Making Up days after the Storm
At last night’s Board of Education meeting the Board approved my recommendations to modify the school calendar to make up for the 6 days (7 in the HS) lost due to Hurricane Sandy. Unfortunately it means that we must shorten the February break. I am truly sorry for any inconvenience and hardship that you might incur due to this decision. Obviously this was a difficult decision and there are not a lot of options. While the Commissioner of Education can waive this rule districts MUST exhaust any and all ‘vacation’ days before any waiver is granted. https://stateaid.nysed.gov/attendance/180_day_reminder_013111.htm
The reasoning is as follows:
- The State requirement to receive State Aid is 180 days. Superintendent conference days are included in the 180
- Mineola has 182 instructional days and 2 Superintendent conference days = 184
- So technically we are 4 days “over” the State aid requirement
- Right now- ASSUMING there are no more snow days – we can met the 180 requirement as follows:
- 182 instructional days + 1 Sup’t conference day (August 28) = 183
- Hurricane Sandy 5 days and 1 Snow day = minus 6 days
- Now at 177. ADD
- November 6 as instructional day = 178
- Claim snow day (May 24) back = 179
- Take March 25 as a school day = 180
- Move the November 6 Sup’t conference day to June 24 = 181- This would account for the HS non-attendance on Monday November 5
- Issues-
- Right now the 2 school days in August do NOT count toward the 180 requirement
- We have formally asked for a change in this decision
- Right now the 2 school days in August do NOT count toward the 180 requirement
- There is no ‘wiggle room’. If we have another snow day we will need to take another day
- Decision:
- Shorten the February break and declare the other days as snow days
- Eliminate the second Superintendent conference day
- Reasoning:
- I do believe we will have additional snow days this year
- Reasoning:
- Therefore- as of today Schools will be OPEN on:
- May 24th
- February 22
- February 21 (this maintains 180 instructional days)
- The following are snow make-up days. Schools are closed unless we need a make-up:
- February 20
- February 19
- If it snows between February and March we might need to claim March 25
- Post April 2, we will apply for the waiver from the commissioner.
Posted in Around the District 12 years ago at 9:06 am. 21 comments
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I think you made a good decision taking all the issues into account. Thank you,
the “Big 5″ cities do not have the same regulations as all of the other districts in the State
You mentioned that is is not permissible to add after the last day of regents I was just wondering why? The city goes for 3 day after the last day of regents.
Having more instructional days than the State minimum is a good thing! Whether the State recognizes the days doesn’t change the need for them. From my perspective the more time teachers have with students the better. In my opinion we already have too many days off. Thanksgiving is next Thursday and we have only had 3 complete 5 day weeks this year. This lack of continuity doesn’t bode well for learning. I also think that as we continue to partner with other states to create assessments (PARC) we will also need to create common calendars among and between States.
Just curious, is there any specific reason why our teachers contract is for 182 instructional days when the state only requires 180 days? Maybe this needs to be reevaluated. Sadly we will now have many people pissed off that there summer break, especially Labor Day weekend was cut short for 2 days that don’t even count as instructional days.
The Mineola Teachers Contract has 182 instructional days for students- more than the State requires. In addition the contract calls for 2 professional conference days. According to the State all schools days (instructional or conference) must occur between Labor day and the last regents day. Since they only require 180 they do not count days that occur outside that time period. We started early to get our additional days in. Since they didn’t count toward the State total it didn’t matter. If we did not start in August we would have shorter breaks to get the 184 in between Labor day and the last regents exam. We lost 6 days with Sandy and snow. we need to make at least 180 of the 184 up. That is why we are shortening the February break. If you look at the modified calendar on teh web page- the days are accounted for on the side margin. If the State does not count the August days we would need to make up AN ADDITIONAL two days – not ‘get them back”
I really do not understand why we had school in August if they were never going to count towards the school year. But, if the state allows them to count, will we get back the two days from February break?
Just out of curiousity, why arent the two days in August that the kids were in school count towards the 180 requirement? Wasnt that the reason why they went back to school before Labor Day?
We were aware all along the 2 days in August didn’t count toward the 180 State requirement. Since we have 182 instructional days and 2 more conference days it was impossible to get all 184 between Labor day and the last regents day. This year, since it was particularly difficult the State allowed for conference days in August to count toward the 180. I am hopeful they will see the logic in allowing the instructional days to count as well,
Can you please explain why the two days in August do not count towards the 180 days of school?
