Despite some objections from teachers, the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee approved the 2016-17 academic calendar without a February vacation at their meeting on Monday, April 25, 2016.
Kickemuit Middle School teacher Jane Swift read out loud a letter to the School Committee trying to convince the board members to reinstate February break, which was eliminated for the first time this school year. Swift said that vacation is a necessary stress-break for both students and teachers.
“Students need a break” Swift said. “Twenty four out of 36 school districts surveyed will have February break… A longer summer break will create a loss of academic knowledge.”
Board member Erin Schofield suggested the committee should discuss moving the vacation to March. The board members agreed to gradually approve that idea to merge the February and April vacations into one week off in March but noted that families may need time to adjust to the changes. School Superintendent Mario Andrade said some may have already planned family vacations for next year.
“As a parent, every time I turn around it’s vacation, vacation, vacation,” said Karen Lynch, the committee’s secretary.
The Bristol Warren School Committee members voted 8-0 for having no February break for the 2016-17 school year, but having a March break in future years. Committee member Diana Campbell was absent.
When Schofield asked what the downsides of moving the break was, the board members all agreed that they did not want to set the March vacation for the 2016-17 school year because it would anger the families who have already planned to travel for break.
Vice Chairperson Paul Silva said, “This idea was discussed three years ago. It was the original plan.”
The first day of school for the 2016-17 school year is Aug. 31, 2016. The last day is June 13, 2017, with three vacations in between the first and last days.
Other topics discussed at this meeting were the Gun Free School proposal, which was passed with a 7-1 vote. Committee member John Saviano was opposed. The Gun Free School proposal was proposed by Jerry Belair, president of Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence.
Eighteen school committees already adopted coalition’s proposal.
Saviano said he voted against this plan because he believes the Bristol Warren Regional school system need more teachers that are trained to hold a weapon for self defense. Saviano thinks we always need to be ready.
Board members talked about the disposal of the portable classroom used at Byfield School, now being used for storage behind the high school. This idea agreed upon by the board members to remove the classroom and sell it. The committee voted 8-0 to authorize putting the portable classroom up for sale.
Leah Brodsky of Scituate, Massachusetts, is a first-year student majoring in journalism at Roger Williams University.