Friends Henry Benton, left, and Peter Bigano, both 8, work to create a video game with West School teacher Stefanie Sommerville at the New Canaan Library. The boys are enjoying the annual New Canaan Schools winter break.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

Molly Festo, 17, a junior at New Canaan High School, gives a thumbs up to winter break and waking up later than usual.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

Silbings Jack and Sarah Murphy rent movies from the New Canaan Library on Wednesday. The kids are enjoying a winter break from school and watching plenty of flicks.

Photo Credit: Melvin Mason

NEW CANAAN, Conn. – Molly Festo is enjoying the chance to sleep in for a few days.

Rather than get up early to trudge to New Canaan High School, the 17-year-old smiles when she thinks about getting out of bed on her own time and not having to worry so much about school after she does get up.  

“It’s much needed. Sometimes, you need a break from school,” Festo, 17, said as she waited for a friend at the New Canaan Library.  

New Canaan Public Schools are on the annual winter break, giving students and their parents a chance to step away from their daily routines. Although some families used the week-plus off to go out of town, others decided to stick around and enjoy the free time.

“It’s a nice break for us,” said Festo, a junior at New Canaan High. “It allows us to relax and meet up with our friends in town.” She has also helped her grandparents with tasks around their homes.

The time off can be a challenge for parents, who have to find things for their children to do until next Tuesday when classes resume. Jayne Benton and her sons Bradford, 3, and Henry, 8, returned to New Canaan on Wednesday after a brief trip to the Poconos. Benton planned to take her boys to the Museum of Natural History in New York City, to the New Canaan YMCA or just outside to play.

“I love it,” Benton said as she watched Bradford comb the children’s area for books on trains. “We have something to do every day,” she said. “We have it planned out nicely.”

Henry also spent time with his best friend and West School classmate Peter Bigano, 8, on designing a video game for a districtwide technology fair. “Me and (Henry) don’t really like school,” Peter said.

Siblings Sarah and Jack Murphy said it’s cool to be out of school for a while to play hockey and to see a Bridgeport Sound Tigers hockey game. “It’s pretty fun,” said Sarah, 11, who goes to Saxe Middle School.  

They’ve also watched movies from the New Canaan Library. Wednesday’s selections included "The Blind Side." Their long break will wrap up this weekend with a trip to Boston to visit their grandparents.