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Schools

School to Start Earlier in 2010

Board of Education leaning towards beginning classes before Labor Day

Westfield Public Schools expects to start the 2010-2011 school year the week before Labor Day, due to an unusual schedule of holidays, the Board of Education said at Tuesday's meeting.

After much debate about other alternatives for the calendar, the board agreed starting school on Sept. 2 was the best of all options. It also allowed the district to give a full week off in February for Presidents Day.

"Starting school that early gave us the opportunity, for the first time in years, to give a full week off in February," said board member Gary McCready.

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Still, the proposal met mixed reviews from community members, mostly from parents concerned about finding child care if they expect difficulty getting the time off work.

The board continues to welcome public feedback and will review the calendar plan again at its next meeting on Dec. 15.

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Having classes start before Labor Day and two days off for the Jewish New Year also helps fit in the traditional orientation for incoming students to Westfield High School, on Sept. 1.

"We heard from quite a few public citizens but there was not a preponderance of opinion one way or another," said board president Ginny Leiz.

The calendar also puts spring break during the first full week of April, well before Easter, school elections and Passover. That was done in order to have students in class the week before advanced placement exams and the expected time of statewide testing.

The proposed calendar is on the school district's website.

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