Should Half Days Stay at PACA?

Caption: Freshman Aline Dobashi studies the half day schedule coming up for the final exam days. [by Valentina Porto]

by Rafael Oliveira

Half days at PACA have always been one of my favorite things about the school calendar. I still remember one half day last semester when my friends and I rushed out of our shortened last class and went straight to the cafeteria to hang out before going home. 

That day, our schedule was the kind where every class was shortened to about 20 minutes. Even though the classes were quick, it felt exciting because everyone knew we were getting a break after a long week. My friends and I used the extra free time to relax, finish some homework, and even play soccer together later that afternoon. Moments like that make half days feel special—not just because we leave early, but because they give us time to breathe.

Whichever type of half day PACA uses—shortened classes or removing a few periods—they give students and teachers a break from the long school routine. Half days let people rest, catch up on assignments, or spend time with family.

However, some argue that they take away from learning time or make it harder for teachers to finish their lessons. This raises an important question: Are half days really worth keeping?

Schools in other countries have also talked about this. For example, a student newspaper from Wootton High School in the United States wrote about how half days can improve students’ mental health by lowering stress and giving them time to reset. 

Another article about shorter school days explained that shorter schedules can help students stay more focused and even improve attendance when they return the next day. These points show that half days might have more benefits than people think.

Many people at PACA see both advantages and disadvantages. For students, half days can reduce stress—especially during busy weeks with tests or projects. A shorter school day can actually help students come back more focused and motivated. Teachers can also use the extra time for grading, planning, or meetings, which helps them teach better the next day.

But there are challenges too. Some families struggle with transportation or scheduling on half days. Teachers sometimes find it difficult to adjust lesson plans to very short periods. And some believe that too many half days can break the rhythm of learning.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that there are studies showing the benefits of longer school days for students who need extra academic help. Longer days can give struggling students more time for tutoring, clearer instruction, and support from teachers. So while half days are helpful, schools must also think about students who learn better with more time in class.

In my opinion, half days should stay at PACA, but they should be used wisely. When they are occasional, they give everyone the rest they need without interrupting learning too much. The best choice might be to keep half days but limit how often they happen. That way, students and teachers get a break, but we still keep enough full days to stay on track with lessons and support all kinds of learners.

In my opinion, half days bring balance, relieve stress, and give the school community time to recharge—and when used carefully, they can help PACA stay both healthy and productive.