Snow Days Now Could Mean Summer School Later

By Mary McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/27/03)

Students across Northern Virginia were ecstatic to have up to an entire week off of school, but that happiness probably will not last long once they realize they might not have a spring break and the school year could continue into the middle of June.

Schools are required to be in session for 180 days in an academic year. In the expectation of some weather-related closings, the diocese plans a 183-day year.

Even before the President’s Day storm, many schools had already used their three allotted snow days. By the end of the week, Arlington County schools had missed eight days as a result of snow. Another unexpected dusting of snow on Feb. 26 will only exasberate the situation.

Principals at diocesan schools are now faced with the task of compensating for lost time. On Feb. 13, Dr. Timothy McNiff, diocesan superintendent of schools, sent a memo to diocesan principals outlining the guidelines for "snow days."

Diocesan schools will have to make up the first five days of school that were cancelled because of inclement weather. In accordance with Virginia state law, schools are not required to make up the sixth through the 10th days of weather-related closings. If school is cancelled for more than 10 days, every day after the 10th must be made up.

Students at St. John the Evangelist School in Warrenton have missed the most days due to inclement weather. They have had 12 days cancelled, almost two and a half weeks of classes.

Epiphany School in Culpepper has had to close 11 days so far this school year. According to Principal Barbara Terry, because three snow days are already built into the school calendar, only three will have to be made up. School will be held on three days that were previously Easter Break, April 16-18.

In Stafford County, St. William of York School has missed a total of nine days this year. School officials have not yet made plans for making up the days missed. They are waiting to see if they will miss any more days.

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