Unusual patterns of hazardous weather have caused school closures for many area students. Districts must now find time to make up the missed days throughout the rest of the year.
Eugene 4J students have already enjoyed six extra days of freedom this year on account of hazardous weather conditions. School district employees are less enthusiastic as they try to figure out how to make up the lost class time. Spokesperson Kerry Delf says they’re considering several answers including extending the school year into summer.
“There are other no-school days throughout the calendar. There is the potential for adding instructional time rather than full days,” says Delf. “All of those possibilities are under discussion but we will get the information out to parents as soon as possible as soon as there is an answer about what the changes to the calendar will be.”
Delf says the decision to close schools due to weather conditions is a tough one. The decision is based on safety but has to be balanced with the need to keep kids in school for the required number of days. The district hopes there will be no further school closures this year, but continues to monitor weather conditions. Delf encourages parents to subscribe to text alerts or to check the district website for updates on school closures.