CCSD Makeup Days Scheduled For February Break

CANTON, GA -- The Cherokee County School District has announced it will use three of the five days reserved for February break to make up missed class time due to this month's winter weather. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower on Monday revealed the district's decision to use Feb. 21, 22 and 23 as inclement weather makeup days for all students.

In a letter sent home to parents, Hightower said the district weighed the pros and cons of the options it considered: use of its state waiver to excuse the four days missed last week (which would have brought the total number of days missed to seven); lengthen the school day by several minutes to make up the missed four days or use online recovery methods; use three days set aside for February break; or modify the current calendar to make up days during Spring Break or by extending the 2017-18 school year into the last week of May.

After reviewing these options, Hightower said using the February break was the "best option." The February break will now consist of a four-day weekend, with schools closed Feb. 19-20 and reopening Feb. 21-23. The fourth day missed this month will be forgiven for students, but staff members will be required to make up this time.

"We understand that some families have already committed to travel plans during February Break and may be unable to reschedule without hardship," Hightower said in his letter. "We ask those parents to please communicate with their child's teacher about assignments and make up work to be completed upon return to school the following week."

Hightower noted CCSD is committed to pursuing options that would allow for teaching and learning to continue online while schools are closed due to inclement weather. To that end, he noted some educators took advantage of the system's Canvas learning management system and other resources to carry out their duties. However, the system is required to carry out its district wide plan and related training before it can successfully launch the program next school year.

Image via Shutterstock