Halifax to Disney Feb 14 to Feb 25, 2011 ... No School!

Ted in Halifax

Over a 2,000 mile drive from Disney!
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Jul 30, 2008
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Schools in Halifax Regional Municipality will close for two weeks in February 2011 in support of the Halifax 2011 Canada Winter Games.

The province, today, Nov. 25, announced changes to the 2010-11 public school calendar that will have the spring break move to February, followed by a one week Canada Games break for students and staff in Halifax Regional School Board and the metro-area schools of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP).

Schools will close from Feb. 14 to Feb. 25, inclusive.

Moving the spring break to February and closing schools for an additional week follows the practice for previous winter games. The last three provinces and territories to host the games -- New Brunswick in 2003, Yukon in 2007 and Newfoundland and Labrador in 1999 -- moved March break and closed schools in the host region to accommodate the games.

The Halifax Canada Games Society will use two Halifax schools as venues -- Citadel High and Sackville High -- and relying on volunteer support from more than 1,000 students, who will act as minor officials throughout the Games.

"This move demonstrates continued support for the Canada Games," said Chris Morrissey, Games CEO. "Through activities such as our torch relay and mascot program, we'll touch communities across the province. This school calendar change will allow many students to really have an impact on the Games."

To ensure students in HRM do not lose valuable class time, the school year will start early and end late in 2010-11, running from Sept. 1 to June 30. Christmas break will also be shortened, and one teacher professional development day rescheduled.

Students and staff outside HRM will share the same Sept. 1-June 30 calendar, but will enjoy the traditional March Break, as well as a longer Christmas holiday to compensate for the longer school year. Schools outside metro will remain open as usual through February 2011.

Keeping the major adjustments in the school calendar confined to HRM schools minimizes disruption to students and staff elsewhere in the province, while ensuring Games organizers have access to the student volunteer support and school facilities they need to host a successful event.

It will be the first time in 24 years that the province has hosted a Canada Games. Cape Breton was home to the Winter Games in 1987.

The 2011 Canada Winter Games will be the largest multi-sport event in Halifax's history and the city's first Canada Winter Games. More than 2,700 athletes will compete in over 20 sports, attracting thousands of visitors, VIPs, officials and media.

Beyond the impact on the sporting community, the Games are expected to create about $80 million in economic spinoffs for the local economy.

Volunteers can apply online for Games-time roles starting the end of January 2010. Volunteers must be age 14 and older, to volunteer.

Youth volunteers between the ages of 14 and 18 will require a parent or guardian's consent to volunteer.

More information on volunteering and minor officials can be found at www.canadagames2011.ca/volunteer .

Key dates for the 2010-11 School Calendar will follow this release.

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Wow....

I remember the schools were closed here in PEI during the Canada games once. But that was when the Games were here in PEI. Can't imagine many parents liking that idea. Some parents were annoyed at our schools for considering adding another PD day.
 
Excellent, I've been waiting to hear this announcement for quite some time.

Unfortunately, we will not be going to Disney during that time. As much as I LOVE going to Disney (I could go multiple times a year), we are looking at a Caribbean vacation instead. We've been to Disney quite a bit so we all thought it would be fun to do something different.

This is great news!

ETA: Ughhhh.... I just noticed it's for HRM only. Unfortunately, that excludes the schools 2 of my daughters go to, and I'm not sure if it includes MSVU or not, where my oldest daughter is studying. Looks like we may not be planning a family trip for that time after all.
 
We were anticipating this happening and had planned to go to Disney then but my girls decided to do a school trip to Europe for that time frame and my heart was broken because I wanted to go so badly to Disney. Anyway once they (the school board) cancelled exemptions in High School because of H1N1 we decided to go February 2010.

Well a few weeks after we booked for 2010 the girls changed their mind on Europe in February 2011 and chose a Paris trip in July of 2010.

So now I am FREE to go somewhere in February 2011 again!!! So now we're considering a 1 week Disney Cruise and a few days at Disney just because!!!!!

YAH!!!!
 

Once we heard the announcement it has us thinking about maybe going to WDW. We would probably stay offsite and maybe do 2 or 3 days at Disney.
We usually like to go in April so I'll have to get more info on the weather. It would be great to not have to take the kids out of school for a week.:thumbsup2

Kim
 
To Mom4463 we've been in February and the weather can be all over the map. We've found that most days were great, mid 70's but we've had a day or two around 40-45.

But the crowds are so low that you can get 10 rides done in 2 hours in a morning.

