Everyone needs a break sometimes, but for the Grosse Pointe South School District, that break doesn’t come until Thanksgiving. For many students, that’s far too long to wait, marking the “dry season” of the school year: nearly three months with no scheduled time off. There are no organized breaks during the first and fourth quarters, yet after Thanksgiving, the calendar is filled with regular breaks almost every month. So why must students wait so long for their first break? And why can’t South’s schedule be more balanced throughout the year?
Currently, the breaks are scheduled as such: Thanksgiving break (Nov. 26 – 28), winter break (Dec. 22 – Jan. 2), mid-winter break (Feb. 16 – 20) and spring break (Mar. 30 – Apr. 3). It’s obvious that they’re separated like this for a reason: the schedule favors structure over balance, evident by the way breaks are clustered later in the year. Students and teachers commonly say, “Just have to get through until November, then it’s smooth sailing from there.” However, it shouldn’t be this way.
I believe that there should be an October fall break to serve as the necessary “reset” button. Many colleges and universities already include a short fall recess in their calendars, recognizing the importance of wellness; according to Brock University in Ontario, Canada, a break in the fall reduces the mental fatigue that builds up during the long stretch of the first quarter.
This need for a fall break is especially important for seniors. October is a high-stakes period filled with demanding deadlines, and applying Early Action or Early Decision during this time can positively influence their admissions outcomes, according to College Board. A fall break would give students extra time to focus on these applications, while also enjoying the outdoors and the beauty of fall.
Spending time outdoors during daylight can further support students’ well-being. For example, the Attention Restoration Theory, developed by psychology professors at the University of Michigan, explains that exposure to natural settings reduces stress hormone levels and improves mood by restoring attention, ultimately benefiting students.
While there are many positives to this proposed fall break, some may ask: how can this work within the state-mandated number of break days? One solution is to borrow a few days from mid-winter break; it still would happen, but students and teachers could enjoy a fall break earlier in the year as well. This adjustment is reasonable, especially since winter break and spring break are only around two months apart, so it wouldn’t be overly disruptive.
With this change, the school would effectively provide two long weekends instead of a single week-long break. By spacing breaks out more evenly, the schedule would allow for much-needed time off in both seasons — after all, everyone does need a break sometimes.
