Are long vacations Benficial to the students & teachers

Are long vacations beneficial to the students and teachers?

Its a very interesting question.  First thought by practically everyone would be of course.  But are they really?  It is true that vacations allow students a chance to recharge their batteries and get away fromt he grind of school and learning.  It allows them to go out and enjoy childhood without having to constantly be in the classroom under intense pressure from everyone to do well.  Teachers could also use the break to recharge their batteries, travel, and spend time with their families.  The vacation time is very healthy to everyone and relieves the stress of teaching and learning.

 However, there are some drawbacks to long vacations.  Other than travel, do teachers and students need a full week off?  By having extended vacations, both students and teachers need a day or two to get back into the routine of school.  Students conveniently forget what they had learned before these vacations as well.  It just seems that lots of time is lost in reviewing old material inorder to continue with the new material. 

In high school, we had 2 months ago a christmas break, three weeks after that midterms and regents week.  And then 3 weeks after that another week off.  And in less than a month another week for Easter.  It seems like there is time off every few weeks.  How can teachers and students expect to eprform at their best if they can’t get into a routine.  Do we need to really recharge our batteries every three weeks???

 Now as an educator myself, I would say of course I do.  I enjoy my long weekends and long vacations.  Anytime i can spend with my family and friends is well deserved and well appreciated.  Would i want less vacation time?  I would consider less vacation time during the year if it meant a longer summer vacation.    I love my vacation time and wouldn’t give it up for the world.  But coming back from vacations is very frustrating and tiring trying to get the students back into the swing of things.