The 2004-05 Shelby County school calendar now includes a fall break. Next week, in fact, Oct. 11-15, teachers and students will get a week off and that’s a good thing.

Federal and state mandates on schools which are forcing them to achieve higher and higher standards have also forced the lengthening of the traditional school year.

In the past, students and teachers were treated to a full three month vacation in the summer. Now, that is no longer the case.

School begins for students Aug. 12. But teachers start gearing up with new teacher orientation as early as Aug. 3. The school year ends on May 30.

Other than Labor Day, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, without the fall break now instituted by Shelby County Schools, students would be in school nearly four months before the Christmas (Winter Holidays).

This additional break gives students and teachers a chance to rejuvenate themselves and come back to school with their creative juices flowing and ready to go. And while students are out of school, the break gives maintenance a chance to catch up on needed repairs.

The Shelby County Board of Education should be applauded for taking this long-needed action