<p>I had a parent call our medical office and say her son is not going to school until next Wednesday and could she reschedule to another day.
She appreciated just being told that instead of a day to day update, it was easier to plan.
I think around the New Haven area, they will be off at least this week. </p>
<p>I saw great progress in some areas, bulldozers widening roads, but patience for some is thin and I see it in some driving maneuvers. I pray we have a little bit of a break before more significant snow falls.
I agree, the light winter last year, made this one harder and how much fell at once. It’s hard to imagine, but the “It’s so hot and humid” will be here before you know it. : )</p>
<p>Might be too late but I understand that roads are passable but there are long lines for taxis. The person you’re waiting for might have to walk out to the street instead of you pulling into that little driveway thingy.</p>
<p>In the past, I’ve had good luck waiting in the bus station lot in the back of the station if I can’t find a space on the street … assuming it’s been cleared.</p>
<p>My wife’s school is closed for the rest of the week and opens again next Wednesday. She went there today and the parking lot still hasn’t been plowed.</p>
<p>Wow. School closed for a total of 7 days! I’m assuming they are off next Monday for Presidents Day so I didn’t count that one. School parking lots seem to be the last thing to get plowed. I’ve actually heard of principals getting out there and shoveling their school sidewalks.</p>
<p>the_mom –</p>
<p>I know you must be overjoyed. Did you stay in your house the whole time the power was out? Or did you end up going somewhere else? I heard on the news that some homes without power had indoor temperatures in the 30’s.</p>
<p>The nice thing about the thawing is it reveals all the little gifts people have left behind: bags of dog poop neatly tied up and left under mailboxes, under bushes, etc. It’s a sidewalk full of presents.</p>
<p>I have to say that I’m surprised that it is taking so long for many places to get back to normal. I could understand it if it was areas that don’t usually get snow, but New England?</p>
<p>People would actually do that? If they did not have the intention of disposing in a trash can why bag it in plastic at all. Perhaps it’s that kind of plastic that is biodegradable?</p>
<p>Big ruckus in New Haven. On Tuesday, the Superintendent of Schools said that despite no school this week, next week’s February break will go through. Then, the next day, without warning, or consultation, he cancelled February break. Many people had made plans for this break, non-refundable reservations, medical appointments, kids working extra hours on their jobs, attending locally organized athletic programs , enrichment programs, and camps. One of the stated reasons–the educational interests of the children–will not be served since many children and teachers with plans will not attend anyway. Uncertified para-professionals will be subbing in many classes. </p>
<p>^ Oh, for real? What do they expect when they lose that much time???</p>
<p>In New Jersey, we have had, for many decades, two days off in November for teacher convention (nevermind whether that makes sense or not.) After the hurricane, the convention was cancelled and pretty much every district in the state held classes for those two days. My husband, a HS teacher, had advocated for that. Need to keep our priorities straight.</p>
<p>Those New Haven kids missed school for Hurricane Sandy also, I think. Like I said, CT school law mandates that the school year ends by June 30. No make up days can be Saturdays. If New Haven started after
Labor day, they are pushing that June 30 deadline by now. The administration did the right thing…winter isn’t over yet, and what happens if they have more bad weather cancelations?</p>
<p>I can I understand parents and teachers being upset since this was announced just one week before a scheduled week off. Parents and trachers will have to decide whether to take their vacation they had already planned or cancel it. In our county, teachers must get permission from the principal to take any vacation during the school year. In this scenario, the principal may not give teachers permission to take the week off. I don’t know what the consequences would be to the teachers.</p>
<p>Has there been any mention if they will also cancel their week off in April?</p>
<p>Is it customary for many school districts to get a winter and spring break? We only get spring break.</p>
<p>In New England, there is a break around Presidents Day. In many districts, this used to be a week but is now a day or two. Then there is another break in April sometime.</p>
<p>Re: the April vacation, my guess is the February break was eliminated in case there are additional weather closures between now and April. If there are additional snow days, the district could make the decision to reduce the april break. The school calendar is NOT a subject of collective bargaining unless the number of days change. Teachers should know that the BOE has the right to adjust the school calendar as they see necessary.</p>
<p>All schools are closed Monday in CT for presidents day.</p>
<p>I think all of MA public schools have a week-long break starting on President’s Day, and then another week-long break starting on Patriots Day (3rd Monday in April).</p>
<p>Most towns can add at least 6-8 days at the end of the school year before bumping up against the June 30 deadline, although I think there is also a 185-day contract limitation in some towns that may require taking days from the April break if there are more than 5 cancellations by then.</p>
<p>Between Sandy and the blizzard, some towns are pushing the limit already.</p>
<p>As a parent I hated having two week-long breaks, it seems unnecessary. I would have much preferred one week in March and the kids get out a week earlier.</p>
<p>When my D attended a private school for middle school, they had only a two week break in March, and it was a much better system. Everyone knows that with each break the kids lose ground, and that last day before the break is usually a total waste of time. </p>
<p>As for those in New Haven grousing about the cancellation of the February break, perhaps they should just thank their lucky stars that this year’s weather only destroyed their vacations, not their homes and livelihoods. Non refundable deposits? First of all, after Sandy, and with typical winter weather ahead, that was not the wisest decision. Second–that’s why they sell trip insurance.</p>