Fall Break
The semester is half over and children have been hard at work. They’ve earned more than a weekend’s respite. At least, that’s the feeling of the nine Alabama school districts, including Jefferson and Shelby County, that have included a fall break in their school calendar for this year.
It’s the third year for fall breaks in Jefferson County. School Superintendent Dr. Phil Hammonds sees it as a valuable part of the school calendar.
‘I think our view of the fall break is that it really is a chance to refresh yourself, recharge your batteries,’ said Hammonds.
Shelby County School Board Member Peg Hill agrees.
Said Hill, ‘When I was principal, I saw teachers becoming very stressed and tired during October, first of November, like they were trying to survive until Thanksgiving holidays. And I saw discipline problems in children increase like in September, October they began to increase a little bit’They just needed a break. They needed to get away from school and run, romp, have fun and I think that would definitely help lower discipline problems and help attendance.’
This is Shelby County’s first experience with a fall break and while it may be a time of rest and relaxation for some parents, other parents may not be able to take a vacation from work. Mary Parsons, Manager of Parent and Family Services at Childcare Resources in Birmingham, notes the particular challenge fall break may be to working parents.
Parsons observed, ‘We always know spring break is going to come and we make plans for it a lot of times to take a vacation or holiday. The fall break is a time that many parents just cannot be away from the office. So they have some very difficult decisions to make’especially if they’re in the position where they have to work and cannot take the time off to be with their children.’
Some working parents may find a local childcare facility or leave children with a friend or a relative. But some may choose to leave the children at home alone. There are no specific numbers for Alabama but it is estimated that nationwide nearly 14.3 million children are left at home alone after school. These same children may be left home alone for the break week. This worries Parsons.
She noted, ‘One of the things we have found from research over the years is that children under the age of nine are really not mature nor responsible enough to be left alone.’
Jefferson County Superintendent Hammonds is sensitive to working parents concerns. Both Jefferson and Shelby County are extending their after-school care programs to include the week of their fall break.
Hammonds explained, ‘The intent of this is certainly not to penalize any family of to make a situation unbearable for them. We’re here to serve our parents and their children’Overall, having a fall break has been well-received.’
Hammonds adds that Jefferson County Schools will soon be making their calendar for next year and parental input is welcomed and encouraged.
Shelby County’s fall break is this week and Jefferson County students are off next week. For WBHM, I’m Francesca Rosko.
Russia attacks Kyiv, killing 1 and wounding many ahead of Ukraine-US talks
Russia attacked Ukraine's capital with missiles and drones early Saturday morning, killing one and wounding over 20 people a day before talks between Ukraine and the U.S., local authorities said.
Myanmar is set to hold phased elections. Here’s why they’re being called a ‘sham’
Myanmar's military rulers are holding a general election in phases starting Dec. 28 amid the country's civil war. The head of the U.N. says the vote will be anything but free and fair.
Judge to hold hearing on whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being vindictively prosecuted
A federal judge this week canceled the trial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and scheduled a hearing on whether the prosecution is being vindictive in pursuing a human smuggling case against him.
Thailand and Cambodia sign new ceasefire agreement to end border fighting
In addition to ending fighting, the agreement calls for no further military movements by either side and no violations of either side's airspace for military purposes.
Top Instagram reels from Goats and Soda in 2025: Plumpy’Nut, aid cuts, soccer grannies
Our most-viewed Instagram videos include reports from a Rhode Island factory that makes special food for malnourished children and from a tournament for soccer-playing "grannies."
Should the U.S. model its vaccine policy on Denmark’s? Experts say we’re nothing alike
The Trump administration wants to revamp U.S. childhood vaccination recommendations to align with some other peer nations, including one tiny country in northern Europe.
