Winter break is here at last Winter break is here at last (December 23, 2005)

Sunday holidays push back schools' schedules
by Rebecca Guyon

Today, students in the school district start the first full day of their winter break, only two days before Christmas. This is a departure from the district's usual winter break schedule with students off one week before Christmas and one week after, such as last year when students were off Monday, Dec. 20 through Monday, Jan. 3. This year, classes resume Monday, Jan. 9, one week after New Year's Day.

"I can't remember how far back it was that we were bumped against Christmas, but I remember it made shopping stressful ahead of time," said Senior Director of Pupil Services Rich Puppione. "But it sure was relaxing to have that break after New Year's."

With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, the school district, like most employers, is required to give its employees the following Monday--in this case Dec. 26--as a holiday. New Year's Day, also on a Sunday, falls under this same requirement. If winter break started the week before Christmas, students would not be able to return to school on the following Monday, Jan. 2, but instead would start the week on a Tuesday.

Neighboring Livermore and Dublin opted to give students the week before Christmas off and resume classes Tuesday, Jan. 3.

"There are some districts on a schedule similar to what Pleasanton is doing and others are taking the week before, but you always run into issues," said Director of Human Resources Bill Faraghan. The San Ramon Valley Unified School District, which includes schools in San Ramon, Danville and Alamo, opted for the same winter break schedule as Pleasanton. "The key thing is trying to get the calendar set as soon as possible so people can make plans."

Pleasanton sets its academic year calendars three years in advance, meaning its break schedule was set before Livermore and Dublin, Faraghan said. The calendar is decided by a committee of teachers, classified staff and administrators and then has to be approved of by the board of trustees.

Although many parents were surprised by this year's schedule, most said it did not make a difference in their holiday plans and several actually enjoy having their students in school the week before Christmas.

"I like it because I'm able to get shopping done," said Janet Dix who has a fifth grade student at Lydiksen Elementary School. "The kids get so excited before Christmas that it may be harder for the teachers to have them in class, but it's easier on me."

Other parents said they plan their schedules around the break regardless of where it falls.

"We have relatives coming into town for the two weeks while he's off," said Mike Tomin whose son is a student at Amador Valley High School. "It's nice that he'll be able to spend time with them."

While the school sites are closed the entire two weeks, the district offices will be open Jan. 3

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