Monday, May 23, 2011

no-vacation nation

I just saw this article on CNN.com. If you get me started on this topic, I will go on and on for quite some time.

The bottom line: we do not have nor do we take enough vacation in America. I know we need to work to provide for our families, but I wonder if more families would be stronger relationally if we spent more time together and less time working away from each other?

I love teaching my students about the school system in France. The looks on their faces each year are priceless. I print off this calendrier scolaire from the French government's website and pass it out.

All students in France start the school year at the beginning of September. At the end of October and into early November, they get 10 days off. They have a 2 week long Christmas break (mind you, we only had 9 days off last year, and 11 this). Then things get awesome, but slightly confusing: the government divided France into 3 different zones, and the next two breaks in the school year differ based on where you live. Everyone gets 2 weeks off in late February/early March (perfect time to hit the slopes in the Alps) and then another 2 weeks off in late April/early May. The school year continues throughout June, but they have all of July and all of August off for a summer vacation... and WHY can't we adopt this?

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