Recharge, Refocus and Rejuvenate

It is with humility and respect that we come to you in regards to scheduling spring vacations. While keeping an open mind and carefully considering various options, we have collected our thoughts as a community. Below you will find various factors we have reflected upon while thinking about scheduling a school vacation.

1. Many students and staff are often sick during the month of February and March. As a result, there are both student and staff absences. The outcome for students is that they miss school, leading to missed lessons and reteaching by the teacher. Additionally, teachers require a substitute, which is often in high demand, but short supply.

2. Families are unable to schedule a common vacation, particularly if they are a parent that teaches in another school district. For example, a parent that is a Cranston teacher will have no common vacation days with their child(ren) that live in Bristol-Warren. Possible outcomes may include:

a. Parents that are teachers taking time off to be with their child(ren).

b. Parents that are teachers having to pay for childcare because they are unable to spend time at home with their child(ren).

c. Students being taken out of class (from one day to an entire week), to go on a vacation. Resulting in teachers having to reteach lessons.

d. Students being taken out of class during different weeks, again resulting in teachers reteaching lessons.

3. Both students and teachers are experiencing high levels of stress without a break in sight. Students and teachers feel rejuvenated when have ample breaks.

4. Teachers are experiencing more illnesses during the February and March months. In particular, when the schools have not been thoroughly cleaned during the heart of winter. This leads to teacher absences and the recurring theme of sub shortages.

5. Students and teachers are taking "mental health days" more frequently.

As mentioned above, these are some considerations that have been taken into account while looking objectively at spring vacations. It is our firm belief that February vacation be reinstated and April vacation remain in place.