Every year, Middletown High School South students look forward to the opportunity of fall break. Typically falling in the first week of November, fall break allows students to decompress, catch up on assignments, go away on vacations, and much more. Unfortunately, the school has chosen to eliminate this cherished week off, leaving some students and parents upset.

Previously, this break provided students and families with ample opportunity to travel. Compared to traveling during the school’s two other week-long breaks, found in December and April, during the holidays, the November break was beloved for its access to tickets and lower prices. Travel prices can quickly become costly around the holidays, as plane tickets are in high demand and families are desperate to get away. Since the November break no longer exists, traveling has become much more difficult for students and families this year, who are hoping to spend a week away at a reasonable price. 

One student said, “I know people whose flights kept getting canceled who had to come to school a day late. The thing that annoyed me the most was I was in the airport for nine hours on Sunday since my flight kept getting delayed, and that wouldn’t have happened if the break hadn’t been shortened.” 

Since fall break is no longer a week long, many families chose to spend the long weekend away rather than miss days of school to travel. However, with flight delays and cancellations occurring, the issue of missing school ended up being unavoidable. If the break had remained a full week, students likely would have had the option to return earlier in the week and avoid absences.

The absence of a full week off in November is upsetting for South’s entire student body. Despite the advantages of a shorter break, such as an earlier conclusion to the school year and possible additional days off, having this anticipated break removed is disheartening. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see if South chooses to bring back fall break or if it will be missing in the coming years as well.