Some schools are replacing summer vacation with shorter breaks throughout the year. Is this a good idea?
Sticky ice pops, sunny pool parties, gooey s’mores . . . summer vacation is almost here! But what if you didn’t have a long summer vacation?
That might sound crazy. However, about 3,000 schools in the U.S. have dropped their usual summer break. They have several short breaks throughout the year instead. (The total number of school days stays the same.)
You might be wondering: Why?
Enjoying Every Season
Peyton Salmons
People point out that more breaks mean more chances to rest and relax. School can be exhausting! Extra breaks also give kids more to look forward to.
Plus, year-round school would stop something called “summer slide.” That’s when kids forget part of what they learned the previous year. Mr. Close, a third-grade teacher in Pennsylvania, has seen this firsthand. “We have to spend almost the first month of school reviewing information from last year,” he says.
Peyton Salmons, a third-grader in West Virginia, adds that more breaks let kids enjoy the different seasons. “If we had multiple breaks, we could have a vacation in winter, spring, summer, and fall.” That means time off for baseball, apple picking, and skiing!
A Special Time
Markus Cullins
But not everyone believes year-round school is a good idea. Many people say summer vacation is a special time. It gives kids a chance to fully unwind and recharge. “A long break gives us time to rest so we have energy to work in school,” says Markus Cullins, a third-grader in Georgia.
Kids could also use this time to learn a new skill, like how to play guitar, or read a whole book series. Ms. Heinsman, a third-grade teacher in Colorado, adds that families often need one long break to plan trips together. “Children can have long visits with family members during summer break,” she says.
Best of all? Summer break lets kids take advantage of the warmest months of the year. That means more time for fun in the sun and activities like summer camp or zooming down a water slide!
Summer vacation is just around the corner. What do you think: Should we replace it with several shorter breaks throughout the year?
Should school be year-round?
Should school be year-round?
Should school be year-round?
What do you think?
For each side of the debate, underline three reasons why schools should or should not be year-round. After studying the points on both sides, state your own opinion in one sentence. Find our opinion-writing activity online!
