News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2006
Contact: Frank X. O'Gara
Educational Communications Officer
Voice: (703) 588-3260
Email: Frank.OGara@hq.dodea.edu

DoDEA Schools Adjust Dates for 2006 Winter Holiday Break

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA—The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) will adjust the winter holiday break schedule to begin at the close of school on December 20, 2006 and end on January 7, 2007. This adjustment will allow students and families two additional days at the beginning of the holiday break which was originally scheduled to begin at the close of school on December 22.

The change in the winter holiday break schedule will affect Department of Defense Schools (DoDDS) in Europe and the Pacific. This change will not affect the Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS).

DoDEA made the decision to change winter holiday break for its schools in Europe and the Pacific as a result of discussions and coordination with commanders and an overarching concern to accommodate military families traveling abroad for the holidays and maximize the time students spend with their families.

"In light of the unique challenges military families living overseas face during the holidays it is important that we consider their unique circumstances in scheduling school winter holiday breaks," said Dr. Joseph D. Tafoya, Director, DoDEA. "We revisited our initial analysis of the impact changing the winter break schedule and we approved the rescheduling of the DoDEA winter holiday to begin for students in DoDDS-Europe and DoDDS-Pacific at the close of school on December 20. Teachers will continue to work on December 21 and 22."

Schools will accommodate students and families wishing to begin their winter holiday vacation plans earlier than December 20 by providing the coursework to be completed for the days students are excused from school. Parents should coordinate these requests for additional family leave with school officials well in advance of the planned leave.

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