not make their life so challenged they need an extra week off work. At least, that’s my opinion. When you take into account they’ve had a pretty good break at Christmas, then factor in the professional development days which take them out of the classroom, personal days, and the long break in the summer, there are, in my view, plenty of times during the year when teachers can regroup and get ready for the next round, if you like.
Please note that this is not a “bash teachers” article. I’m just not buying into their argument that they are so overworked and stressed out they need an extra week away from class. I also don’t buy into arguments floated by some trustees that a longer break was detrimental to learning for students. If that were the case, why would we take such a long break at Christmas, and why would we give them two and a half months in the summer? Nor do I find some parents’ concerns valid when it relates to finding money to pay for another week of child care expenses. That too is a faulty argument.
