Decrease Time Until Christmas Break

To the West Ada School District,

We, the students of Eagle High School, are writing to request an extra week of Christmas break, or alternatively, for the start date of the break to be moved from December 25 to December 18. We believe that this change would benefit our academic performance, mental health, and well-being.

The holiday season is a busy and demanding time for many students, especially during the winter months. Many of us are facing increased workloads, family pressures, extracurricular activities, and college applications. Some of us are also dealing with personal or family issues that affect our emotional stability and resilience. These factors can negatively affect our mental health and lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, and burnout⁷⁸.

Research shows that taking time off from school and work can have positive effects on our health, such as reducing stress, improving mood, enhancing creativity, and boosting motivation¹²⁴. Taking a vacation can also help us reconnect with ourselves and our important relationships, which can increase our sense of meaning and happiness¹². Additionally, taking a vacation can prevent us from getting sick, as chronic stress can weaken our immune system and make us more vulnerable to infections¹⁷.

We understand that the school district has a responsibility to ensure that we receive a quality education and meet the required standards. However, we also believe that our education should not come at the expense of our health and well-being. We are not asking for less work or less learning; we are asking for more time and flexibility to balance our academic and personal needs. We are confident that this change would not only benefit us as individuals, but also as a community of learners and citizens.

According to the State Report Card, Eagle High School has a graduation rate of **98.9%** and an average SAT score of **1210**⁸. These are impressive achievements that reflect the hard work and dedication of our students and teachers. However, these achievements also come with a lot of pressure and expectations that can take a toll on our mental and physical health. We believe that giving us an extra week of Christmas break, or moving the start date of the break to December 18, would allow us to recharge our batteries, refresh our minds, and return to school with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Therefore, we respectfully urge the West Ada School District to consider our request and grant us an extra week of Christmas break, or move the start date of the break to December 18. We appreciate your attention and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

The students of Eagle High School

[Sign here].

Source: Conversation with Bing, 12/4/2023

(1) Eagle High - West Ada School District. https://www.westada.org/EHS.

(2) About Eagle High School | Eagle High - West Ada School District. https://www.westada.org/o/ehs/page/about-eagle-high-school/.

(3) The Educational Benefits of Travel - Harvard Graduate School of Education. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/21/03/educational-benefits-travel.

(4) Is Traveling During College Important And Worth It - Stanford University. https://collegepuzzle.stanford.edu/is-traveling-during-college-important/.

(5) Top 10 Benefits Students Gain From Traveling - WorldStrides. https://worldstrides.com/blog/2013/12/top-10-benefits-students-gain-from-traveling/.

(6) Why School Trips Are Beneficial for Students – CAS Trips. https://www.castrips.org/why-school-trips-are-beneficial-for-students%EF%BF%BC/.

(7) Benefits of Studying During Summer Holidays - College Basics. https://www.collegebasics.com/blog/benefits-studying-during-summer-holiday/.

(8) . https://bing.com/search?q=Eagle+High+School+Idaho.

(9) Eagle High School - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_High_School.

(10) Eagle High School in Eagle, ID - Niche. https://www.niche.com/k12/eagle-high-school-eagle-id/.

(11) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_High_School.