There is something that has been bothering me for a while, and I really feel that it is time for parents to start speaking up.
What is happening with the school calendar in our private mosdos?
Every year, it seems that there are more and more days off. This is happening from playgroups, to schools, and even cheder. At the same time, tuition continues to increase.
Of course our children deserve vacations, and of course teachers deserve time off. Nobody is questioning that. But there needs to be a reasonable balance.
Between Yom Tovim, Chanukah vacation, midwinter vacation, days off before and after camp, and shortened summer programs, the amount of time children are not in a structured program has become excessive.
Personally, my children recently had two full weeks off between programs. I honestly don’t remember this ever being the norm. And this is becoming a recurring issue.
Why do we need three days of Chanukah vacation and then another three days of midwinter? We already have so many Yom Tovim and other breaks throughout the year. Could some of these vacations be shortened?
And what happened to summer programs? Why are day camps becoming shorter and shorter, sometimes less than eight weeks? Parents are still working throughout the summer. Our responsibilities don’t become less because school programs become shorter.
This is especially difficult for working mothers.
Playgroups were always known to be one of the more accommodating options for working parents. Now we are hearing more and more that teachers need additional breaks. Again, I completely respect the hard work teachers do and understand that they need time off. But working mothers need consideration too.
Many mothers work in offices, stores, businesses, and other jobs where they don’t have the flexibility to simply take another day off every time school or playgroup is closed.
And this isn’t just about the parents. Our children need structure.
Children thrive on routine and consistency. We are living in a very different generation than we were years ago, and giving children endless unstructured days isn’t necessarily what’s best for them either. In fact, children themselves can become frustrated when they don’t have their normal routine.
So I really want to ask: Where is the balance?
Why does it seem that every year the number of days off increases, while tuition increases as well?
Is there anyone looking at the school calendar as a whole and asking whether this is still reasonable for families?
Maybe it’s time for parents to respectfully start asking these questions instead of simply accepting that “this is how it is.”
Our teachers deserve respect. Our children deserve structure. And our parents—especially those who are working—deserve consideration too.
Something needs to change, and it starts with parents being willing to speak up.
— A Monsey Parent
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good point
Completely agree. I believe that the school calendar should be decided by a committee consisting of, one Hebrew teacher, one English teacher, one parent from a working home, one from a learning/teaching home, and someone from the administration.
It’s important that the schools have dormitories for all students age 3 and up.
Why should parents who work have to watch their own kids? Besides, I pay almost $8000 tuition for my daughter. The truth is, that amount of money probably covers the entire class! The whole thing is a scam!
The teachers just need to not be so selfish and be a little more moser nefesh for the children of klal Yisroel and stop complaining if they don’t always get paid.
I know someone looking for a job and can’t find one.
They are feeling very down as they can’t stay in the same hotel for Sukkos that they normally do. Yet they don’t complain in letters to the editor.
Something is wrong here.
Do you have kids?
Please tell me this is sarcasm. Why should parents watch their own children? Dormitories for toddlers? Teachers shouldn’t complain if they don’t get paid?
If you are absolutely serious with your reply then I am absolutely gobsmacked.
From the teachers end. Some breaks are very good. It’s hard from them to go on in day out with no breaks. These breaks help prevent teachers getting burnt out.
I feel for working parents. From being on both ends. I think if both parents are working full time. They need a nanny or someone to help fill in when they don’t have off. Tuition increase is very hard. Inflation schools are broke. We need mosiach
Fair point, but the summer situation is also weird. The camps have been turning into 7 weeks instead of 8 and charging the same amount both months. Many parents just aren’t managing with the expense of finding someone in those 2 weeks off, to watch their kids.
And then there’s the little boys who are going into Cheider for the first time and playgroup ended but their school year doesn’t start till Cheshvan..
Then why does every teacher run an in between camp? why is teaching different than any other job
I would like to add my take here.
If teachers need a break, why can’t they get a substitute instead of requesting that the school give everyone a day off?
Working mothers—even those who work limited hours specifically so they can be home for their children—don’t need to turn their entire world upside down because a teacher at their children’s school (and it doesn’t even necessarily mean it’s their children’s teacher) requested a day off.
If working is becoming so difficult, perhaps it’s time for those teachers to consider being stay-at-home moms. There’s nothing wrong with needing the income, but money doesn’t grow on trees—you have to work for it.
Just my two cents.
Agree!
Why in the city they are more accommodating? This post is definitely bringing a sigh of relief for many, i really hope this will shake some things up, who knows