More time off before Christmas makes sense for public schools

I'm a retired preschool administrator/businesswoman with eight grandchildren, four in Conejo Valley Unified School District. I've been following the school board meetings in the March issues of the Thousand Oaks Acorn regarding winter break and I wonder: what is this issue really about?

It should be about the children, shouldn't it?

The holiday schedule, from my experience, starts Oct. 31/Halloween and the momentum begins after the costumes and sugar-rush fades.

By Thanksgiving the community adds various activities, including tree-lighting ceremonies, service groups collecting and delivering food and turkeys to the needy, senior centers scheduling children to entertain at parties, recitals throughout Conejo Valley and beyond, year-end programs, office, school, family, club and neighborhood parties, Christmas/ Hanukkah parties, etc., not to forget (time for) shopping for family, friends and work associates (because) this is the season to show appreciation to all and to give to others.

I was bemused by math teacher Teresa Coffman's statement, "I've never had any problem preparing for the holidays with my family."

She's a superwoman and I applaud her ability to juggle (her calendar during the holiday season) with the demands of educating her students.

Since the state has placed the bar of excellence so high, students are expected to excel. In addition, they're expected to participate in extracurricular activities.

It's not unusual for children to have three to five hours of homework each night, and still (be expected to) participate in sports, music and community service.

Are we (pushing) our kids to the breaking point to fulfill the requirements of the state or the desires of teachers or our local district?

Why push the winter break into January? Is our local district no longer in charge of making wise decisions for the good of our local children or are we being mandated by state policies? How important is it to move the school calendar to the winter break the week after New Year's rather than to slow the demands of school by giving the week off before Christmas?

If you agree that winter break should (begin) the week before Christmas, make it known.

Homeschooling is the fastest growing segment in education nationwide.

This might be another issue that frustrates parents into choosing to homeschool rather than participate in public education. Carolyn Abrahams Thousand Oaks