Old Man Winter has certainly had his influence on the Tabernacle School District and Lenape Regional High School District calendars this year, and, if it continues, spring break plans may be affected.
“We’ve certainly had our fill of winter weather this year, there’s no doubt,” Tabernacle School District Superintendent George Rafferty said.
Spring break is scheduled to close Tabernacle’s schools for a total of six days — Friday April 18 and Monday April 21 through Friday April 25. Rafferty said he is hopeful spring break can remain intact.
“We built in four snow days as a part of the school’s calendar before the year and as of now we have used all four of those days. Originally, June 19 was scheduled as the last day for students; it is now June 25,” Rafferty said.
The Lenape Regional High School District held a special Board of Education meeting on Feb. 10 to discuss the school calendar.
The meeting was called to allow the board to approve an amended school calendar so a snow day could be made up on Presidents Day, Feb. 17.
The amended calendar also listed the dates snow days will be made up if needed. The district has used four snow days so far this year.
The first three are to be made up on June 16, June 17 and June 18. The district made up its fourth snow day on Feb. 17 and will make up its fifth snow day on June 19.
If a sixth snow day is necessary, it will be made up on June 20. Any additional snow days will be made up during spring break, which is the week of April 21. The school district will take away from spring break last in hopes of keeping the full week off intact.
Superintendent Carol Birnbohm issued a letter posted on the district’s website following the Board of Education’s approval of the amended calendar, saying how this winter has been out of the ordinary as far as the number of school days affected by weather.
“We are aware that some families take advantage of Presidents Day weekend to vacation or visit colleges and universities and apologize for any disruption to your plans,” Birnbohm said. “Although we do weigh the impact of school closings and make-up days on families, our decisions are based on what is best for the safety and education of our students.”
For students who were not able to attend school on Presidents Day due to college visitations or other previous travel plans, excused absences were accepted as long as the student brought proper documentation to their respective school.
In other news:
The board of education will hold a special meeting on Monday, March 10 to allow public discussion on the district’s preliminary budget. Residents will have the opportunity to review and comment on the budget before it is adopted at the board’s regular meeting scheduled for March 17.
