WASHINGTON – When severe weather strikes, kids enjoy staying home from school. But some area students must make up at least some of the days that schools have been closed.
Students in Alexandria City Schools are among those who have already lost five days to bad weather this school year, the most in the area.
The Alexandria School Board is expected to vote Thursday night on a recommendation from school administrators to make up those days by canceling three currently scheduled teacher work days. For most students and teachers these teacher work days are Jan. 31, March 14 and April 11.
A few Alexandria schools operate on a modified calendar. Those teacher work days proposed for cancellation are Feb. 28, March 21 and May 9.
Fairfax County students have also lost five days of classes this school year. Two of these days must be made up, so classes will be held on Presidents Day, Feb. 17 and also on April 7, a previously scheduled student holiday.
Schools have been closed four days for inclement weather so far this school year in Montgomery, Prince George’s and Charles counties. Each of these Maryland school systems build in four extra days to their school calendars to accommodate bad weather. While the state requires 180 days of classes, they schedule 184.
So the snow days mean the schools will go the distance in June and complete the entire school calendar. Montgomery County’s last day of school is currently scheduled for June 12, Prince George’s is June 11 and Charles is June 18.
Arlington County students have missed three days so far and make up days are not needed until there are more than four snow days called.
D.C. students have been out three days for bad weather so far this school year. Two days must be made up.
District school officials have not yet decided whether these days will be scheduled at the end of the school year on June 20 and June 23 or earlier within the school year.
Find links to your school system’s calendar here:
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