Thank you, Dr. Nagler and the Board of Education, for making a reasonable compromise in the interest of our Marching Band while acknowledging the educational needs of the entire school district. I know the senior class appreciates it. I also know how hard it is to make up instructional time. The day count is more than aid and accreditation; teaching takes time.
As many of us have experienced lately, ordinary greetings have grown to, “How did your family do in the storm?” Leaving work today, I learned that a woman I see every day is from Copaigue. I told her how much we enjoyed her high school’s marching band, and how we saw them just an hour before we got our own band on the road in Syracuse, the evening before Sandy hit. Her eyes filled, “What some of those kids came home to…” We are blessed beyond measure.
Thank you to all involved in working out a solution for the trip to Disney. Your time and effort put forth is truly appreciated
March 25 is not a religious holiday, April 1st is. We could choose to use April 1st instead of the 25th, and make accommodations for those students and staff that are observant.
Just out of curiosity, what about April 1st instead of March 25th if that scenario should play out?
It is not permissible to add student attendance days after the last day of regents. As always, parents have the right to make decisions that are in the best interests of their children and families. I understand that parents may choose to maintain their current vacation plans and will choose not to send their children to school during those days.
We will hold the Disney trip this year with the following modifications:
• Shorten the trip from 5 nights to 4 nights.
• Students will arrive back in Mineola on February 21
• Students MUST attend classes on Friday February 22
o Currently that will mean they will miss one day of school
• If we use snow days on Tuesday 2/19 and/or Wednesday 2/20 students will be required to make up work electronically
o Teachers will post class notes and homework for that days lesson and marching band student will be required to complete those assignments that evening
I understand the grueling decision that our district leaders had to make. We could never have forseen this horrible natural disaster happening and have known the effects it would have had on us. None of us want this to happen and we should be very grateful that our schools are still standing and we only need to make up a few days unlike those poor children who have been hardest hit by Sandy. Kids who have been displaced from their schools and have missed so much more than our kids. They are on the other side of this argument and would be grateful to get back to the normalcy of school. It is a small sacrifice we have to make in the grand scheme of things. Perspective people, perspective. Granted, it is easy for me to say because I do not have unrefundable tickets to go anywhere, so to those who do I completely understand your dilemna. Schools will be open if you choose for your children not to be there that is your decision as a parent. What I do believe would be fair is that no tests or quizzes be given or projects or assignments be due on those days due to the fact that many people have made travel plans that can not be cancelled. I understand having to open to make up days but the district should be understanding.
For the Marching Band parents that were not present at the meeting, could you please let us know what decisions and/or possibilities are on the table in terms of the Disney trip?
I believe that all aspects were given great consideration and realize decisions like this are never easy. I was just wondering what options, if any, are available.
Are the marching band and colorguard still going to be able to go to Disney during February break and be excused from those days of school? I personally along with other parents and families purchased our airline tickets in July to insure we have our seats to support the students in Disney. We have rearranged schedules and vacation from work to go and support the students. Please do not take this away from them. I as well as many others look forward to your response.
Hi Dr. Nagler – I totally understand the predicament, but as you will likely imagine, many will have travel plans that will not be able to be refunded. My family falls into that category for the February break. WIth your plan above, I will assume that teachers will go to the necessary lengths to make sure that students have a clear path to making up any missed work necessary and without impact to the students who are by-products of this mess. I, for one, would rather see the days just tacked on to the end of the school year but i’m sure that impacts lots of others as well. No easy answer on this one i’m sure. -TRev
Dear Dr. Nagler:
I understand there is no easy way around this issue, however, please be aware that the marching band’s Disney trip is scheduled during the Feb. break, and the kids are not due back until Feb. 22nd approximately 3:00 PM. I have paid for 2 of my kids who are attending the trip and in addition I have booked and paid for my flight and package (all non-refundable or changeable). I also know of other parents who have done the same. I would greatly appreciate if you would consider another alternative. Or maybe compromise and have school on Feb. 22 only and replace the Feb. 21st date with another, so that the students are only pulled from school for 1 day.
Thank you.
Clara