As students gear up for finals, many find themselves drowned with work and projects given by their teachers in order to prepare them for exams. Students, often drained this time of year due to excessive assignments, tend to spend their time cramming in study sessions, and teachers become burnt out as they attempt to finalize last-minute lessons. The decision to give students and staff the entire week off for Thanksgiving break is beneficial because it gives students and staff additional time with their families and extra days to destress.
In past years, MUSD only allocated three days for teachers and students to have off during Thanksgiving week. Although this allowed students to visit their families and take a short period of time away from deadlines, it did not allow them nearly enough time to rest. The extended break gives students the opportunity to participate in activities they usually would not usually have time for. Teachers will be better prepared to teach their students and provide them with as much energy as possible if they are well-rested themselves.
Not only does extending the break give students and staff the opportunity to spend more time focusing on their well-being, but it allows them to spend more time with their loved ones. According to “Advantages of School Holidays,” an article by Allison Academy, longer breaks allow students more time to take part in activities that are “most often practiced during holiday celebrations.” Extended holiday breaks give families more opportunities to reconnect and spend time with one another as they celebrate the season, including allowing families to conveniently visit other relatives that may live outside of their city, or even out of state.
Additionally, as a result of the colder weather, there is an increased chance of contracting spreading illnesses, including the common cold. An extended break gives students more time to recover from any possible illnesses. This will decrease the number of ill students going back to school after a break, preventing them from missing any class time as a result of being sick. In turn, this will prevent sickness from spreading around campus, and more students will be able to return to class healthy and prepared to put their best foot forward.
By allowing students and staff additional time off for Thanksgiving break, MUSD is allocating more time for those busy with school work to take care of themselves and spend the holidays with family by giving their schools two additional days.