In response to residents’ questions about the recent school closings due to the severe weather, the district has compiled a list of frequently asked questions:
Are there guidelines school districts must meet in order to reopen schools after a weather event like Hurricane Sandy?
Yes. The State Education Department (SED) issued a memo to all State school superintendents on Nov. 6 outlining conditions that needed to be met before schools could reopen safely to students after Hurricane Sandy.
The memo indicated that school buildings must have power, potable water and functioning bathroom facilities, communications capability (telephone, cell phone, Internet) and the confirmed operational support of local emergency entities such as fire and police departments and ambulance service. The memo is available at: http://usny.nysed.gov/docs/recovering-from-hurricane-sandy.pdf.
How is the school district planning to make up the lost school days due to the recent severe weather?
Garden City’s Board of Education is currently considering its options. “Although no decision has been reached yet,” explained Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen, “three days during the February break, the 20, 21 and 22, are receiving serious consideration. A decision by the Board of Education is anticipated by the December meetings.”
How many days must a school district be in session in New York State?
New York State law requires 180 days of instruction, but SED can excuse up to 5 days “due to extraordinary circumstances.” These issues were addressed in the recent Severe Weather memo.
As much as is practicable, SED expects school districts to make an effort to make up the lost days by utilizing vacation days. Special legislation has been introduced to extend the waiver for 10 days in the case of Hurricane Sandy, however, it is not likely that the State Legislature will consider the waiver until its return to full session in January, and there is no guarantee of passage. The State has been reluctant to grant waivers in the past.
The district thanks the community for its patience in light of the difficult circumstances presented by the recent severe weather.
A special Board of Education meeting Monday evening in the Administration Building will discuss modifying the 2012-13 school calendar to address the days lost due to Hurricane Sandy.
Submitted by the Garden City School District
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FAQs: Garden City Public Schools Instructional Days
In response to residents’ questions about the recent school closings due to the severe weather, the district compiled a list of FAQs.
In response to residents’ questions about the recent school closings due to the severe weather, the district has compiled a list of FAQs.
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pat conway June 12, 2013 at 02:10 pm
just reading Jane Goodall with my son for school and came across this quote of an amazing woman…Read More "every individual matters, every individual has a role to play, every individual makes a difference." that is what makes our nation, our village so great everyone has an opinion whether we agree with it or not. It just saddens me to think some may not voice their opinion in the future because of the rather harsh comments which I'm sure were just meant to get a point across rather than be hurtful. Garden City residents are not afraid to get involved, to stand up for what they believe in and I am proud to live here.
GcSupporter#2 June 12, 2013 at 04:15 pm
"If there is no discipline, there is anarchy. Good citizenship demands attention to…Read More responsibilities as well as rights."
- Principal Joe Clark
pat conway June 12, 2013 at 05:00 pm
Thank you GcSupporter#2 I love quotes! tells so much about the person and their beliefs and life...I…Read More had to look up Principal Joe Clark after that....definitely a man I'd like to learn more about. I always try to use quotes with my children and their school work - I think the spoken and written word of others is so important!