With just 15 months before the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics, Vancouver students still don't know if they will have to attend classes during the games.
Parents and teachers are pushing the Vancouver School Board to keep children in the classroom.
"We felt, particularly with our inner-city schools, that those schools need to stay open even if the March break were moved to February," says Glen Hansman of the Vancouver Elementary School Teachers' Association.
"Instead, it would still mean seven additional days where kids didn't have anywhere to go."
Parents say there are fewer childcare alternatives in the winter.
"During that particular two week period I think the problem will be compounded because there will be many parents who are prevented from taking time off work themselves at that time," says Gwen Giesbrecht of the District Parent Advisory Council.
A Vancouver school calendar committee has been exploring options for 2010 transportation and security plans, but it can't wait much longer.
"Given the information we have, if we had to make a decision today we would recommend to the board of trustees that the schools stay open," says Vancouver School Board's Associate Superintendent Gary Little.
The Vancouver School Board is expected to decide whether classes will be in or not during the Olympics by the end of the year. Other school districts have already finalized their plans.
West Vancouver, which is hosting ski events at Cypress Mountain, is moving its traditional two-week spring break from March to February in 2010. Students will begin the school year the week before Labour Day.
There's a similar proposal in B.C.'s Sea-to-Sky corridor. But in all likelihood, Vancouver schools will be open during the Olympic and Paralympic games.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Mike Killeen
