Spokane Public Schools’ new fall break sparks mixed reactions from parents

SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Public Schools’ decision to introduce a fall break next week is generating significant discussion among parents, with reactions ranging from enthusiasm to frustration about how the new school calendar will affect their families.

The fall break marks the first time the district has offered this week off as part of its newly redesigned school calendar, which emphasizes shorter, more frequent breaks rather than the traditional long summer vacation.

While some parents view the break as a beneficial opportunity for their children to rest and recover, others express concern that it conflicts with their work schedules and creates childcare challenges.

Nissi, a single, working mother with an 8-year-old daughter, shares the concerns of some parents navigating the new calendar. Her daughter attends daycare five days a week, and the break means Nissi will need to either adjust her work schedule or take time off.

“For working parents like me that are in a single home, it’s a little bit tougher to try to ‘figure it out,'” Nissi said. “And so, I would prefer to go back to a longer break in the summer.”

Spokane Public Schools gathered community feedback before implementing the new schedule this year. The district says shorter, more frequent breaks throughout the year support student learning by preventing kids from forgetting things over the summer.

Still, Nissi feels the schedule does more harm than good for her.

“I think kids are really resilient in learning and a break that’s a couple months long, I don’t think it would impact them very much,” she said.

To help keep kids busy over the break, some are turning to local camps and other activities. In some cases, these camps have dozens of registrations.

Spokane Public Schools is offering free open gym sessions for students during the fall break. Sessions will be held at Chase Middle School from 8 to 10 a.m. and at Shaw Middle School from 1 to 3 p.m.