Ask Mr. Answer Person: School cancellations and postponements

As you might imagine, Mr. Answer Person has had a lot of people wanting to talk with him about school cancellations and postponements.  So here goes:

Jan asks: "What happens when school starts two hours late?  Are the early classes just skipped or how are things made up?"

Mr. Answer Person says: The early classes are NOT skipped.  The schools have a schedule designed for shorter school days (including those days that classes dismiss early because of scheduled teacher in-service programs) and that schedule is a condensed schedule, but one that fits in every class.

Dave asks: "So just how long will kids be going to school this spring?"

Mr. Answer Person says: Classes will be held through Friday, May 27th—just before Memorial Day weekend.  Classes had originally been scheduled to end May 24th.

Jan asks: "What do the parents do when they both have to be at work at the regular time and can't do the usual arrangements with getting the kids to school?"

Mr. Answer Person says: Snowstorms are tough on everyone.  A two hour delay or a two hour early dismissal sends parents scrambling.  There's no one answer to how they cope.  Some have understanding bosses or flexible schedules and so are able to cover the change in plans.  Some rely on neighbors or relatives to give a helping hand.  Whatever system they use, parents are required to sign a form at the beginning of the school year that discloses what they will be doing.

School delays and cancellations are inconvenient for many people, no doubt.  But school officials also have the safety of the children at heart—they don't want to be responsible for sending kids out in cold or windy or snowy conditions that could possibly lead to accidents or even more serious situations.

So Mr. Answer Person would like to make a plea for greater understanding and less complaining about the job that school superintendents are required to do.  No matter what decision they make, there will be people grumbling about it.  However, I think we can all agree that the safety of the children ought to be the foremost consideration.