There are few expressions in this world that evoke as much feeling as the words, “summer holidays.” I place them up there with, “happy birthday,” “Christmas morning,” and “the Flames just won the Stanley Cup.”
Okay, I exaggerate, but three out of four isn't bad.
But the summer holidays are really in a league of their own, as there are two distinct camps—two distinct players, if you want to work with that metaphor. There are two opposing views when it comes to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer (that is actually a song, Maurice).
On the one hand, we have teachers and all other classroom-related professionals; and on the other hand hand, the parents—actually, it would be specifically the mother. For the former, summer holidays represent a lighter schedule, quieter days, and fewer late nights. If things aren't much different for them, it's of their own choosing. And for the latter, it's a heavier schedule, louder days, and many late nights—with none of their own choosing.
There are norms that we docile, compliant parents have assumed to be correct and acceptable, with limited opportunities to challenge or tweak. But said norms should be at least discussed. For instance, who says we have to go to school from September to June? Who decreed it to be five days a week? And do we have any room or time to discuss curriculum? (No, not at this point.)
The thriving homeschool movement, of course, has laid bare many of the frailties of the day school system. It has, I suppose, some inherent weaknesses, but for the most part, it has been a terrific alternative to the status quo. But this is not a discussion on the merits of home education, as many as there are.
This is simply a comment on the way we acquiesce to educational traditions without so much as a squawk—summer holidays being one of them. It is assumed that late June to very early September is the normal slot for taking time off school. It is assumed that that slot must be filled with family vacations, week-long camps, fun in the sun, and even an occasional job.
And I have little problem with that for the most part.
But it's stimulating to at least take a token step backward and see if there is a better way to use our time—not just during the summer months, but year-round. If I were the Minister of Education, for instance, for the Wild Rose party, I would be open to looking at year-round school, more regular breaks (with a shorter summer break), greater trade or skills initiative for those in the final three high school grades—for starters.
Summer holidays—today's topic--would then come under closer scrutiny. I think of the plight of working moms (isn't that redundant?) who now have kids to worry about. I think of the dads who are on guilt trips to take holidays at the end of July—especially when we all know that September is the best month to take off. And I think of the kids themselves, who are bored stupid by the end of July.
Does anyone get the impression I don't think the holidays, in their present format, aren't working? Good.
At best, without any really serious analysis, it would be good to re-examine how we do summer holidays, for the following reasons:
1. Schools wouldn't sit so empty for so long. I know certain projects can only be done when the kids aren't present, but most can be done while they are. It seems like a waste of utilities and space to have these buildings as vacant for as long as they do.
2. There wouldn't be the same pressure on parents to try to fill up the weeks and months. It would be two weeks here, two weeks there—just long enough for parents, students, and teachers to chill, re-connect, then head back to the proverbial coal mines. It would also be easier to get away throughout the year, without competing with other families for that special camping spot or inexpensive hotel room. Obviously, there would have to be staggered breaks throughout the system.
3. The brain drain--used in another context, I know—wouldn't be so apparent. Mental entropy wouldn't set in like it does now. Batteries much be in constant use, else they lose their power. Likewise, the human mind needs to be regularly “charged.” When kids are not being challenged or stimulated for long periods of time, there tends to be measurable regression.
4. The same could be said for teachers: They would likewise be able to take breaks throughout the year, without dragging themselves through ten months of arduous output, not including summer prep at one end, and summer wind-up at the other. Whether they do anything during that break is their call; just taking a breather from the daily grind would be therapeutic enough.
Lazy idea? Probably. Hazy idea? For sure. But mostly a crazy idea—just like summer holidays themselves.
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