I never thought I’d complain about too many breaks, but I always find myself doing just that during the second semester of a Polish school year.

Basically, the beefy part of the Polish school calendar ends with Christmas break. Because the two-week Christmas break does not coincide with the completion of the semester, it marks the beginning of the on-again, off-again season of the school year.

This is how it’s playing out this year:

• After three weeks back at school after Christmas break, the semester ended and the students got a much deserved two week break.
• At the end of the first week back, seniors got two days off to go to CzÄ™stochowa to spend all night praying for their exit exams. (I wish I was making that up, but I’m not. More later.)
• This year, we get an entire week back at school for everyone after the senior prayer session before “rekolekcja” begins. After the first three lessons on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, students head to the church for something like a revival — an effort to get everyone spiritually prepared for Easter
• Which provides about another week off in late March.
• Three weeks back and it’s time for the matura — exit exams.
• After the matura, there are no seniors — not exactly the same as a break, but my hours this year will be cut almost in half.

Put all that together and it’s clear why the last day of school is 24 June.