Doomer, the translation of каникулы as "recess" is totally correct in some contexts -- for example, if you're talking about government calendars, and sometimes also in higher education. For example, "it may turn out that the bill will not be passed before Congress starts its summer recess".

But in the context of elementary-school education, "recess" means "a break for rest and play between lessons, usually in the middle of the day, typically 20-40 minutes".