Schools announce make-up days

  • By Nick Sabo
  • April 14, 2014
  • 377
                        
Schools have set their end of year calendars after state lawmakers have settled the long-running debate over additional calamity days. To make up for days lost to severe cold and snow, West Holmes School District has extended its school year to May 30, and East Holmes’ last day will be Ascension Day, May 29. The school districts announced the new calendars following Gov. John Kasich’s signing off on legislation allowing schools to forgive an additional four calamity days. The legislation was introduced to give schools relief from missing so many days due to the unusually harsh 2013-2014 winter. Both districts took 11 calamity days in the 2013-2014 school year. East Holmes’s make-up days will begin with the last day of its Easter break, April 21. The remainder of the days will be made up May 27, 28, and 29. Seniors will be excused from the last three make-up days. West Holmes has already made up two days over spring break and will make up two more days May 29 and 30. West Holmes has not yet set the final day for seniors, Superintendent Kris Perone said. East Holmes’ last day will be one of picnics and activities for students who choose to come in. East Holmes Superintendent Joe Edinger said the district will respect students who view May 29, Ascension Day, as a religious holiday. Ascension Day is set on the calendar similar to Easter and moves from year to year. Edinger said the day often falls during the school year, and Amish students do not attend classes that day. This year, Ascension Day fell outside the school calendar, and had it not been for the make-up days, would not have been an issue, Edinger said. “I thought we wouldn’t have to worry about it this year,” Edinger said. “It will be a scheduled school day, but, as usual, our Amish students will not be in.” The day after Easter is usually a day off, giving families a day of travel time home after visiting with relatives on Easter Sunday. Edinger said the day of travel time “is less important’ than keeping school open too late in the year. Both districts have further moved back the date for standardized testing one week. Julie Snyder, director of student services at West Holmes, said the extra days to prepare students for testing is appreciated. “Anytime we can provide more instruction before the test is beneficial,” Snyder said. “I think our teachers have done a wonderful job” despite the interruptions caused by the winter weather, Snyder said. Drivers should be mindful of the extra school days, as buses will be on the road through the end of May and school zones will continue to be restricted speed zones during school hours.


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