When I went to school, it was the last Monday in August all the way to June 30.  (With a week off for Spring Break and two weeks off for Christmas.)

Now they've changed it in the province so school starts on the Tuesday after Labour Day and goes to June 30.  (With the same Spring Break and Christmas break.)

For us, Spring Break is in the week that includes April 1.

Our system is mainly the same as YW describes.  The exact opening & closing dates change a bit, as the teachers contracts include a specified number of 'instructional days'.

However there are some school in our area that have opted for 'year round schooling' - so instead of a long summer break, there are several breaks of about 3 weeks each spaced throughout the year.  It's still a bit experimental, but those who attend seem to give it good reports.   

I find that interesting Carolla.  I can see both pros and cons.  Children can forget a lot through the two months of summer and take most of September to catch up to where they were in June.  It would make maximum use of school buildings.  But it must play havoc with vacation plans.  And if they don't have airconditioning it must get awfully hot in the schools in July and August.  Also the older kids might be needed to work on farms or fishing or construction during our short summer season, or they may want to get jobs just for experience or to earn money for school - or to travel.  And I would think having little kids on one schedule and big kids on another would be a scheduling and busing nightmare.   I'm presuming that the total number of days instruction for each child would be about the same as in the more conventional system.

You're right about all of the above seeler!  Parents with kids in different schools have a real challenge meshing schedules.  Or parents teaching/working in different schools.   

I think it's only new schools being used - so yes, they have cooling.   And it's an urban area, so the farming/fishing thing doesn't factor in. 

On the other hand, having vacation periods in "off" times is a bonus - usually all the flights, vacation packages etc. go WAY up in cost when it's school vacation time - not to mention the congestion at the airports & on the highways etc. during spring & Xmas breaks.  Having been married to a teacher - I can certainly relate to that!

This year the kids are starting earlier, ending later and they only have one week off for Christmas and March break has been moved to February and has been extended to two weeks.  They did this because we are hosting the Canada winter games in February.  I'm still not sure why they are having the kids out of school for it. I'm also not sure what to think about it. 

I kind of like the shorter Christmas break because it is almost the same as my Christmas shutdown at work.  I don't like the idea of a February break because I can be certian that the weather will not be nice enough to have the kind of days out somekid and I had last march break.

The other side of American schools going back early is that they start summer holidays before us. Often end of May or very early June

Year round schooling, for me, would have been a complete disaster.  Firstly, I doubt that I would have graduated at all, but if I did, it would have taken quite a bit longer.  There is just no way that I could have handled not having the long break.  My patience for school was short :)  Besides which, I would have had to work part time year round to have any kind of money saved for University.

But then, most people liked school more than I did.

In fairness, I could have gone to English and music classes all year round.

One thing we have perhaps overlooked in the thread about summer activities, is the inner-city children and young people who don't get to go on camping trips with their families, or play organized sports, or travel, and for whom the expense of a week away at camp is out of the question.  The younger children probably continue at day-care, or whatever child care arrangements their parents are able to make, but the older children and young teens may spend their summers hanging out on the street or the malls with nothing to do.  Too old to be baby-sat, to young for employment, what is there for them to do?  

Year round schooling might be the solution.  But if it were to happen, I would hope that some of the extra hours spent at the school might be used for enrichment courses - sports, art, drama, mechanics - with lots of day trips to interesting and informative (and fun) places around the city and the area. 

No.  Year round schooling is just not a good idea, no matter how you sell it.

Look, we have a third of the year at most in this country when it is possible to be outdoors without significant protectiong against the weather.  We now allow kids half of that time to get outside and play.  Two months in which to be children, to enjoy this marvellous earth and all the pleasures that come from the great outdoors.  That's it. You simply cannot convince me that taking that away, locking them up in air conditioned schools where they pollute the world that they can only stare at longing through the glass, is good for society on balance.

You are right, seeler, we should have more publicly available camps and programs.  We should have municipalities that give damn and clean their waste so the beaches can be used.  We should have a society that values those who's work it is to raise our children.

None of those are solved by year round schooling.  All year round schooling does is paper over the basic problems of this society, and all even greater opportunity for the destruction of our children's creativity and independence.

Actaully year round schooling-at least here in Edmonton area-does not have extra hours of schooling. There is 4 weeks off in July but a fall break and 2 weeks off in the spring. Extra days off here and there .Total number of inschool hours for students are the same and those that get the traditional 9 weeks off in the summer.

In northern wisconsin, the kids get a break during hunting season.  why? it is an important part for some of the families meat source --(frozen venison). 

kids get out early compared to ours...return early compared to ours....but, have optional summer programs run by teachers throughout the summer -- music camp, football camp, arts camp,etc

I agree seeler that studies have shown that the children who do poorly as a result of the long summer break are children of the poor.

They don't have the opportunities to do other things like the middle class does.

I think the solution though has to be one that has more activities for those children.  Free day camps, all camps having to have bursary programs, life guards on beaches, things that will get kids out and exploring.

I agree with Rev MAtt that a breeak to regroup and explore.  TO be alone and think.  these are important things.  Whiel the same number of days off in a year round school equals the same education, a series of one month breaks doesn't recharge your batteries.

A month break doesn't allow the time needed to explore, expand, invent, learn, try new things.

Yes the children of the poor need to be addressed.  Programs through the schools, mandatory swimming lessons, day camps, overnight camps, all needs to happen.

RevMatt - I couldn't agree with you more.  We have a responsibility towards the children who are hanging out on the streets (and getting into trouble).  Summer programs - where they can enjoy the outdoors - have fun - and have some great experiences in this country that has (or should have) so much more to offer than an inner city street corner or an underground shopping mall.  Churches, service clubs, private citizens, and most of all our governments are letting kids down.