My overall feeling is that February is a great time to be at Disney.
 
We've been to WDW in February also. I have no issue with going back. Catch the first week in Value season!, then spend another week.
 
I was sooo glad to hear this announcement. We will purchase annual passes for this march break and will get three trips out of them!

March '10, August '10 and Feb '11. With a DVC discount that works out to $15/day pp. (in case you're wondering: 8d+10d+8d= 26days and approx. $400 for the DVC AP)

Still something to consider for those of you that might go for both breaks this coming year and next year.

AP regular rate= $520.79 adult pass
(assume 16 park days for both trips)
$32.54 per day, less if you use more days

8 day parkhopper pass= $307.79 (7 day is only $3 cheaper)
+ Feb'11 pass (will be more due to annual inc. but lets assume no inc.) $307.79
Total $615.58 over 16 days = $38.47 per day, more if you need more days.

So you could save $100 pp (roughly) by getting the AP for March break 2010 and using it for Feb break 2011. For those of you that like to pay for stuff in advance... this is extreme but might be worth consideration. Not to mention the room AP discount rates.

Now:rolleyes1 I have not taken into account any "extra" trips that might result from this method. ie. my August 2010 "well we will have APs so we might as well go" trip.;)

Use at your own risk:laughing:
 
hmmm ... if I buy AP's don't they give a 15 month use window? Or is it only 12 months?

Ted
 
hmmm ... if I buy AP's don't they give a 15 month use window? Or is it only 12 months?

Ted

12 months.

There is a promotion going on right now for AP renewals. Anyone who renews their AP before Aug, 31, 2010, will get 15 months use.
 
Wishful thinking I guess ... Just through if I bought AP's I could go this February and then next February too ...

The AP is a great idea...

Ted
 
We had been patiently waiting for this announcement...
very disppointed that the rest of the province isn't included. :sad
Sad that we can't take advantage of the time for trip to WDW, also sad that other families will not have the opportunity to enjoy the Canada games.
 
I was soooo hoping it would be the entire province. :sad2: Well, maybe it will expand as other boards start to look at those dates. Cross your fingers...an extended break in value season is a good thing!
 
I'm happy about the announcement because we usually go to Disney for 2 wks and my children would miss 1wk of school. This way, they don't miss any school!:cool1::cool1:


I was sooo glad to hear this announcement. We will purchase annual passes for this march break and will get three trips out of them!

March '10, August '10 and Feb '11. With a DVC discount that works out to $15/day pp. (in case you're wondering: 8d+10d+8d= 26days and approx. $400 for the DVC AP)

Wow, that is exactly what we do every year. :cool1: We will get about 40 days out of one AP!:thumbsup2:cool1:

With our current AP's, we will be getting 40 days for it as well...2wks in March, 2 wks in Aug, and then 2 wks in March again before I renew them!:banana:

I know I'm renewing them and the benefits doesn't seem as apparent, but if we decide not to renew them and visit Universal or other theme parks, then it would clearly make a difference.:upsidedow

12 months.

There is a promotion going on right now for AP renewals. Anyone who renews their AP before Aug, 31, 2010, will get 15 months use.

Yes, I'm glad about this promotion, because I'm hoping that they offer this promotion again for the following year. When I renew, I can actually get an AP that expires in Sept and that would mean, I would be able to get an extra vacation out of it if I decide not to renew for the year after.
 
Wow Dvcdisney, that's $10 per day! That's great!:thumbsup2

We have done the March, Aug, March thing for a couple of years. This year will be the first time we will do it with annual passes having been purchased in the spring. And because of the feb dates, it works out great. I then plan to purchase new APs in Aug 2011 and that will allow me to alter our Aug vacations to accommodate the AP dates. That's always easier.
 
Wow Dvcdisney, that's $10 per day! That's great!:thumbsup2

We have done the March, Aug, March thing for a couple of years. This year will be the first time we will do it with annual passes having been purchased in the spring. And because of the feb dates, it works out great. I then plan to purchase new APs in Aug 2011 and that will allow me to alter our Aug vacations to accommodate the AP dates. That's always easier.

I know what you mean. We need to be creative to get as much value. For instance, in a few years, we decided to go to Disneyland, so there will be a time that I won't be renewing our APs. It would be great if they offered the 15 mths for renewal the following year also. So, essentially, in a couple of years, my APs that I originally paid for in March a few years ago, will have an expiry of September! :cool1:Then I won't renew and just purchase new ones when we go back to WDW. It will save quite a bit!:thumbsup2
 















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