By: Micah Kilimann

It's hard not to notice that we've been starting school earlier and earlier each year. Way back in elementary school, we started in early September, but now we go to class smack dab in the middle of August. So my question is, what's the point in us ending summer break so early?

I interviewed Vice Principal Vetrano on the subject and she says, "The main reason that the Windsor School year is starting in August is so that the students have finals before Winter Break." School now starts on August 16 th , which gives one semester of time before winter break and one after. That way, the first semester ends right before break, and we don't have any school work or finals to worry about over our vacation.  

Then why, if our high school has been around for twelve years now, did the idea take effect only three years ago? The plan was put on the table in 2001, and for a few years after that the school board was getting feedback and suggestions. One local opposer of the plan says, "Why break a tradition that has worked for so many years?" referring to no longer starting school after Memorial Day. Others said that its weird to be on vacation when all the other schools are still in session and then start school when others are still on summer vacation. But the pros outweighed the cons and in 2004, the plan was carried out. In 2005, we started school in late August, which was a week sooner than the year before. Then in 2006 we started school yet another week sooner, on August 16. And don't worry, our summer is not any shorter, its just starts sooner.

Having a schoolwork free winter break is not the only advantage to our early summer. It also makes us end school at the same time that Sonoma State and CSUs end school; which makes it easier for families to take vacations with all of their kids. Another advantage is that students go to summer school earlier in the season, before it gets too hot.

I know a lot of people have been wondering why we go back to school so much earlier than most other schools. So I hope this article clears things up for you about why we start school on August 16.