Ask a teacher on Summer Break

[Cecelia]

What are your thoughts on year round school?

For me it depends on what kind of schedule they have.  I mean both year round and traditional schools typically have the same number of days to go to school (usually 180).  With breaks spread apart a bit more.  Some have longer summers, while others have shorter ones.  I'd prefer a longer summer, if simply because I like being able to lounge by my pool and relax.  It's also a great time to take a vacation.  In the winter it's harder to travel.  

Year Round School certainly has many advantages.  Such as kids not having as long between classes, and not as long between breaks where they're longing for the days of summer.  (Spring Fever hit one of my college professors very hard one year even).  I think it works better in areas where it's cooler year round.  It'd cost a lot less to keep the school cooler.

Part of me would prefer year round, simply because I wear heels to school.  (Silly reason, I know!)  If I don't wear them now and again during the summer, when I start back to wearing them they kill my feet.  Of course I've remedied this by starting to wear heels once in a while in the summer. 

Overall both have their pros and cons.  With year round, we wouldn't have to spend as much time reviewing everything from the previous year.  You'd have kids more focused, and probably a little more relaxed.  But I'm not sure the advantage is THAT strong.  And there's cost to factor in, especially in areas where it starts getting hot in June.  And certainly really hot in August.  On the other hand, summers give teachers better time for professional development.  I can't imagine teaching and taking night classes to get my masters.  I took summer courses, and managed to get my masters.  Then you have the mini breaks, after which you have to have mini reviews, which you don't have as much of with traditional school schedules.   You also have time for kids to go to summer camp (which you still have some of in Year-Round school of course) and they have more time to explore other interests outside of school.  Not to mention planning family vacations--which can be hectic.  That's more on parents and their own scheduling though.  (We actually got to go on a real vacation for the first time this year in a long time!)