Vacations and breaks at Loomis are essential to the health and comfort of students. Within a culture of hard work and stress, even the smallest days off play an invaluable role in the well-being of students. However, though both the Fall and Winter Terms have four-day long weekends in the middle of the term, serving as a crucial break at the right time, the Spring only has two days off in total. Not two long weekends– just two days off: Spring Catch-Up Day and Memorial Day. The lack of proper breaks and even days off compared to other terms, at first glance, is detrimental for students, raising the question of whether or not further accommodations should be made.
However, after considering all factors involved and interviewing those involved in the creation of the academic calendar, I do not believe a four-day long weekend is necessary. Given the improved weather and the short length of the spring term, the proportionally small number of days off makes sense, and still ends up improving student health. Nevertheless, the lingering feeling of too few breaks remains. Instead, I believe that Loomis should add just one day off after midterms in the spring and consequently add a day in a different term.
Though this issue is more impactful for some and perspectives differ, both teachers and students seem to agree with my opinion. Math Department Faculty Albert Rubin explained how “especially after midterms, everyone’s brain just seems kind of shut off,” highlighting the importance of mental breaks after a month of strenuous effort.
However, on the administrative side, Webb Trenchard, the Associate Head of School, brought up another point about school breaks. “In the Spring Term, we already graduate seniors early,” he said, highlighting how further breaks would strip even more time from an already-short term. This is the primary issue in creating a break in the Spring Term, as adding more time off would compress an already tight academic calendar for students, and especially seniors.
Additionally, Mr. Trenchard also brought up another flaw, explaining that important academic units would be “[compacted]… into less time,” which would create more difficulties for students. With AP exams in early May and other crucial tests, it is especially important for students such as myself, who require more time and effort to master material, to have enough time to study for and complete assessments, homework, and projects.
However, though a four-day long weekend might become harmful, other alternatives exist. For example, Mr. Rubin suggested that “after a big midterm, there needs to be an extra day off.” Having only one day off would mitigate concerns that students might take a while to readjust after a longer break.
Thus, even with the brevity of the Spring Term, there should be one day off directly following midterms to meaningfully provide the opportunity and time to adjust, charge, and relax. This additional day off would greatly benefit the mental health and sustainability of students, faculty, and staff alike.
