While deciding breaks in the years 2015 to 2018, the calendar committee went through a long process, according to calendar committee chairperson Tom Harmas.

“We talked about the important areas we needed to study. First was the effect of (the) calendar on academics, the effect of the calendar on extracurriculars and the effect of the calendar on families. We also looked at the family and vacation time and the professional development on teachers and staff,” Harmas said.

He said the committee looked at different types of calendars and conducted surveys of parent and teacher groups. They researched how breaks affected student achievement in positive and negative ways.

In addition, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving break tended to have more absences than usual, according to Harmas.

He said, “The purpose was to figure out what was best for the students, families and the staff of Carmel Clay Schools when we went into the Calendar Committee. The idea wasn’t we need to change something because something’s wrong. But after we did all the surveys and research we felt that some changes were necessary.”

Sophomore Ryan Cole said he finds it difficult to find a time when his family can get together and that last year’s schedule contributed to difficulties in the past.

According to Cole, this new schedule will make it easier for him and  his family members to find time to spend together.

“On Thanksgiving break, me and a lot of other family members meet at my grandmother’s house. For me it’s only an hour drive, but a lot of people come on planes from different states. A lot of times I only get to see them at Thanksgiving and Christmas,” he said.

Harmas said, “I’ve always felt that our families have been rushed on just that Thursday off for Thanksgiving. I feel that it will allow people to breathe and cook and travel and do all those family things.”