Sandy Reshapes Lakeland Schools Calendar

Lakeland Central School District students lost five days of school due to Hurricane Sandy and school officials have made several changes to the 2012-2013 school calendar. 

Two days, which were originally scheduled as Superintendent's Conference Days, were taken back and will be used as instructional days. Friday, Feb. 15 and Friday, May 24 are now student attendance days.

After the lost days due to Sandy and the snow day on Jan. 16, the district now has one day available for snow days before having to consider taking time from the spring recess, said James VanDevelde, spokesperson for the Lakeland Central School District. 

According to the Lakeland school calendar, spring recess is from March 25 to March 29. 

New York State attendance requirements call for at least 180 days of attendance – of which four can be conference days. Lakeland started with 187 instruction days in the calendar. With the two restored days, that leaves them at 178. 

"We've taken three conference days and still have one scheduled," VanDevelde said. 

Last year, the school district had one snow day closing after the October storm. 

"We are hopeful for a mild winter," VanDevelde said. "I think everyone understands that this has been a unique year due to Hurricane Sandy. We will continue to work together with our staff and community to ensure the best instructional program we can this school year."

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