For the first time, Connecticut school districts are allowed to treat weather-related closings as remote learning days, if they so choose. Last month the State Board of Education (SBE) approved this change for the 2020-21 school year.
The decision to choose remote learning versus making up the day at the end of the year rests with the superintendent, in consultation with local officials.
So far districts are making different plans as to whether they’ll choose remote school instead of a snow day.
Glastonbury Superintendent Alan Bookman has already informed staff and families that he plans to make use of the new policy approved by the SBE.
“Days during the school year, days in November, December, January, February, are truly educationally more valuable than days in June. When you get to June, it gets hot. Students get tired,” said Bookman.
Meanwhile, Litchfield and Region 6 Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Leone has guaranteed his districts will have at least two snow days.
“I think we all need to pause and reflect and remember what it was like to be a child,” Leone said. “In a time of great uncertainty providing some normalcy towards our kids is essential.”
