Sherwood Elementary students getting longer spring break ahead of new school opening

Students at Sherwood Elementary School in Charlottetown were already expecting an extra three weeks of summer vacation. Now, they'll have an extra three days of March Break, too. 

The longer-than-expected spring break comes as the new elementary school prepares to open its doors in March after more than two years of construction. 

Those three extra days off for students — one at the beginning of the break and two at the end — will provide time for staff to move everything from the old building into the new one before students return to school. 

While parents were informed in September that the summer break would be extended in order to allow enough time for the demolition of the old building, the news about the extra March closures is new. 

That's because the new school's opening date was a moving target, said Rob Lantz, P.E.I.'s minister of education and early years. 

"Building a school is a big undertaking, and things don't always progress on time," Lantz said. 

He said that the timing of March Break, when many families are already planning for vacations and time off, is "a fairly ideal time for this transition to take place." 

"I think we've given them pretty good advance notice, and we're providing financial supports to offset any costs families might incur." 

Families can apply for funding of up to $30 per day, per child, to support care fees during the extended school closure dates. 

But even with that financial support, some parents are concerned about child care. 

"I'm excited for the new space, but at the same time I'm a little hesitant. I don't know where my child is going to go to child care," said Amanda Fortin, the parent of a student at Sherwood Elementary. 

"I've called a few places and so far I can't find any one that is running during those days." 

Bethany Robinson, a parent of three students and an executive committee member with the Sherwood Home and School Association, said she's also trying to prepare for the school closures. 

Robinson works part time, so she's home for her kids after school. But when the closures happen, she'll need care for her children on the days she's working.