Taking a Break
Charlotte Rogers | Nov. 26th, 2019 | Features
As the weather grows colder during the fall and winter months, students, teachers, and faculty begin to think about the upcoming seasonal breaks. This week, Thanksgiving break provides those at Stanton College Preparatory School with what is, for some, a much-needed education vacation. In December, the school system will go on a lengthier winter break. During these breaks, students and teachers are given the opportunity to relax and recuperate after long months of work and stress.
The student body celebrates this time off from school, and for a good reason—sometimes students just need a break. While there is evidence that over breaks students can experience a “learning gap”—a disparity between what a student knows and what a student should know— students at an academically rigorous school like Stanton need them. Some believe that, despite a potential learning gap, time off is undoubtedly worth it.
“Holiday breaks are important for Stanton students in particular because of the workload,” said sophomore Simran Dubey. “I do feel I experience a learning gap, but that’s inevitable because we aren’t constantly honing a specific skill [over break] like we would at school.”
The Thanksgiving and winter breaks provide an opportunity for Stanton students to focus on the parts of life that are often pushed aside because of large workloads and stress. This time-off is beneficial for students’ mental and social health.
“A break gives students time for mental relaxation,” said sophomore Cydne Woodley. “It allows them to spend time away from homework and schoolwork so they can spend time with family, friends, and their social life.”
Students are not the only ones who feel that breaks are necessary. Teachers at Stanton agree students need time off from schoolwork and homework to relax. Social studies teacher Mr. Brian Heggood is one teacher who does not assign homework over breaks.
“In recent years, I’ve been trying to honor the idea that the break is a break from material,” said Mr. Heggood. “It’s important in terms of learning and your own management of your life that you take a step back from school.”
Teachers also benefit from the holiday breaks. They can use this time to catch up on grading work and reflect on the school year so far.
“Teachers spend a lot of time and energy focused on the day-to-day grind of school,” said Mr. Heggood. “It’s important for everyone to be able to take a step back, look at the way you are doing things at school, and maybe do something different.”
With the Thanksgiving and winter breaks approaching, students and teachers at Stanton look forward to time off from school. While students may lose their grasp on some material, breaks are invaluable to teachers and students who need a pause from the rigor of life at Stanton.