Image: OÖN
Homework, tests, exams – the school finals before the semester break were stressful for many of the 195,000 students in the country. The children and young people should therefore use the coming week to regenerate, advises Katharina Spitzbart, school psychologist at the Education Directorate in Upper Austria. “Now let the children go on a mental holiday for a week,” she says, addressing the parents who shouldn’t stick their heads in the sand if things aren’t going well for their offspring. “Do an error analysis, see what you have to work on with your child in the next semester, and then really switch off, don’t talk to the school at all.” The holidays are there to recharge your batteries.
“Energy” – that was also the reason why the semester break in 1974 – by the way as “energy holidays” – were introduced. However, not to fill up on energy, but to save it. Because even then, the Austrians were dealing with an energy crisis: the oil crisis. Schools were once heated with oil, but due to the global crises the price of oil had risen massively and savings had to be made. So also in the schools. So that they only had to be heated moderately for at least a week, the “energy holidays” were introduced. The effect was manageable.
On the other hand, the effect on tourism in the winter ski areas was unmistakable – where, of course, people drove with their cars with full tanks. Just like today. Thousands of Upper Austrians have already waxed their skis and loaded them into the car, hoping for sunny weather.
- OÖN TV: What passers-by plan during the semester break
Windy, wet, then warm
Speaking of the weather: the prospects for the holiday week in Upper Austria are anything but wintry. With minimum temperatures of four degrees, it will only snow from 1700 meters next week, “unfortunately it will be wet below that,” says GeoSphere meteorologist Josef Haslhofer. However, the weather at the beginning of the holiday season is not dominated by the rain, but by the wind. Peaks of up to 70 km/h can cause the trees to sway. Haslhofer expects “rather uncomfortable” conditions not only in the mountains, but also in the flatlands, at least on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
The perfect weather to read. A tip from the school psychologist is: “If you want to learn with your children, then do it in a playful way.” The weather is therefore ideal for counteracting reading difficulties.
Mardi Gras and Fasting
Today and until Tuesday there are children’s carnival festivals and carnival balls everywhere. The Linz-based styling expert Martina Rieder-Thurn makes the plea to visit in costume: “Make-up and costumes bring color to life. Have the courage to try something! Creative combinations are also welcome.” However, the expert warns, children should not be compulsively persuaded by their parents to dress up.
Good to know: After Shrove Tuesday comes Ash Wednesday, the start of the 40-day Lent period. Incidentally, Ash Wednesday is based on Easter Sunday (this year on April 9th). Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first spring full moon of the year. 40 days before that is Ash Wednesday, 50 days after that is Pentecost – the word “Pentecost” deriving from the Greek word for 50.
2+1 free
Keyword carnival! Until the end of February, OÖNcard holders will receive a third donut free of charge in all Resch&Frisch branches when they buy two apricot donuts!
Source: Nachrichten
