Return School Start to After Labor Day

Should the school summer break return to its long tradition of waiting until Labor Day for the start of the new school year?  I think so.  I understand many teachers may not agree with me, but I am of the strong opinion that schools in RI should start the Wednesday after Labor Day, as they always did.  After Labor Day was the traditional end of summer and start of the next season.  There are eleven or so local school districts that remain with an after-Labor Day start.  They have it right.  The current rationale that snow days can push the end of school into late June doesn't really apply anymore with distance learning days, etc.  The end of August is usually hotter than mid or late June.  Many Rhode Islanders can't afford exotic vacations and enjoy summertime by taking inexpensive day trips to a beach or renting a beach house.  Some just enjoy quick trips throughout New England, visiting fun parks & lakes or just leisure backyard pool time, etc.

Summers in RI have always been short and have been made a couple of weeks shorter by pre-Labor Day school starts.  Throw in a few rainy days or even weeks and our summer is even shorter.  Families generally start back-to-school shopping a week or more before school starts.  Add that task to the end of summer schedule.  The end of August can be oppressive and while September may be warm, it is bearable as the fall approaches fast.

I also maintain that starting school before Labor Day is not good for the economy.  Coastal shops and restaurants that rely on summer and tourist trade also notice the late summer drop off in business.  I have asked the opinion of a few local beach rental companies.  They all agreed that business has slowed for them in mid to late August.  One response I got from a well-known realtor was; "Who wants to rent a beach house if your kids are back to school?"  Restaurants, gift shops, ice cream stands and our very own beaches have all noticed the slowdown of summer business with the current school schedule.

Many of my best memories are of those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of late summer."  Going to the beach or playing ball or hanging out with family and friends until the last dog days of August represented a passage in time.  September meant some new crisp school clothes, new school supplies and facing new teachers and the year ahead.  Sometimes we would still go to the beach or continue summertime fun well into September weekends.  We wanted summer to last as long as possible!

I posted my opinion in a social media platform and to my surprise, I received over 230 comments (to date).  All were in agreement with me!  So maybe my thought isn’t that far-fetched.  It may be time for the East Providence School Committee and the East Providence Teachers Association to re-visit this issue.  It makes perfect sense to me.

So, in deference to those who may disagree, I say Bah-Humbug!  If you’re not a beach or summer person, at least think of the local economy!  For me, a rainy day at the beach is better than a sunny day at school or work.  And whatever your opinion is – live life, enjoy life, stay well.