STAMFORD, Conn. The summer just got a little bit longer for students in Stamford Public Schools. They do not have to report to the first day of classes until Tuesday, Sept. 6.
The school system pushed the start date back from Thursday, Sept. 1, because several schools are still without power from Tropical Storm Irene.
As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, only 14 of the citys public schools had full power, and two or three were expected to have it back later Tuesday, Acting Superintendent Winifred Hamilton said after speaking with Connecticut Light & Power. We want to be ready to start, Hamilton said.
If power is returned to the schools Wednesday, teachers will show up Thursday for a professional development day and orientation for prekindergarten, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade students Friday, she said. Those events were originally scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Hamilton said that in addition to not having power, the schools must go through a series of other checks before opening to staff and students. The bus drivers will also do test drives before the first day to make sure there are no obstructions for the children or the buses on the routes.
The state requires a minimum of a 180-day school year for students. Stamford schools originally planned for 181 days, Hamilton said. A teachers school year has to be 186 days. Makeup days have yet to be scheduled, she said.
Although Hamilton said she regretted having to push the start of school back. But the safety and proper conditions for children were her primary concerns.
What do you think of the schools pushing back the first day? Share your thoughts below or send them to reporter Anthony Buzzeo, [email protected].
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