COURTENAY, B.C- Students in the Comox Valley’s public school system are getting an extra week off.
A recent vote by the schoolboard of School District 71 (SD71) put the seal of approval on the plan to make Spring Break two weeks, instead of one, for the next three years.
Both the break in 2017 and the planned break in 2018 are two weeks long. With the approval by the board, 2019 and 2020 will be just as long.
According to SD71, online surveys on the idea attracted around 1182 people to take part, the largest voter turnout ever for the school district’s surveys. Staff, students, parents, teachers, and other members of the community added their opinions, with 76 per cent in favour of the break.
SD71 spokesperson Mary Lee believed the switch would be welcomed by local families and businesses who could plan for the longer break.
“It’s huge benefits, for so many people, not just SD71,” said Lee.
“The parent community, and teachers, so many people in the local Valley, just knowing that they have a whole bunch of students that can take in their recreations and sports and plan for that entire period.”
She was also happy with the margin of support for the longer break.
“76 per cent, that says a lot,” said Lee.
“That the community likes the longer break, and after a hard winter, why not?”
This year’s break, commencing March 26, will coincide with the Easter long weekend.
