The Port Washington Board of Education voted Tuesday night to cancel part of February break to make up the classroom time lost to Hurricane Sandy.
As a result, Port Washington Public Schools will be open Tuesday, Feb. 19, Wednesday, Feb. 20 and Thursday, Feb. 21. The move enables the district to meet New York State’s 180-day minimum requirement, and have a day to spare should there be the need for an additional school closing due to bad winter weather. It also comes at a time when districts across Long Island cut back on vacation days in order to make up missed instructional time.
In explaining her recommendation prior to the board’s vote, Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Mooney said “instruction is the driver. These are instruction days, and we expect them to be meaningful.”
There was no indication that New York’s State Education Department or legislature would waive that 180-day requirement, she added. If it does grant a waiver, “I would be happy to restore the days,” she said.
But, she noted, “The biggest issue is to make up instruction time sooner rather than later.”
Still, both Mooney and school board members said they understood that canceling part of the break may cause financial loss and loss of family time for those in the district who had planned time away and cannot get their trips refunded. Those students who miss class would not be penalized, Mooney said, adding that makeup assignments could be worked out between students and teachers.
The district is restricted as to which days it could chose as makeup days, given that certain holidays – among them Veterans Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day – are “off limits,” Mooney said. In addition, the district must meet certain contractual obligations. Presidents Week offers the district the flexibility it needed, and falls well in advance of AP exams so that students could receive critical instruction, she said.
Still, during community comments, resident Andrea Major asked how many teachers might be absent, and therefore leaving the students with substitutes who might show videos in class on those days.
Mooney said she had asked the staff to state by Nov. 30 whether they have nonrefundable tickets. Parents can check with building principals after Nov. 30, she said.
Other considerations included switching to a four-day weekend, rather than two three-day weekends during February.
Ultimately, though, the board approved opening school Feb. 19-21. The vote was 5-0, with William Hohauser and Vernon McDermott not in attendance.
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Make no mistake, teachers as well as students will be out those days Good luck finding a substitute as just about every district has cancelled vacation for that week and they will be in high demand
Having school in session is not exempted from any penalties I am not eating the cost to send my kids to school for three days of watching movies
Per "Stacey Peltz 9:59 am on Friday, November 30, 2012 It looks like airlines, etc. are refunding or crediting people for February plans. It never hurts to ask."
I was told no by three different people
FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to the rescheduling of midwinter breaks for many New York-area schools, American Airlines announces that more travel options will be available to those forced to change their midwinter travel plans due to Hurricane Sandy. American customers will be given the option to make voluntary itinerary changes in the event they must reschedule midwinter school break plans, originally scheduled for February. For detailed information on the changes, American encourages customers to visit AA.com/travelalerts. Overview of Changes Customers whose tickets were issued on or before Nov. 29 and are ticketed for travel Feb. 15, 2013 through Feb. 24, 2013 on American Airlines flights from the airports listed below may change flights without penalty and may have the ticket-reissue charge waived for one ticket change: New York Kennedy (JFK) New York LaGuardia (LGA) Newark, N.J. (EWR) White Plains, N.Y. (HPN) American will waive the change charge if the new travel originates within one year of original ticket issue date and that travel is rebooked and the ticket is reissued on or before Dec. 31, 2012. ... Source: American Airlines http://aa.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=3603
Theses will be real instructional days. When the district says that students will not be penalized it means that the absences will be 'excused' like when a student is ill. They are still responsible for work but can get the assignments in advance and work out arrangements with the teachers. The vast majority of staff will be there. The district is working to insure that there will be no major interruptions. If you are in town your children should not stay home expecting a wasted day. The storm caused us to lose valuable time. It is not a matter of how many days the State requires us to have. it is a matter of educationally preparing our children for the future. When our children are 'assessed' they will be competing against students who did not suffer disruptions. It is up to the district to provide the resources. it is up to the individual families to determine what is in the best interest of their children. The students all have differing needs and abilities. the same answer is never right for everyone.