The Crosby Chronicles: Give me a break!

This will be the last time Glendale schools will finish the first half of the school year in January. Beginning next school year, Glendale will follow the schedule of other districts including Burbank’s by concluding the fall semester before Winter Break.

While this means starting school even earlier in August, it is helpful to students at the middle and high school level who can take final exams before Christmas, and return after New Year’s to begin the spring semester. No longer will a student’s vacation be overshadowed by studying for finals. No longer will teachers be tempted to pile on projects during the two-week break.

Finally, the break from school will be a break from school, which is healthy for both teachers and students as they recharge their batteries for the second half.

Brian Crosby is a teacher in the Glendale Unified School District and the author of Smart Kids, Bad Schools and The $100,000 Teacher. He can be reached at brian-crosby.com.