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Fredericksburg-area students snowed out of the classroom this winter Date published: 2/10/2010
In school divisions across the Fredericksburg region, finance officials haven't been the only ones focused on numbers lately.
Maintenance and administration personnel have been studying figures such as inches of snow, degrees below freezing and snow days accumulated. With additional snow last night and still more expected, many area systems closed schools today. And with subfreezing temperatures ahead, it doesn't take a crack statistician to calculate the odds of more snow days this week. Spotsylvania Assistant Superintendent James Meyer said high winds predicted for today, coupled with the snow already on tree branches and power lines, create the risk of electrical outages--especially with additional snow, he said. All this creates challenges for personnel who get schools ready to reopen. As of today, Spotsylvania students had taken eight snow days. Five of them were to be made up starting this Friday and then continuing on Monday, which is Presidents Day, March 12, April 1 and April 2. But if Spotsylvania's schools remain closed for the rest of the week, Friday's makeup day won't happen. Students don't make up their sixth through 10th snow days, school officials say. However, if students miss this entire week, their tally would hit 10 and any more days could be added to the school year at the discretion of the School Board. Stafford County students have missed nine days as of today, and school administrators have already decided to close again tomorrow for a 10th day off. The division's 2009-10 calendar calls for a makeup day on Presidents Day, but no decision had been made as of yesterday on whether it would be used that way. Other makeup days on the calendar include this Friday, April 2 and May 28--which are now early dismissal days--as well as April 19, June 21 and June 22. Superintendent David Sawyer said he would provide other options to the School Board on Monday and may have a recommendation by then. Options may include making up days during spring break--April 5 through 9--or adding time to the school day, said schools spokeswoman Valerie Cottongim. "It could include just about anything," Cottongim said. She said the division held school on a Saturday several years ago.
Date published: 2/10/2010
put school above their children's health and overall well-being. it's a great shame that so many have been brainwashed by slogans into believing "schooling" is the silver bullet for raising children to turn out a the adults parents hope to end up with and should trump all else. you will be disappointed.
I am shocked by "brighthearts" comment from yesterday that school "is not and should not be" the most important thing in people's lives. I must disagree--school should be the most important activity in our children's lives. Yes, they need activities, sports, family time, etc., but school is what is going to guarantee their future success. My kids will be in class when the days are made up. However, I hope the days will be before the SOL's so time is available to prepare.
project managers have experience, so their salaries wouldn't be correctly compared to starting teachers. http://www.nea.org/home/20620.htm traditionally, I have supported and even advocated for salary increases for teachers. in the current climate in spotsy, i think not.
I brought home extra work to do, and have spent part of each of the last 8 snow days doing some school work. The average teacher puts in 10-15 hours over "contract" hours, like many other professionals. The difference is other comperable professions pay significantly more for those positions. As to how to make it up, 1/2 days already count, and are needed for exams. Spring break wont work Many families will not change their travel plans. I can adjust lessons to still cover content, unless we get more snow.
I wouldn't have viewed the article about snow affecting area schools. Shocked that comments re; the article contained moaning from teachers & complaints about potential xtra time that might be required. BTW, we're the parents giving the class our time, buying xtra supplies & those teacher 'appreciation gifts'! I agree w/simply amazed. If you want to know how the comments turned in a different direction re: the article, read the whole thread!
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