It’s that time of year again! The clock just struck 2:50 on Friday. Students pour out of school, on their way to a glorious 2-week break, free from school and all of its worries. Winter break is a time to celebrate the holidays, spend time with loved ones, and welcome the new year. But everyone reading this knows that already. Have you ever wondered what your favorite teachers do during the break? We were able to get them to tell us what amazing things they have planned.
Photo Courtesy of ECFS
Mr. Howard will be going to Milan with his wife, driving up to a house he owns in the mountains by the Swiss border. He bought the house in 1983, and loves to go hiking and mountain climbing in the area, a town called Riva Valdobbia, about 2 hours northwest of Milan. He’ll be staying there for the full 2 weeks, potentially going to the local mass on Christmas Eve. Of course, he will also be sipping some nice wine outside, feasting on Italian Christmas cake, meeting some old friends, enjoying the snow, and reading. He may also see his Brother-in-Law, who lives with his wife in Pisa.
Mr. Montera’s holiday plans involve spending a lot of time with his parents in Queens and his wife’s parents in Connecticut, or, as he put it, “bowing down to the gods.” They’ll be sleeping late, eating tasty meals, and enjoying time with friends they normally can’t see while school is in session. He’ll also be catching up with other Fieldston alumni. Though he claims his plans are “low-key,” we know that nothing is low-key when you’re having a good time with your friends and family!
Ms. Bass will be spending most of her time with her two grown daughters who are visiting from college and graduate school. Unfortunately, her husband only has one day off the entire break (not counting the holidays). She will also spend a lot of time seeing movies and going to the theater. Not to mention, catching up on much needed sleep. Remember, our teachers need rest too, and the break is also a time for them to rest.
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Ms. Montanez, or “Z,” will be having her family over for the first week, which is about 15 people. For the second week, she will be going upstate, to Cooperstown NY, home of the baseball hall of fame, to visit her brother and to see his new baby. Family is an important thing.
Ms. Stoller describes her plans as “Family, friends, presents, a New Year’s eve party — That’s my vacation.” She and her family will be celebrating Christmas in German fashion. We’re talking a tree with REAL candles, not electric christmas lights, and for Christmas dinner, roast goose with red cabbage. Sure, there are papers to correct, but she will have time for tons of fun as well!
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Ms. Birt claims her plans “don’t warrant mentioning in the news.” Well, she was wrong, because you are reading them, right here, in the news. Her mother recently turned 91, and the two will be spending lots of their time together. Of course, you don’t need big plans to have a big, fun, meaningful time.
Dr. Church celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas, and plans to spend most of the break in the City with his in-laws and nieces. Then he’ll be heading to Pittsburgh to visit his side of his family, including his 5 siblings, their spouses, children, and 2 grand nephews. Of course, the usual Christmas tree and Menorah will be present, as will their annual viewing of The Elf and The Grinch. Such classics.
Mr. Anhalt will be staying local. He got a new puppy this November, and plans to train her. He might be returning to campus briefly to help the swim team with some winter break workouts. Of course, he’ll be relaxing and catching up on sleep, not to mention meeting up with friends still in the area.
Ms. Fischoff is going to Quebec for a week with her husband, a sort of makeshift honeymoon since the two never officially had one this summer. According to her, Quebec has a great Christmas market, and it gets very “wintery” there. She also plans to ride an ice slide, and hopes to fall. She’s not kidding: “I hope I fall on an ice slide, you can quote me on that.” She’ll return to New York for the new year, and watch some fireworks by her house.
Photo Courtesy of ECFS
Mr. Cullen will be enjoying his holidays with both family time and travel. In his case, the travel will be to Cambridge, Massachusetts. It’s also an important time for him to work on his writing. He has a book manuscript to turn in by the new year, and another which he hopes to send to his publisher soon. Let’s wish him good luck!
Coach Sousa plans to start his vacation relaxing in his Westchester apartment, then later going out to Long Island to spend Christmas Eve with his fiancé and her family. Then, for Christmas day, he’ll be driving up to Vermont to spend time with his family in the new log cabin he bought in September. He’ll also be doing some skiing and snowboarding while up there.
