WINTER BREAK IS ONLY 1.5 WEEKS (10 DAYS) THIS YEAR (not including weekends, which we have off anyway)

To the Gretna School District Community,

As students dedicated to our education and growth, we spend long hours each week studying, learning, and striving to meet our academic goals. Yet, under the current school calendar, our winter break has been reduced to a mere 10 days. This brief respite simply doesn’t offer enough time to recover from the intense demands of the school year.

For many of us, winter break is more than just a holiday—it’s a time to reconnect with family, rest, and reestablish a healthy balance after months of hard work. In recent years, growing concerns about student stress and burnout have emphasized the need for adequate time to relax and recharge. The American Psychological Association (APA) and various education studies underscore that adequate breaks are essential for mental well-being, motivation, and sustained productivity. Without sufficient time to decompress, many students and educators return to the classroom feeling drained, rather than rejuvenated, impacting our ability to engage fully in our studies and teaching.

This request is not about avoiding academic responsibility but about fostering an environment where students can thrive, both mentally and academically. Learning requires more than hours in the classroom—it demands focus, enthusiasm, and emotional resilience. When we feel overworked and exhausted, our capacity to absorb and engage with new information is compromised, diminishing the quality of our education. A longer winter break would allow students to restore their energy, and it would provide staff with much-needed time to prepare for the next term, ensuring a better experience for everyone.

The brief winter break also impacts our families. For many, the holiday season is the only time extended families can come together. With limited time off, students and educators must choose between spending precious moments with family or prioritizing rest, ultimately missing out on one or the other. Gretna School District prides itself on fostering a strong sense of community and shared values. Offering a longer winter break would reflect these values, showing that we prioritize not only academic achievement but also the well-being and happiness of everyone in our community.

This proposal is a call for a more humane and balanced approach to education. As students, we’re prepared to work hard, but we also need the support of a schedule that values our mental health and recognizes the limits of productivity. Extending our winter break aligns with proven mental health practices and creates an educational environment where students and staff can bring their best selves to school.

By signing this petition, you’re standing with us to advocate for a school calendar that better reflects our community’s commitment to well-rounded, supportive education. Together, we can encourage the district to adopt a more balanced schedule—one that upholds our values, nurtures our well-being, and respects the essential need for rest.

Thank you for your support in building a brighter, healthier future for all Gretna students and educators.