GCSC schedules make-up days

Thursday, February 10, 2011

GREENCASTLE -- Even with six days missed this winter for inclement weather, Greencastle Community Schools will not be in session past the scheduled graduation date of May 27, for now.

The Greencastle School Board voted in favor of a snow make-up day plan presented by superintendent Bob Green at Wednesday's monthly meeting.

One of the missed days was already made up on Martin Luther King Day, but the five days missed since the beginning of last week still need to be made up.

"We had an unprecedented ice storm," Green said. "I've been in this business for a long time and I was a student for a long time, and I've never seen an ice storm this severe."

Under the new plan, the three built-in snow days of April 11 and 18 and May 9 will be utilized. Additionally, school will be in session on President's Day (Feb. 21) and May 27.

With the last day of school on graduation day, the corporation is out of opportunities to make up any more days without either going after graduation or moving it back.

"Provided we don't miss anymore, we should get through by graduation," Green said.

Both Green and GHS principal Randy Corn characterized last year's situation of asking seniors to come back for three days after the graduation ceremony as "difficult."

Green also reported that State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett is not forgiving any missed days, in spite of the winter storm. Students must attend 180 days per year, high school seniors included.

Under this plan, the end of the current grading period is moved back to March 18, with report cards distributed the week of March 28, following spring break.

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  • Give me a break Benedict. Someone is always willing to throw the race card.

    -- Posted by exhoosier2 on Thu, Feb 10, 2011, at 7:34 AM
  • Well Said exhoosier2! I,too, am tired of hearing these race remarks. It is a simple fact that if we have a snow day we will make them up on the Jan. and Feb. holidays. I am sure the kids don't want to go to school any longer in the school year than they have to! And you know what, if people would quit talking about black people, white people, yellow people, etc. and just say Americans---it would be a better country. Another good word is Christians!!!!!

    -- Posted by interested party on Thu, Feb 10, 2011, at 8:36 AM
  • I agree exhoosier!!!

    -- Posted by yachtsman on Thu, Feb 10, 2011, at 8:47 AM
  • This topic should not be about race. It should be about the short-sightedness of our governor and superintendent. It puts the local school authorities in a bad situation. They have to decide what can be a life and death situation. There first thought should be to the safety of the students. Make up days at the end of the school year are not very productive.

    -- Posted by Abigailone on Thu, Feb 10, 2011, at 1:17 PM
  • When I say superintendent, I am speaking of Tony Bennett, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Indiana.

    -- Posted by Abigailone on Thu, Feb 10, 2011, at 1:20 PM
  • Amen Abigailone. Seems to me the people teaching our students were able to stay home and be safe on snow days without making them up and went on to become excellent teachers. Also, am I correct that the Greencastle School Calendar said President's Day was NOT AN OPTION to use as a make up day.

    -- Posted by worthless on Thu, Feb 10, 2011, at 3:31 PM
  • Benedick is right. Notice how the MLK Day events in Greencastle have gone away. Does the school system host any special programs? There was no blink about using that day as a make-up, but there was consideration about using Presidents Day. And don't be naive about the race issue. "Play the race card." You played it when you used that phrase. You'll use race when it's convenient for you. Everyone does it. Black, White, others ... As good or noble as our ideals or intentions are, race exists. Embrace it. Embrace everyone. Sigh.

    -- Posted by Sour Grapes on Thu, Feb 10, 2011, at 9:58 PM
  • MLK Day and Presidents Day have always been used to make up snow days. I'm not sure why there is so much confusion over this. The school calender has MLK day marked as snow now but I am sure at the beginning of the school year it was listed as no school.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Fri, Feb 11, 2011, at 9:30 AM
  • Given the majority of the schools in our state were shut down because of weather last week, our govenor and superintendent should waive the days missed. When counties were under a level 1 emergency, we had no choice. Both of them also need to consider the students who attend summer school. Most summer school programs start within a week of the local schools ending. If schools have to add three and four days to the end of their calendar, they could be depriving those students the opportunity. And before anyone makes a comment about those students, there are many who take summer school classes to gain credits for classes they are unable to fit into their regular school schedule.

    -- Posted by What next on Fri, Feb 11, 2011, at 11:54 AM
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