Winter break should begin before Christmas

It just doesn't make sense to me why winter break (formally known for decades as Christmas vacation) was altered to two weeks after the holiday most of us celebrate: Christmas!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this moves the winter break farther from Hanukkah for our Jewish friends as well.

The hoopla is over by this time. The opportunity for quality family time preparing for the holidays, gift-exchanging with friends and relatives and spiritual celebrations that take place in churches are all missed out on.

In my opinion, this decision undermines our holiday and it really puts a damper on our usual traditions. I also wonder how people will be able to travel long distances to be with family for Christmas?

I know some may argue that they can "get more done with the kids in school," referring to holiday preparations, but honestly, the cons far outweigh the pros. For decades the break has taken place one week prior and one week after Christmas--wasn't it working for most of us? Cheryl Bisera Newbury Park