District 219 Mulls Changes to School Holidays, Winter Break

Niles Township High School District 219 officials are using the results of a resident survey to determine what changes, if any, should be made to the school calendar, which can be complicated considering the diversity of the student body as it relates to religion, ethnicity and cultural backgrounds.

Residents were asked their opinion on holidays, whether the school year should begin later in August and if winter break should be shortened from three weeks to two, reported the Chicago Tribune.

According to survey results, six out of 10 respondents said they were satisfied with the current calendar, while 46 percent of staff members and 45 percent of parents felt school should start later in August.

Respondents were allowed to make individual comments on the survey. An analysis of those comments show that these are some of the most commonly expressed opinions, according to a board report:

• 116 people requested that school start later in August.
• 95 people expressly stated that they are happy having finals before winter break.
• 94 people said three weeks is too long for winter break.
• 83 people said calendars should be more closely aligned between the high school and the sender school districts.

As a result of this survey, the board recommended the following actions:

• Limit winter break in the future to two weeks. Many parents told us that three weeks were simply too long.
• Meet with the Niles Township superintendents to share the results of this survey and discuss ways to better align all school calendars.
• If the board decides to have school in attendance on the major religious holidays, the district will be very thoughtful and deliberate in reminding staff members, parents and students that students will not be penalized for being absent if they observe those days.

Any calendar changes must be made by the school board and would not become effective until the 2017-2018 school year, reported the Chicago Tribune.

Read more from the report here.