No More Spoons under Pillows!

“Oh the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful, And since we've no place to go, Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”

It's a catchy tune, but one that not many want to sing anymore this year! And what's with the "No place to go" bit in the song? Our kids have to go to school, don't they?

Once again it appears that Mother Nature is trying to play havoc with the school system. The Greenwich Public School calendar, which must be approved by the Board of Education, has June 23, 2011 as the last day of school for all students except 6th-graders who end on June 22 (they start one day earlier than other students with an orientation day). If you add up the planned days they total 187 but the calendar plans for five snow days, so the days in school is anticipated to be 182.

The State of Connecticut requires that public schools be in session for at least 180 days. The law doesn't define what a day is as far as half-days, full days, delayed openings or early realeases. However, it does require that a District provide at least 900 hours of instruction a year. So far this school year, were closed because of snow for four days. Remember, the delayed arrivals and early dismissals still count as a regular day.

So how does the math work out? We have just one day left. What are the options if end up using more than five snow days? The District could choose to only have 180 days and still meet the State of CT requirement. But, as we saw last year, sometimes Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor post snow season! Then what? The Greenwich Board of Education, clever people that they are, has a footnote in its calendar that states "If more snow/storm days are needed, they will be taken from either the remaining days in June or from the Spring Recess in April. Please plan accordingly."

The Board learned from last year that it must keep some options open but members also know that despite this warning whatever decision they make will be unpopular. When discussed at a meeting last year, it really was a decision that inevitably angered some parents. The parents who argued against reducing the April vacation in any way cited the need for family vacation time, potential financial losses from lost deposits and the need for a rest break for the children. Those who argued against extending the year cited summer activity start date commitments. Regardless of the decision made, working parents also had to struggle with changing needs for child care and/or transportation.

To also make things more complicated are other state requirements: the school year must be completed by June 30; students cannot attend weekend classes to make up missed days, and missed days cannot be recouped by extending the school day (more hours don't count). Talk about threading a needle.

WABC-Channel 7 Senior Meteorologist Bill Evans, who lives in Old Greenwich, said "Don't worry; kids will be out of school just in time for the 4th of July."

Is there any good news? Yes! Because the calendar was more than 185 days (182 days and 5 snow days), the Board was able to set the graduation date in January as a fixed date so it definitely will be no later than June 21.

We should thank Dr. Freund for his usage of delayed starts and early dismissals. While they can cause havoc with our schedules, especially for working parents, using delayed starts and early releases has saved us a few more lost days. For example, on Friday, Jan. 21, Greenwich Public Schools had a two-hour delayed opening while districts all around us closed for the day. Kudos to Dr. Freund for creativity and foresight!

What is foremost for Freund though is always safety:"I will call an emergency school closing when necessary. Safety comes first. Ask the person(s) praying for snow to please stop." Freund added that just like many residents have been doing, the District has been checking snow loads on the roofs and has been removing snow to be safe.

So hear this Mother Nature:  We know you are in charge, we are glad there won't be a drought, but our backs are all aching from shoveling; inside is no longer so delightful and we do have a place to go - school! And PS: My kids are no longer putting spoons under their pillows and wearing their PJs backwards and inside out in hopes there will be a snow day!