In recent years, many schools have debated whether to keep or eliminate three-quarters days when students are released earlier than usual. Some argue that these shortened days take away from valuable learning time, while others see the value for students.

On a 3/4ths day students’ classes are each 40 minutes. The day ends around 12:30 p.m., giving students more than enough time to catch up on homework or to just hang out after school. Having it once a month is refreshing as a student in high school, I look forward to it each time.

Some may say that it is taking away from their students’ learning day. But in reality, it takes 15 minutes from each class and typically allows teachers enough time to make it through most of the lesson they would have planned. I believe that keeping the 3/4ths day is a good way for students to look forward to something in the new month ahead.

When students have a break from their usual schedule, they usually return rejuvenated and ready to learn. It’s a fresh reset. As for teachers, this program allows them to work with peers during the regular work day, keeping them from having to add even more time to their schedule after hours.

As Junior Jordyn Stislicki says, “Early release days let me take the time to really catch up with stuff. I also nap a lot on those days, but it’s very helpful.”

Taking that extra hour and a thirty-minute nap is good for many who are stressed. It a good mental health reset. As many students stay up later to get work done, and as teenagers, we scroll for hours before bed, leaving many students severely deprived of sleep.

You have probably heard many call these days professional development days. This is also in place for the school to manage a more balanced calendar that can allow professional development without extending the school year.

At the end of an early release day, when all the kids go home, the teachers also have to attend training sessions and workshops that focus on improving instruction. All teachers need at least 30 days of this. Keeping early release days isn’t just about giving everyone time off, it’s about creating a healthier balance between learning and well-being. In past years, they would do half days, these would occur four times a year instead of eight. It was also very hard for teachers to get through much with only 25 minutes for their class.

At the end of the day, schools should see the 3/4th days as an investment for both students and teachers.

Coming up on  Dec. 9th, we have our monthly early release, as students are very much looking forward to that time off.