The other week, a reader brought up a good point about Lakewood not being aligned with schedules of other towns and cities.
Well, being that our schedules anyways don’t align and making it difficult to plan family trips etc., I have a different proposal.
I believe schools should give off four weeks in the summer, as well as four weeks in the winter.
The boys and girls work very hard, and they should not have to look forward all year to a proper break. (The couple days off during Chanukah or midwinter is not enough.) Just like the summer gives children the boost their need for the year, I believe giving them four weeks off during the winter season will give them the boost they need to get through the long winters.
And if you think this idea is crazy, there are actually places in Europe that have such a school schedule.
Why not give it a try and see how it does?
A parent.
TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to [email protected].
Kk
I am struggling to find a daycamp for my kids for the next few weeks. Not looking to do the same in winter. I am not sure this schedule works for the family where both parents work.
While you’re at it, please share your proposal for how working parents can hold down a job if we were to implement this ludicrous idea.
It certainly does not work if both parents work. Kids are out of school too much.
with all due respect. this is a troll. what exactly are the rebbes/teachers supposed to do for parnossa? you are asking them to forgo 2 months salary? Also, why not curtail the hours they are in school as their day is too long and there is too much homework. Last but not least, this is Lakewood Ihr HaTorah not Lakewood Ihr ha-vacation.
Then we’ll be pressured to go on winter vacation trips which tend to be more expensive than summer trips. It’s easier to keep the kids entertained in the warmer weather.
Wrong. Nobody can pressure you except you. No exceptions.
What about shorter school hours, less homework, 12 months a year?
So basically we’ll just be sending out applications all year!
Applying kids to school, winter & summer camps.
Joy!
Oy.
It can only work if it is universal for all Jewish communities, because of camps, summer bungalows etc.
Its not a crazy idea, the agrarian school year isn’t relevant anymore. I think the author is trying to say that instead of a massive 2 month break where kids slide back, split it up into a winter and summer block. But this comes with the understanding that there will be huge energy costs as the schools have to air condition in the summer. And there are sure to be issues around child care during that Winter break session too. Though I imagine some enterprising people will come up with a winter camp idea.
Kids also learn through play. Learning is important obviously but childhood is so short and being able to be a child is critical to their well-being and mental health.
You would think that school and curriculum is something which was created by a consensus of parents (and children’s)wants and preferences. however surprise !surprise! there’s an entire section of shulchan aruch dealing what children should be learning and how long and when. We parents (or children) simply don’t get a vote.
I say there should be no break from school all 52 weeks. There can be school camp when they need to refresh and have a break from learning but kids and their parents need a schedule.
Once we are at it, girls should have school on Sundays too!