Cindy and Aaron Miller, Sartell

I am writing to voice my opinion and concern over the recent decision from the Sartell-St. Stephen school board to eliminate spring break. The groups involved in this decision did not reach a consensus and there was no input from the community as a whole.

I’d like to start with the lack of communication as I feel that is the biggest issue. As you may recall it was only a few short months ago this same school board was working very hard to pass both a levy and a bond. During that time the community was involved in a number of communications from meetings on the issue, mailings to our homes, letters from our children’s schools, publications in many local newspapers as well as acting as neighborhood advocates to support the cause. I must say at that time we felt very informed and involved. We felt good about the level of communication between the district and the community. That is certainly not the case with the decision on the school calendar. It angers us to be informed about a decision that effects so many in this community while watching KARE 11 Sunrise the morning after the decision was made. There was no mention of this topic in the local newspapers, on the website, in the newsletter or from the school buildings.

This is not how productive school districts and communities work together.

Next, I realize the school calendar is built around student learning and not vacations. I would argue that having a number of shortened school weeks might not be in the best interest of student learning. As a former teacher, I found that four day school weeks were less productive since it was often hard to start a unit knowing there were only four days to get everything in. In looking at the new calendar with the long weekend breaks that means students will have several two-week periods where it’s four days of learning, fourdays off and four days learning. I really question how that can be productive learning.

Lastly, I feel the opportunity for learning outside the classroom and outside of Sartell is lost in this decision to end spring break. Many families use this time and plan for trips to expose our children to other cultures and to have a global appreciation for the world around us. I know families who routinely volunteer during this time, take mission trips and I believe it was just last year when a community group from Sartell was recognized for their efforts in Mexico at a local orphanage. These things cannot be done in a four-day weekend. It is very sad these opportunities will no longer be available to families during a spring break.

In closing, I am asking the Sartell-St. Stephen school board reconsider this decision to end spring break. I would also ask those of you reading this to make it clear your opinion matters and join us at the Monday, Feb. 27 school board meeting at 6:30 p.m.