Students at MCHS countdown the days to a week-long Thanksgiving break this year.

This school year, MCHS will have a change with parent-teacher conferences, moving them from October, to the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving break.

According to the MCHS District 156 calendar, students will be out of school Nov. 20 to Nov. 24 for an extended fall break. This shift is intended to add more consistency between district 15 and 156, and to add more instructional consistency early in the semester.

“In reviewing our annual calendar, we decided we would try this for several reasons,” said Carl Vallianatos, the Assistant Superintendent at MCHS. “To align with our largest feeder district 15… to add to our break for students and staff, and to eliminate the broken week in October.”

It not only creates a coherent schedule for the two districts, but also gives time for students to unwind and focus on themselves.

“I think we anticipate that this longer break will improve the wellbeing and emotional health for our students and decrease some anxiety and provide a much needed break from the rigors of the semester,” Vallianatos continued.

Max Newton, a senior here at MCHS is eagerly anticipating this extended break, and looking forward to a week of relaxation and having fun with friends and family. 

“It is a good opportunity to focus on your family and not have to worry about schoolwork,” says Newton.

Ella Boland, also a senior here at MCHS, speaks for students as the week-long break is a reward for how far students have come this semester. Students should use this break as a reset before the home stretch to finals in December. 

“I think it is needed to get through this semester,” said Boland. “It is kind of like a reward for me getting through the first few months of school.”

If needed, the week off of school is a great time to catch up on missing assignments, or to get ahead on work.

“Students can also use the extra time to catch up with school work, complete projects, and spend time with family and friends or siblings home for the holidays,” said Vallianatos.

This is a time to either spend the break with family and friends, or spend it working. Take time to get some sleep and decompress before returning for the final month of the semester.