There’s winter break and there’s spring break, but aside from a handful of potential snow days, what occupies the three-month span in between? Brighton High School solved this issue with a “mid-winter” break from Feb. 13-16. While the long weekend is appreciated, it’s hard not to notice other school districts like St. Patrick Catholic School and South Lyon that enjoyed the entire week off. Is Brighton’s schedule really fair to its students? In my opinion, it isn’t.
By mid-February, the students are running on empty. The excitement of the winter holidays quickly fade away, motivation dips and the cold, drowsy weather makes getting up for school even harder. Many students experience increased stress and fatigue during this stretch of the year, and a longer break would really benefit students to mentally and physically get back on track and recharge. A four-day weekend feels more like a brief pause rather than a true reset.
A full week off school wouldn’t just help students feel better, it would also help them perform better. Based on research and common experience, getting that full week off and returning to school refreshed will improve focus, mood and productivity, and will allow students to be better prepared for the next demanding weeks leading up to spring break and final exams.
Of course, school scheduling is complex and administrators would need to balance breaks for the rest of the year and also make sure it’s okay with the state requirements. BHS has always placed a strong emphasis on mental health and wellness, encouraging students to prioritize balance and manage stress. These messages are important, but they also need to be reflected in action. When a school encourages wellness yet only offers shorter breaks compared to the neighboring districts, it feels like the school isn’t actually catering to the students’ needs. If mental health is truly a priority, giving students adequate time to rest and recharge should be a part of that commitment.
Extending mid-winter break to a full week would reflect that commitment by recognizing that this rest is a necessity. Students work hard all year long, and they deserve a break to allow them to reset. In the end, the question isn’t whether a longer break would be nice; it’s whether it would better support the students. From the perspective of many at BHS, a full week would be the fair and beneficial choice.
