MIDDLETOWN, N.J. — Another large-scale snow storm means more make-up days and a shorter summer for teacher, students (and parents) across the Garden State.
Pascack Valley students will make up yesterday’s snow day online; the move has set off a statewide debate concerning how, if it all, to address lost time due to weather-related closings.
School closings cause districts to shorten spring break or push into the summer vacation period, angering some parents who have family vacation plans or inconveniencing children or teachers with summer employment prospects.
Currently, the New Jersey Department of Education requires all state public schools to be in session for at least 180 calendar days.
The former mayor of Middletown Township (Monmouth County), New Jersey knows how he’d start to fix the problem.
“First, let me say I applaud the district for canceling school with this crazy storm. Erring on the side of safety is always the best decision. Many parents are complaining that students will now lose Easter break days or go to school almost until July,” said Committeeman Tony Fiore, a member of his township’s committee, on social media this Thursday. “Here’s is my question. Why is NJ the only state in America to give two days off in November for a teacher’s convention? Why can’t that convention be held during the summer? That would bank two more Northeast weather days.”
The politically-potent New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) hosts its annual convention in Atlantic City every year, right after election day, at which it hosts a variety of liberal-themed workshops including one last year titled “Overcoming the Trump Effect: How to Address Bullying Today.”
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