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Weston's interim Superintendent John Reed sent this letter to Weston parents Thursday after the school board voted to cut three days from February vacation. Read that story here.
I want to thank the hundreds of people who emailed me to express their ideas about how to make up school days due to the recent snow days. I read each one thoroughly and gave the Board of Education a general synopsis of the comments that were made.
At last night's meeting of the Board of Education, the board did vote to have school on Feb. 23, 24 and 25. Assuming there are no school closings between now and Feb. 25, the last day of school would be June 21. If other make up days are necessary, they will be accommodated in the following order: June 22 and 23, and then April 18, 19, 20 and 21.
As one parent stated at last evening's board meeting: By using days from three possible months, we are trying to minimize the impact on families who may be traveling in February or April or wish that school not extend too late into June. We want families to enjoy vacations that are planned for February or April and know that we will support their children in a very positive manner.
Student absences will be considered excused absences. The Weston professional staff will work diligently to provide assignments to those students who have travel plans during this February time period. Written assignments can be handed in up to Thursday, March 3. This is being done because some vacations may be very active ones and may not leave enough time to complete the assignments during the vacation. My expectation is that teachers will help students with any "new learning" which has occurred during these three days when the students return.
It is important to understand that this action was taken in light of our understanding that Connecticut will not modify the requirement of 180 days of school or permit time to be added to the school day to make up days. Also, schools may not open on weekends to make up school days.
No one is pleased that we have to take steps to plan for more snow makeup days, and I think each of us understands that this winter has been an unusual one. We don't know what the weather conditions will be for the remainder of winter and early spring. Our intention is to approach this situation in a positive and constructive manner, and we hope we have your support in this effort.
What do you think about cutting three days out of February vacation? Is there a better way to handle snow days? Would you prefer the division built-in its snow days like other school districts? Tell us your thoughts in the comment box below.
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