Emily Wood
Reporter
When Hurricane Irene stormed through New Canaan on Aug. 27 and left most of the town without power, it forced the Board of Education to postpone the first day of the school year until after Labor Day. The Board then sought to find ways to modify the school calendar. The board met three times before finally approving a modification suggested by the NCPS administration.
At the Oct. 3 Board meeting, the administration approved the plan presented by Superintendent David Abbey. This includes moving the teacher training day scheduled on Apr. 9 to the end of the school year, changing it to a full school day for students. After the meeting, the last day of school was set to be June 19. However, the snow storm on Oct. 29 gave students an unexpected two snow days, leaving NCPS with only three extra days before cutting into April break.
The NCPS calendar year is 182 days, whereas the state only requires 180. These extra two days, if necessary, will also be used to make up the ones that were lost. “Taking the state law into consideration, we need 180 days of school, but it is important for kids to be in school as much as possible,” Dr. Abbey said. “I feel in this tough situation, this is the best solution we could hope for. These extra [two]days give us a nice cushion.”
As for the student perspective on the changes in the calendar, most of their priorities lie with their vacation plans. “I would not go to school, I would be in Disneyland,” sophomore Katie O’Sullivan said.
Although some students may have similar sentiments, Dr. Luizzi made it clear that, despite all recent changes to the calendar, the attendance policy will stay the same. “I am expecting everyone to do everything they can to be here,” Dr. Luizzi said.
The common misconception among the majority of the student body was that, if the hurricane had been declared a state of emergency, then the lost days would not have to be made up.
Though some thought otherwise, First Selectman Jeb Walker did declare a state of emergency during the hurricane. This did not, however, effect the NCPS school calendar and the days lost.
“Given the conditions in town, including lack of power at our schools, we would still have closed schools regardless of whether a state of emergency had been declared,” Dr. Abbey said.
