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WESTON, Conn. Parents who look forward to hitting the slopes with their kids in February should know that the Board of Education has pared down next year's winter break to a long weekend.
While the board considered a full-week recess for February, providing five snow days in June, it ultimately wanted to ensure more of a safety net for school cancellations and voted for a long weekend in February, providing nine snow days in June, Superintendent of Schools Colleen Palmer said Monday in her blog.
Palmer said she understands the strong sentiment she has received from parents who like to do winter activities with their children in February. As a passionate skier myself, I do understand the ski season and how limited it is and what its like when there are great snow conditions, Palmer said.
The decision to eliminate the February break was made to try to weather-proof the school calendar and as a way to free up school days in anticipation of weather-related cancelations or delays, Palmer said.
According to the new 2012-13 school calendar adopted by the Board of Education, students in 2013 will have a half-day Friday, Feb. 15, and no school Monday, Feb. 18, and Tuesday, Feb. 19. They will return to school Wednesday, Feb. 20.
This years February vacation is still intact, even if Weston gets bombarded with snow over the next two months. This district has already missed nine days of school due to Tropical Storm Irene and the Oct. 29 snowstorm that canceled classes for an entire week. If there are any snow days, Palmer said, the district will start taking away days from the April vacation. Everyone has been put on notice about taking these days away. We hope we dont have to, but it is a possibility, Palmer said.
The Board of Education also approved making Aug. 27, 2012, the first day of school for next year and June 7, 2013, the last day.
What do you think about the school board's decision to change the 2013 February break? Take our poll and share your thoughts below.
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