Weeklong Winter Break or Long Weekend? BOE to Decide

Caldwell-West Caldwell families should plan on enjoying the upcoming week off since the school district's winter break may be abbreviated to a long weekend next year. 

At Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Daniel Gerardi proposed taking only Monday and Tuesday rather than a full week off in 2012-2013 in order to end the school year by June 21, 2013. Otherwise, Gerardi said, the school year would extend to June 26, which is a Wednesday, and later in the month than typical.

Gerardi said the proposed change would only affect the 2012-2013 school year since there are anomalies in the calendar, such as New Year’s Day falling on a Tuesday.

Susan Callaghan, president of the teachers' association, told the board the majority of teachers oppose the move because this is an opportunity for children to “recharge.”

“The overwhelming consensus is that we should maintain that break,” Callaghan said. 

She added, “This is something we feel is in the best interest of the children that we teach.”

The Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education is expected to vote on the 2012-2013 school calendar at the Monday, Feb. 13 meeting.