Here is some news to harsh the buzz that kids get from riding scooters over downed trees: After NYC cancelled five days of public school during Hurricane Sandy, it became clear the city would fall below the state-mandated 180 days of school—so now the Department of Education announced that three days during the February winter break would be taken away for make-up class days for students, teachers and faculty.
NYC closed schools on Monday, October 29, the day the storm hit, and as the appalling level of destruction became apparent, schools were closed for the rest of the week, through November 2. Now, February 20, 21, 22 of next year, part of the February break, will be school days. The NY Times reports, "The city and unions have also agreed to convert a half-day in June into a full day."
The Department of Education said, "Teachers, principals and the school community made an extraordinary effort to get our schools back online after the storm, and by working together, we were able to open most schools with minimal disruption. It is just as important that we recover the time lost, and this agreement will provide students with additional class instruction." United Federation of Teachers president Michael Mulgrew added, "We have to hope there's no serious snow this year." Aw, remember snow?
Juan Brea, PTA president at PS 11 in Chelsea, told the NY Times that he was disappointed, pointing out that many teachers, administrators and parents planned vacations, "Many were affected by Sandy. It’s not like those days with no gas, no power, no Internet were vacation days for them." However, Brittany Beck, who teaches at a Bay Ridge high school and had been considering a February trip, "I think it's a logical decision. Especially for Regents courses, you want that instructional time before the test... Just finding that rhythm and make sure you stay on track is really important."
