Wayland Schools Poll Parents On October Snow Make-Up Days

Wayland Public Schools Superintendent Paul Stein is asking families to vote on a possible modified school year schedule that could impact December break or the last day of classes in June.

Thanks to the Oct. 29 nor'easter that caused extensive power outages and damage, Wayland Schools closed on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Those two early season snow days have already pushed the last day of classes for Wayland students to Thursday, June 21, in order to make up the days.

In an email to ListServ subscribers, Stein pointed out that this means that calling off school for more than one more day throughout the rest of the year would push the final day of classes to Monday, June 25.

"This, in turn, may impact summer plans for many students and their families," Stein wrote in his email.

A proposal to adjust the December break in order to make up either one or two already-taken snow days is on the table, and Stein is asking for votes to determine the best course of action.

Currently, December break runs from Dec. 22-Jan. 2, with classes resuming on Jan. 3. Options being discussed include:

• Keep schools closed on Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23 (no change to the current December break schedule).
• Keep schools open on Thursday, Dec. 22. (Make up one day)
• Keep schools open on Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23. (Make up two days)
• No preference; anything is fine with me.

Stein acknowledged that changing the December vacation dates at this point could impact student and faculty plans already in place.

"Whichever plan is chosen, I believe that students should not be penalized for plans already made for the December break," Stein wrote.

The move to the new high school building, which is scheduled to take place during December break, wouldn't be affected either, Stein said in a later email to Patch.

Stein said he specifically checked how the December break change could impact a move to the high school and was told "it will not impact the move to the new high school, as the construction schedule has gone very well."

"It will initially slow the process in which the old high school is taken down, but the construction company felt that it could work with the loss of just two days," Stein said via email.

Parents are asked to vote their preference in an online poll available here. Votes must be entered by Tuesday, Nov. 15.