Sachem Schools Cut 4 Days From Winter Break

The Sachem Board of Education has voted to slash four days from Winter Break in February to make up for days lost to Hurricane Sandy, according to a district press release. 

The new school calendar mimics what BOCES has decided to do so students that go to BOCES will be aligned with the rest of the district, board trustee Michael Isernia told Patch.  

Full release

At the recommendation of Sachem Superintendent James Nolan, the Sachem Central School District Board of Education voted on a ruling for how the district will make up the seven instructional days lost due to Hurricane Sandy during Wednesday’s board work session.

Sachem Schools will be open during February break from Tuesday, Feb. 19 through Friday, Feb. 22, and also on Monday, April 1.

The seven instructional days lost include 10/29, 10/30, 10/31, 11/1, 11/2, 11/5, 11/8. The school calendar includes 180 days of instruction and three teacher conference days for a total of 183 days. New York State requires a total of 180 days to avoid a penalty in State Aid.

“This would have us at 181 days which would meet the state requirements, still leave us with one snow day, but most importantly, allow us to make up for lost instructional time,” Nolan said in a statement. “I fully understand that both employees and students may already have vacation plans and that there is the possibility of absenteeism, but I believe this is the most proactive win/win scenario possible at this time.”

If Sachem does find itself in need of a snow day, Mr. Nolan recommended the following:

• 2 snow days – Open 3/25
• 3 snow days – Open 3/25 and 3/27
• 4 snow days – Open 3/25, 3/27 and 3/28

According to Nolan, the school district has been told by the state that extending school days would not be allowable, and even if the state were to forgive lost time, they would require Sachem to first exhaust all possible vacation/recess time.

“Obviously, this is not an easy decision, nor did we anticipate or bring this upon ourselves,” said Nolan. “The key is to work interdependently, try our very best to understand, and continue to provide an environment that will enable our students to meet with success and become the very best version of themselves.”