Jackson, NJ – Each year, schools shut down as teachers and administrators head to Atlantic City for the annual NJEA convention.     This year’s convention will be held on November 5th and 6th, but the Board of Education has declared the entire week as NJEA Convention and granted faculty and students the entire week off, creating a “Fall Break” of sorts.

While this newly adopted fall break is welcomed by both teachers and students, it creates hardships on families where both parents work, causing them to miss work or make undesirable arrangements for their children.   It’s also just one more misleading action by our Board of Education.     The convention is only two days, however the entire week in the district calendar is extremely misleading as it declares the entire week as NJEA Convention, while the actual convention is only Thursday and Friday.   Tuesday is election day, but historically the schools have not closed on election day.  Last year teachers were only granted two days off to attend the two day event.  (see the Jackson Schools Calendar)  (see the Atlantic City Convention Center Calendar)

Another problem with this newly approved schedule is that school in 2010 is currently scheduled to close on June 22nd.  If last year’s snowfall in Jackson is any indicator to what’s in store in 2010, we can expect the school year to run into the last week of June.  

The district should be truthful to parents and not try to mislead parents into thinking the NJEA Convention is the entire week. 

Do you think that Jackson Schools should be closed the entire week for a two day event?   Do you like the idea of a fall break in K-12 education?   How will this week long vacation impact you and your family?