As HHS transitions into the season where the leaves transform into different colors, students have more than just fall weather and fall activities to look forward to. In November, students have the most days off.
According to the school website, school will be closed on November 1 due to Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. A student from HHS shared his plans for this holiday.
Rishi Gopal, a senior, said, “On Diwali, I celebrate it by praying to the Gods, singing songs and eating a feast.”
School is also closed November 7 and 8 for the New Jersey Education Association Convention in Atlantic City. Teachers from all over the state head down to Atlantic City for professional development, while families and students have other plans for the four-day long weekend.
Freshman, Nicolette Serrano said, “During the break, I am depending on staying home and unwinding from all of the effort and performance I have given from the start of the school year.”
Other students also mention relaxing, and share more plans.
Charles Whittlesey, a sophomore, said, “I am looking forward to having days off relaxing at home and spending time hanging out with friends. I’m also looking forward to spending the day and night at Six Flags to celebrate my birthday.”
Teachers attending the convention are looking forward to reflecting on teaching practices and connecting with other teachers..
Miranda Kianka, a math teacher said, “I think it’s cool to have new workshops and give teachers resources for not only school purposes but also their own mental health.”
Although some teachers may be attending, some are not.
Lisa DeJohn, science teacher at HHS, said, “I am not attending the convention this year, but I am looking forward to quality family time.”
Falling on the 28th and 29th of November, Thanksgiving recess comes around resulting in the two school days being closed. Families come together to celebrate thankfulness in various ways.
Two students shared their Thanksgiving traditions. Alison Day, a junior said, “Typically my grandparents come up and we have dinner at my house, but this year I am getting my wisdom teeth out.”
Lila Kucharski, a senior, said, “Every year my family and I go to my grandma’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. The morning of Thanksgiving, my brother and I wake up and watch the Macy’s parade, while eating the homemade cinnamon buns we made for breakfast.”
While students and staff may enjoy the time off, teachers and administrators need to consider how this break affects student learning.
DeJohn said, “The school calendar definitely affects learning and planning. It is harder for students to participate in meaningful learning when there are a lot of breaks in the time they spend engaging in material. As teachers, we do our best to plan lessons for these situations that will maximize the possible learning with the limited contact time we have.”
Kianka said, “It mainly affects tests and quizzes and prolongs review days and pushes back test dates.”
Jeffery DiLollo, principal of HHS, said that the school is prepared, planning for 183 days of instruction and days off including religious and national holidays.“November and December have the highest number of school closure dates for the year,” he said. “Teachers are well aware of students’ strengths and their missing challenges in their classroom.”
He also noted the benefits of time off. “I am looking forward to teachers getting exposure to new concepts and collaboration on teaching strategies and learning ideas. I’m hoping students and teachers will be returning with a sense of restfulness and eagerness to bring new ideas to the classroom setting,” DiLollo said.
