The length of Milton’s summer break over the past 20 years has varied from 76 days to 88 days, according to school calendars. This year’s summer break has a total of 76 days, which is one of the shortest in that span. Break starts June 6 and ends Aug. 20.
Superintendent Dr. John Bickhart said the length of summer break can be determined by the length of breaks throughout the year.
“The state of Pennsylvania requires 180 school days, and/or 990 hours at the secondary level and 900 hours at the elementary,” Dr. Bickhart said, referring to Act 56.
He added there are a group of people who want school to start after Labor Day, and a group of people who want school to end before June 1. “These two things are very difficult to do at the same time,” he added.
Dr. Bickhart said he receives his feedback from a group of teachers and administrators, as well as some parents.
He added that many families prefer to end in May because the cost for vacations is lower in the beginning of the month of June.
“I think finishing the week of Memorial Day is something that many feel is valuable for maximizing instructional time,” he added.
Dr. Bickhart said if the summer was longer, then there would be less time during the year for breaks. There also wouldn’t be long weekends.
“You guys are asked to do a lot academically, you’re asked to do a lot athletically, extracurricularly. Breaks give people a chance to catch their breath,” he added.
Dr Bickhart said if the state government were to reduce the days required to be in school, then there could be less food security for some students.
He added that it is important to incorporate breaks throughout the year. “We added the whole week of Thanksgiving, so families have the opportunity to travel,” he said.
Most people want school to end in May, so school must start around the middle of August, to meet all the requirements, he added.
Math teacher Ms. Michelle Reichner said though she wasn’t happy about the early start date (Aug. 14 for teachers), she thinks the break is fair.
She said she really enjoys the long weekends and felt that our breaks were pretty evened out. “I enjoy the longer breaks, but I don’t know if the week we have for Thanksgiving or two weeks for Christmas are necessary,” she added.
