Sheboygan Falls shortens student Spring Break
-
Jesse Ritka reports Video by tmj4.com
video
SHEBOYGAN FALLS – Most kids are used to getting a full week off during Spring Break but Sheboygan Falls has shortened it this year.
The school district dropped the traditional five days down to the two days off of school surrounding Easter weekend. Jessie Mayer has a daughter in high school and isn’t a fan of the change.
"I think the kids deserve to have a longer Spring Break," she said.
Mayer and some other parents are upset they never got to voice their opinion on the change.
"It was kind of decided for us that we're not going to be going on a Spring Break," she added.
But Sheboygan Falls Superintendent Jean Born states the alterations were made for a couple of reasons: first, to help students prepare for standardized tests.
“We know that the state is moving the state smarter balance assessment tests to the Spring of the year," said Born. "We strongly believe that by keeping kids in school and engaged in their learning, their achievement will improve.”
And second, they want to give teachers more professional development days throughout the year to help enhance student experience in the classroom.
“We know when kids are in school, they're engaged in their learning and with the whole new state accountability system, we feel it’s important that they're here and engaged in their learning and for our staff to be engaged with them,” explains Born.
The shortened Spring Break is new to Sheboygan Fall,s but it is not a new concept in Sheboygan County; they join Howards Grove, Kiel and Elkhart Lake among other schools in having the shorter break. Becky Spatz is fine with following in the footsteps of other districts.
“As a parent, it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s long or short," she said. "Some of those parents that are single or have parents that both work, it's hard to find daycare all day long or have to afford to pay for daycare."
But missing that traditional full week off is still a hot topic in many households. Mayer’s daughter still doesn’t believe it.
"She's still thinking we're going to plan a Spring Break this year, we keep telling her no," she said.
The status of next year's Spring Break, however, is still undecided.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.