Students in the Halifax Regional School Board will have two weeks off in February 2011 because of the Canada Winter Games, set for Feb. 11-27.

The Nova Scotia government announced Wednesday that the week-long spring break, usually in March, will move to February and be extended by a week.

All schools in the Halifax Regional School Board and the metro-area schools of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial will close Feb. 14-25.

Provincial officials said the practice follows what previous host provinces and territories have done to accommodate the Games. The Yukon hosted in 2007, New Brunswick and 2003 and Newfoundland and Labrador in 1999.

The Halifax Canada Games Society will use two Halifax schools — Citadel High School and Sackville High School — as venues and rely on more than 1,000 student volunteers who will act as minor officials throughout the event.

The 2010-2011 school year will start early and end late to ensure students do not lose class time.

The year will run from Sept. 1 to June 30, Christmas break will be shortened and one teacher professional development day is to be rescheduled.